Centenary College of Louisiana today broke ground on the first phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Mickle Hall Science Building. The first phase will introduce an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant entrance, including a new accessibility ramp, along with the demolition of the building’s first and fourth floors in preparation for broader structural upgrades. Centenary President Dr. Christopher Holoman, Board of Trustees President Mr. Ross Barrett, and Dean of the School of Health Sciences Dr. Scott Chirhart donned hard hats and took up shovels to mark the occasion. Built in 1947, Mickle Hall is a cornerstone of the Centenary campus. In February, Congress announced a $10 million federal appropriation in support of the project.
“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,” said Dr. Holoman. “With this investment, we are strengthening both our academic programs and our commitment to accessibility, innovation, and community impact. I am deeply grateful to our partners and supporters who have helped make this vision a reality.”
The renovation reflects Centenary’s commitment to modernizing its academic facilities while preserving the character of its historic campus. Mickle Hall currently houses the College’s health sciences programs, a key driver of student enrollment. To mark the completion of the first phase, Centenary will host a ribbon cutting for the campus and community following the annual President’s Convocation on Tuesday, August 25, at noon.
“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,” said Dr. Chirhart. “This space will empower our students to learn, innovate, and lead in a rapidly evolving scientific world.”
This is the second major construction project on campus in the past two years. Centenary completed construction of Bicentennial Village, new townhome-style student residences, in 2025. Together, these investments strengthen the student experience and support the local economy through jobs and millions of dollars of construction activity.
“Hand Construction is honored to partner with Centenary College of Louisiana and Somdal Associates on the renovation and revitalization of historic Mickle Hall,” said Kyle Hand, vice president of construction services at Hand Construction. “Centenary just celebrated its bicentennial continuing 200 years of education and service. It is a privilege we don’t take lightly. This is a milestone that bridges a remarkable legacy with an ambitious vision for the future.”