Xavier University of Louisiana Honors Legacy of Dr. Norman C. Francis with Statue Unveiling During Black History Month Celebration

Xavier University of Louisiana, a beacon of excellence in higher education for nearly a century, is set to commemorate Black History Month with a special event, February 24, at 11:30 a.m. The University, renowned for its commitment to uplifting African Americans and providing social mobility, will unveil a statue in honor of distinguished alumnus and former University President, Dr. Norman C. Francis (’52), at Xavier’s Convocation Center.

Dr. Francis, a luminary figure in Xavier’s history, served as the institution’s president from April 4, 1968 – a pivotal day in Civil Rights history when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated – until 2015. The unveiling ceremony seeks to celebrate Dr. Francis’s monumental contributions to Xavier, New Orleans, the State of Louisiana, and his influential role in advancing higher education nationally. Under his leadership, Xavier expanded its enrollment, weathered the challenges of Hurricane Katrina, and received recognition, notably the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006, presented by former President George W. Bush.

President Reynold Verret expressed gratitude for Dr. Francis’s enduring legacy, stating, “Dr. Francis was a part of Xavier for over half of the century that Xavier has been serving the underserved. His unwavering commitment and courage in the pursuit of social justice led this university through countless adversity.”

As an honors student and class president at Xavier, Dr. Francis graduated in 1952. He returned to the university as Dean of Men and later became the first Black and lay president. In his tenure, he transformed Xavier, embodying its mission to educate students as leaders in a global society.

Dr. Francis expressed gratitude for the honor, stating, “I am humbled beyond measure by the extraordinary work of art created by Russell Whiting to honor my legacy here at Xavier University. It is an honor that I could not have imagined as a seventeen-year-old boy in Lafayette, Louisiana.”

The statue unveiling comes 10 years after Dr. Francis’s retirement, providing an opportunity to celebrate his profound impact on Xavier’s history. The event will be accompanied by various free Black History Month activities, including performances, lectures, art exhibitions, and a convocation.

For more information on Black History Month events at Xavier University of Louisiana, go here.