The lineage of Centenary College of Louisiana dates back to 1825, when the College of
Louisiana was opened in Jackson, Louisiana. The school enjoyed early success, but struggled financially until Centenary College of Clinton, Mississippi (founded 1837) agreed to merge with the Jackson campus,
creating Centenary College of Louisiana in 1845. The college prospered during that time,
which included enrollment of later Senator and Confederate President Jefferson Davis for two years. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, the college issued the following proclimation:
"Students off to war, and may God bless the right!" During this time, the Jackson campus was used as a Confederate hospital, and
was sacked upon arrival of Union troops in
1864.Never regaining the footing it had in the 1840s and 1850s, the college moved to Shreveport in 1908 and immediately enjoyed success.
President George Sexton outlined
campus growth and prosperity in the 1920s and 1930s, including the architectural design that largely remains today. During that time, Centenary was a football powerhouse, whose fame included wins over LSU, Texas, and Notre Dame.The academic reputation of Centenary has remained strong since the 1920s. Centenary is now regularly found at the top of its
category in the annual college and
university rankings published by U.S. News and
World Report magazine.