ARCHIVES / IN THIS ISSUE:
OUT THE DOOR IN FOUR PROGRAM H ITS THE MARK
U.S. SURGEON GENERAL
TO ADDRESS GRADUATES
STUDENTS OFF TO
SUMMER CAMP IN CHINA
NEW FRESHMEN TO EXPERIENCE LAGNIAPPE
SUMMER SESSIONS OFFER EVENING, ONLINE COURSES
WOMEN WIN 2ND
GCAC TRACK TITLE
TENNIS REPEATS AS
NAIA GROUP CHAMPIONS
XAVIERWRITES
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 Promoting Literacy |
 Library Week |
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Final Exam Time |
Final Exams begin May 01 and continue through May 6.
Visit HERE for the complete schedule.
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XU Basketball Skills Academy |
Brandon Bass of the Boston Celtics, DJ Augustin of the Indiana Pacers, Mo Williams of the Utah Jazz and Al-Faruoq Aminu of the New Orleans Pelicans will be among the featured guest coaches for the inaugural Coach Dannton Jackson Basketball Skills Academy at Xavier in June.
Jackson, the winner of 226 games and four regular-season conference championships as head coach of the Gold Rush men's program for the past 10 seasons, will conduct the camp June 10-13 at XU's new Convocation Center.
The camp is for New Orleans-area boys age 7-16. Campers will learn skills to develop footwork and their fundamentals. They'll receive daily prizes, evaluation, autographs and a certificate of participation. Campers will be divided into age groups and compete in 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games and a skills contest.
Price of the camp is $195. Visit HERE to register online or to download a PDF registration form which can be filled out and mailed. Call (504) 521-7849 for more info.
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Student Research Journal Online |
The latest issue of XULAneXUS, the University’s online undergraduate research journal, is is now available online HERE.
While you’re there, check out the new author’s blog HERE, which allows student authors to write about their research experiences, offering informal accounts about what sparked their research projects, the uniqueness of their projects, and advice to future researchers.
All Xavier students are encouraged to submit their work to the journal.
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Locals Win with Business Ideas |
Three area students took home top honors in The Entrepreneurship Institute’s 2nd Annual Business Idea Competition.
Andreanna Atkins, a junior at Lusher Charter School, was declared the winner for her business concept entitled Educate the World. Runners-up were Jordan Harris and Daren Scioneaux of St. Augustine High School with their idea of UNICO/UTV, and Brandon LeBlanc of St. Augustine High School for Ultimate Cuts.
The winner received $400 and the runners-up each received $150.
“We’ve seen a 70 percent increase in applications, and students from more high schools participated in the competition this year,” says Mark Quinn, Director of Xavier’s Entrepreneurship Institute. “We’re hoping to see even more students participate next year.”
Visit HERE for more details.
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Disaster Speaker Series at XU |
Original analyses of post-Katrina recover and ongoing issues related Gulf oil spill will be among the topics as Xavier and Mount Royal University present two days of lectures by six leading disaster researchers May 9-10 in the University Center, Room 205.
The event is free and open to the public. Visit HERE for a list of speakers and their topics.
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Confucius Institute Events Calendar |
The Confucius Institute at Xavier University of Louisiana will host a colloquium “Enjoying Chinese and African Art” May 9 in the University Center Room 201.
Top experts on Chinese and African art in the New Orleans region will discuss innovative strategies and approaches in presenting such art in museums so that visitors will both learn and enjoy viewing African and Chinese works.
It’s the beginning of a busy month for the Confucius Institute, which will also represent China at the World’s Fair at Louisiana Children’s Museum May 11 and present at the Audubon Zoo’s Asian Heritage Festival May 25.
Visit HERE for more details.
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Xavier in the News |
Washington Post
‘Nation at Risk’ Warnings
Still Resonate Today
Farmington Daily Times
One President
Stands Above ...
