Community members, local politicians and university faculty reflected on Xavier University of Louisiana’s impact on students and the local community during several speeches commemorating the 100th anniversary of the country’s only Catholic HBCU on Friday (Jan. 17).

Speakers discussed the contributions and generosity of St. Katharine Drexel, who founded Xavier in 1925, and former university president Norman C. Francis, who was the first Black and first lay president.

“What is most important to know is that we all stand on the shoulders of a couple of extraordinary people,” said Tim Francis, a Xavier alum and son of Norman Francis.

Francis, who is also the brother of Verite News executive director David Francis, said that Drexel was a “visionary” and a civil rights pioneer who dedicated her life to creating institutions around the country that would provide African Americans and Native Americans with an education.

PHOTOS: Xavier University celebrates its 100th anniversary

  • New Orleans City Councilmember Eugene Green (center, plaid tie) sits in the audience and smiles during Xavier University centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Xavier University provost Marguerite Giguette gives a speech during Xavier University of Louisiana’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Xavier University of Lousiana President Reynold Verret gives a speech during Xavier University of Louisiana’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-New Orleans) gives a speech during Xavier University of Louisiana’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Tim Francis, a Xavier alum, attorney and brother to Verite Executive Director David Francis, gives a speech during Xavier University of Louisiana’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Youma Diabira, the 89th Miss Xavier, gives a speech during Xavier University of Louisiana’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Xavier University of Lousiana students pose for a picture after the university’s centennial celebration downstairs outside of the University Center on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Xavier University of Lousiana President Reynold Verret (left) talks to U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-New Orleans)(right) at the university’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Xavier University of Louisiana students gather outside of the University Center to partake in events and eat food after the university’s centennial celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

And he described his father as a working class young man when he came from Lafayette to New Orleans, a city where he “didn’t know a soul.”

Yet, Norman Francis went on to become a successful student and eventually the longest-tenured president in Xavier’s history.

Current university president Reynold Verret highlighted the multitude of public servants who graduated from Xavier.

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-New Orleans), who graduated from Xavier in 1986, also spoke highly of the university, saying its “determination to create space for academic and spiritual growth for African Americans and underserved communities has blossomed into a legacy of greatness.”

Xavier will hold more events to honor the centennial throughout the year, including a gala on May 8 and a mass commemorating Drexel’s canonization on Oct. 1.

Most Read Stories

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Creative Commons License