Xavier honors Dr. Norman Francis with title of President Emeritus

6th July 2015   ·   0 Comments

As outgoing Xavier University President Dr. Norman Francis spent his last official day as the nation’s only Black Catholic university’s chief, the institution’s Board of Trustees announced that it has named him President Emeritus in recognition of his more than half century of outstanding and faithful service to the historically Black and Catholic university.

In a resolution passed unanimously by the Board at its June 6, 2015 meeting, the Trustees conferred this honorary title, which is reserved for those who have served an institution with exceptional distinction.

“Dr. Francis has left an everlasting mark upon this university, and thus, it is fitting that the Board grant him this perpetual honor,” Michael Rue, the chairman of Xavier’s Board of Trustees, said Tuesday.

Dr. Francis’ 56-year tenure of loyal service to Xavier, including the last 47 years as president, has been extraordinary. His dedication, devotion and integrity have been iconic symbols of the raison d’etre for Xavier as articulated by its foundress, St. Katharine Drexel. Guided by Dr. Francis, Xavier has earned a national and global reputation for the highest standards of academic achievement and remarkable success. Xavier alumni are consistently recognized for their academic preparation, skilled leadership, and generous service focused on social justice and equity.

Francis was the longest-serving university president in U.S. history.

Under Dr. Francis’ leadership, with the outstanding support and involvement of First Lady Blanche Francis, Xavier has significantly increased its enrollment, been ranked as a top academic institution, expanded its campus and strengthened its financial base. During his and Xavier’s greatest challenge, the devastation of the flooding following Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Francis led the effort to rebuild, rapidly reopen and continually improve the campus, which resumed classes in less than six months.

Dr. Francis, a Lafayette, La. native who earned his bachelor;s degree at Xavier and first served the campus as a student body president, is revered widely and most appropriately as a “servant-leader.” Throughout his life, Dr. Francis’ energy, faith and his desire to work for a more just and humane society have never wavered. Xavier’s Board members indicate that the title conveys not only distinction but expresses the esteem and gratitude of the Board for his commitment and steadfast fidelity to Xavier’s mission.

This article originally published in the July 6, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.