WWL-TV (Video)
No. 1 Xavier Tennis
Team Eyes National Title
WGNO-TV (Video)
Xavier Jazz Combo Performs on News With a Twist
DesignBoom
Pelli Clark Pelli:
St. Katharine Drexel Chapel
NPR [audio]
Norman Francis On 45
Years At Xavier's Helm
myNewOrleans.comBest New Architecture
(St. Katharine Drexel Chapel)
OUT THE DOOR IN FOUR PROGRAM HITS THE MARK
Xavier, through its Confucius Institute – the first such institute in the State of Louisiana and the nation’s HBCUs – will send a group of 10 undergraduate, graduate, and College of Pharmacy students to China May 14-29. The students, who all studied the Mandarin language during the regular spring semester at Xavier, will receive further intensive Chinese language training in China, while gaining exposure to Chinese culture and history, such as attending seminars on folk music, painting, history, culture, calligraphy, and paper cutting. more |
Marquisha Johns, a senior sociology major from Marrero LA (L.W. Higgins High), has been accepted into the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, George Washington University, Drexel University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington University-St. Louis. Melanie Moore, a senior English major from Baton Rouge LA (Baton Rouge Magnet), has been accepted into the Master of Public Health degree program in Health Policy and Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cyrell Roberson, a senior psychology major from Baton Rouge LA (Baton Rouge Magnet High), has been accepted into the Master of Arts degree program in psychology Columbia University’s Teachers College. |
NEW FRESHMAN TO EXPERIENCE LAGINAPPE SUMMER SESSIONS OFFER EVENING, HYBRID/ONLINE COURSES The traditional daytime schedule of summer classes at Xavier is giving way to even more and better as the university has added a significant number of evening and online/hybrid courses to the mix. Students will also have the option of earning college credits via 27 online/hybrid courses that combine traditional, face-to-face classroom meetings with online, computer-based learning. A variety of disciplines are included. Visit HERE for the complete list. more |
Meggan Simien, a senior biology major from Eunice LA (Eunice High), has been admitted into the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane University. |
| XU WOMEN WIN 2ND GCAC TRACK TITLE The dynamic trio of Catherine Fakler, Devinn Rolland and Hannah Finnegan combined for 100 points Saturday to lead the Gold Nuggets to the women's team title in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium. Xavier’s tennis teams posted a 6-2 victory against Milligan in the men's final and a 5-3 victory against SCAD Atlanta in the women's final of an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament to earn automatic bids to the NAIA National Championship in Mobile AL. The Gold Rush (14-7), ranked fifth in the NAIA, extended a school record by winning an eighth consecutive conference/group tournament championship. The Gold Nuggets (17-7), ranked first, won their ninth conference/group tournament championship in 11 seasons and repeated as champion of this event. Both XU teams earned automatic bids and first-round byes for the national tournament, which consists of 24 men's and 24 women's teams and begins May 15. |
Victoria Thompson, a sophomore business accounting major from Chicago IL (Whitney Young High), has accepted a summer internship in the accounting compliance department of Under Armour Inc. Ashley Trussell, a senior chemistry/pre-med major from Jackson MS (Murrah High), has been accepted into the biomedical sciences program at the University of Mississippi and the medical science program at Mississippi College. Three student-athletes – Chinedu Echebelem, a sophomore chemistry/pre-med major from Dallas T (Duncanville High), volleyball; Javon Mead, a junior accounting major from Gonzales LA (Baton Rouge Magnet High), track and field; Devinn Rolland, a sophomore chemistry/pre-pharmacy major from New Orleans (Cabrini High), track and field – have all been named to Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars for 2013.
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| program cont The program’s 75% retention rate and anticipated 70% graduation rate are both significantly higher than the University’s overall five-year retention (53%) and five-year graduation rates (43%). The percentages might have been even higher had not six students withdrawn from the University for personal reasons – more often than not for financial considerations. “We are very proud of all of these students,” said Pearl Algere-Lonian, assistant vice president for scholarship and special programs, who along with Dr. Pamela Franco, an executive associate in the Office of Academic Affairs, oversees the program. “This is in no sense a program for elite students; the students represent a good cross section of that freshman class in variety of disciplines and varying academic backgrounds, including some who required developmental courses.” Those on target to graduate this May include: Chelsea Conrad, a biology/premed major from Baton Rouge LA (Baton Rouge Magnet); Nichelle Cox, a psychology major from Pomona CA (Bonita High); Sunseray Joseph, a political science major from Charenton LA (West St. Mary High); Bryan Lucky-Heard, a business/management major from Hackensack NJ (Hackensack High); Nikki Odofin, a psychology/premed major from Romulus MI (Romulus High); Ashley Trussell, a chemistry/premed major from Jackson MS (Murrah High); and Sharonda Washington, a biology/premed from Opelousas LA (Opelousas LA). While most of the programs key elements – careful monitoring and charting of each student’s academic progress, a full arsenal of educational support techniques including, study skills, time management, and the utilization of labs and tutorial services – are geared to academics, the overall Xavier “experience” is not overlooked. “Our message to the students is that all of the desired extra and co-curricular experiences can be had in four years,” said Algere-Lonian. “The students in this inaugural cohort have had summer research opportunities, internships, and study abroad experiences, all while being mindful of the benefits of staying focused on the ultimate goal of graduation.” During the course of four years, the students are exposed to successful professionals and speakers, attend plays and concerts, and participate in other various other cultural events. That aspect of the program was not lost on the participants themselves, including Odofin (the current Miss Xavier) and Trussel (the current Student Government Association president), both of whom aspired to and where elected to key leadership