How much Womack was loved

For a reporter, covering a memorial is not fun. Also on that list is funerals. Not fun at all.

It's not for the obvious reason of the somber event. This is why: how do you capture a person's life with mere words?

That's what the speakers at the memorial for Dean David Womack had to do.


I never had a chance to interview Dean Womack but from the people who knew him he was a bubbly, happy, positive person who loved making things better for students.

"He was really a nice man," said junior accounting major Catie Depew. "I'm an athlete and he was a big supporter of Division I."

What is Depew going to remember most? "Simple. The memory of his smile."

Depew wasn't the only student who will remember Womack's sunny deposition. "Everytime I'd see him he was bubbly and smiley. Always willing to help," said Stephanie Wright, a sophomore biology major.

Even former Centenary College President Ken Schwab had more than kind words to say.

"He was loved," he said. "He had an infectious enthusiasm about life and the college campus."

After the outpour from students, faculty, staff and alumni, I think the campus felt the same way. Look for my story about the memorial in The Times tomorrow.

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Womack given posthumous title

President B. David Rowe today conferred the title of Vice President and Dean of Student Life upon David L. Womack posthumously.
The title was awarded during a gathering of family, friends and community members following a memorial service celebrating the life of Dean Womack who died suddenly on Saturday, August 29.

Reading from a letter written to the family, Rowe acknowledged the impact Dean Womack had in the short year he was at the College.

“Because of his year of exceptional service, his legacy will be long-lasting,” said Rowe.

According to research conducted by archivist Chris Brown, and Dr. Lee Morgan, author of Centenary College of Louisiana 1825-2000: The Biography of an American Academy, Womack already holds the distinction of being the first African American to serve at the senior level of leadership for the institution.

Womack held the position of Dean of Students and had been at Centenary since September 2008. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Henning, and his four children, Donovan, Tyler, Mason and Landon.

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Womack memorial today

David Womack, the Centenary dean of students who died Saturday, will be memorialized today at Brown Memorial Chapel at 11 a.m.

The Rev. Betsy Eaves, College Chaplain, and Dr. David Rowe, President of the College, will officiate.

He was 49 when he died.

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David Womack: A Tribute

Just saw this on Centenary's twitter feed. Students put together a tribute for Dean David Womack who died suddenly on Sat.

On campus memorial will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Memorial Chapel.

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