SHREVEPORT, La. — Centenary College of Louisiana has broken ground on the first phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Mickle Hall Science Building, launching a project supported by a $10 million federal appropriation announced earlier this year.
College officials, including President Dr. Christopher Holoman, Board of Trustees President Ross Barrett and School of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Scott Chirhart, marked the June 22 groundbreaking ceremony with a ceremonial shovel turning outside the building.
The initial phase of construction will add an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrance and accessibility ramp while also demolishing the building’s first and fourth floors to prepare for broader structural improvements.
Built in 1947, Mickle Hall is one of the campus’s landmark academic buildings and currently houses Centenary’s health sciences programs, an area that college officials say has helped drive student enrollment growth.
“This groundbreaking marks an important step forward in honoring Mickle Hall’s legacy while transforming it into a state-of-the-art learning environment for future generations of Centenary students,” Holoman said. “With this investment, we are strengthening both our academic programs and our commitment to accessibility, innovation, and community impact.”
The renovation is part of Centenary’s broader effort to modernize academic facilities while preserving the character of its historic campus.
Chirhart said the project will benefit both students and the state’s healthcare workforce.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents more than a renovation; it’s an investment in the training of our students and in the future of healthcare in Louisiana,” Chirhart said. “This space will empower our students to learn, innovate, and lead in a rapidly evolving scientific world.”
College officials plan to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking completion of the first phase following the annual President’s Convocation on Aug. 25.
The Mickle Hall project is the second major construction initiative completed or underway at Centenary in the past two years. In 2025, the college completed Bicentennial Village, a new townhome-style student housing development.
Centenary said the combined investments are intended to enhance the student experience while generating construction-related economic activity and jobs in the Shreveport area.
Kyle Hand, vice president of construction services at Hand Construction, said the company is partnering with Centenary and Somdal Associates on the renovation.
“Centenary just celebrated its bicentennial continuing 200 years of education and service,” Hand said. “This is a milestone that bridges a remarkable legacy with an ambitious vision for the future.”
The renovation comes as Centenary continues investing in campus infrastructure and academic facilities as part of its long-term growth strategy.