roles on campus. “There was always someone there for us whenever we needed anything and they made sure we stayed on track academically,” said Odofin. “But it was the social and cultural outings that I really appreciated. I’ve had so many experiences that I never would have sought out on my own.” Trussell agrees. “The support and encouragement we have received for the past four years has been amazing,” she said. “Plus I think our little group of randomly-selected freshmen has developed into a rather closely-knit group of friends over the years.” Another basic premise of the program that is not lost on the participants are the financial considerations. “While the ultimate goal is to graduate, the financial advantages of graduating in four or five years cannot be overstressed,” said Algere-Lonian. “Many of these students will pursue professional and graduate studies, and by not extending their undergraduate studies, they will end up with much less student loan debt.” Case in point, all seven May graduates have committed to pursuing advanced degrees in health professional or graduate schools. Now that inaugural trial has proven successful, the future of the program is in flux. Franco said she and Algere-Lonian are considering whether to continue the program as is with a new group from next fall’s freshman class, or to limit the program to the first two years of college in order to service more students. “Once the students have become acclimated to college life and established good study habits, we feel confident they can handle whatever challenges lie ahead,” she said. “The first two years are the most critical ones.” china cont The student group includes six undergraduates (Ahmeena Anderson, Avion Bailey, Leonard Clay Jr., Ajhia Ellis, A’Vanti Glenn, and Sheldon Maurice), two graduate students (Joseph Hicks and Sheridon Trepagnier IV), and two pharmacy students (Adina Ewing and Jazmine Thompson). The students will be accompanied during the trip by Shu Peng, administrative specialist at the Confucius Institute at Xavier, as well as Dr. Lori Crawford from the XU College of Pharmacy. While in China, the students will visit Beijing and Baoding, the city where Xavier’s partner school Hebei University is located. In addition, they will visit the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, Confucius Institute Headquarters, and the Great Wall in or near Beijing, and a famous stone tomb of the Han dynasty (2nd century BCE) and the governor’s mansion of the Qing dynasty (19th dynasty) in Baoding. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with students of Hebei University, and enjoy Chinese food, learn Taichi, and view theatrical art. All costs for food, lodging, cultural excursions, and transportation in China will be covered by Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing. Most students will also receive substantial financial aid to cover their international travel. For more information on the Confucius Institute at Xavier visit HERE, email confucius@xula.edu or call 504-520-7237. lagniappe cont Regional students (e.g. those from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee) are required to attend the program. Students from further away are also encouraged to participate. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current XU students and faculty in their prospective majors. Advance placement tests will be given in reading and math, while students requiring developmental courses or looking to pick up some early credit hours can scope out the city's most affordable summer tuition. Students will receive a list of the courses in which they will be enrolled in fall 2013 and be invited to complete their registration during the Lagniappe weekend through fiscal clearance and health clearance. The new freshmen are encouraged to stay in the campus residence halls over the two-day affair to get a taste of student life at Xavier. The program isn’t just for the students, however. Parents can also take advantage of the weekend to meet with representatives from administrative areas like financial aid, student health services and student accounts. |
Carlyn Addison ’90, an attorney in Memphis TN, is serving as a Shelby County Environmental Court Referee. Dwayne Aikens Jr. ’05, founder of the nonprofit “We Lead Ours” organization in Oakland CA, was appointed to the Board of Directors for Keep Oakland Beautiful. He is also working on an EdD in Leadership Development Curriculum Instruction to compliment his MBA from University of Phoenix. Bill Beverly Jr. ’03 has earned a master’s degree in liberal arts from Tulane University. Aarika Diggs ’07 has earned a doctorate in physical therapy from Florida A&M University. Dr. Sabrina Echols ’92, an assistant professor at the Baylor University College of Medicine and founder of the non-profit health care program Butterfly Wellness, has authored a book, Voiceless: Inspiring True Voice Lessons on Life, available HERE. Stequita Hankton ’11 has been accepted into medical school at Howard University. Evelyn Johnson ’62, a retired teacher now residing in Bloomington IL, was the featured volunteer in the April newsletter for Faith in Action, an interfaith volunteer program of partner congregations and community members. Leon Johnson ‘72, President of Excel Screen Printing & Embroidery, Inc. in Schiller Park IL, was honored along with his company, being selected by Office Max as one of the 2012 Top Ten Diverse Suppliers in the USA. Rayanne Lee ’97 has earned a medical degree from the LSU New Orleans School of Medicine and has been accepted into the pediatric residency program at UT the University of Tennessee-Memphis Le Bonheur Hospital. Edgar Francis Poree Jr. ’58, will have a book-signing for his latest literary effort, Dreamer Who’s Been Extremely Blessed, May 11 from 11:00 a. m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Gertrude’s Place in New Orleans. Justin Spraglin ’12 has been accepted into medical school at Baylor University, Tulane University, LSU-New Orleans, Meharry College and the University of Rochester NY. Tamia Randolph-Alvarez ’97, a doctoral student in business at the University of New Orleans, has been named a 2013 Minority Fellow by the National Board of Certified Counselors, which carries an award of $20,000. She was one of only 24 recipients nationwide. The Rev. Dr. Elbert Ransom Jr. ’59, an adjunct professor at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria VA and owner of the international human relations firm REACH Inc., traveled to Oslo (Norway) to make a series of presentations on the American Civil Rights Movement of the ‘50s/ ‘60s. He also represented the U.S. Dept.. of State on official visits to the Ukraine and Kosovo. |
