633 Scholars Make Fall Dean's List
(New Orleans LA) - A total of 633 student scholars made the Xavier University of Louisiana Dean's List during the 2011 fall semester, according to XU Registrar Avis Stuard.
Students merited a spot on the honor roll by earning a semester grade point average of 3.3 or above while taking at least 12 semester hours. For the complete list of honor students, click
HERE.
XU Fall 2012 Freshman Applicant Pool Impressive
New Orleans LA - As Xavier University of Louisiana’s priority deadline of March 1 fast approaches, XU Dean of Admissions, Winston D. Brown, reports that there is a robust application pool for fall 2012.
An impressive group of 1,070 freshmen have qualified for “early action” decisions – an increase of 13 per cent over the same time last year. Though acceptances for the various science disciplines remain strong, this increase spans most offerings of the University.
Applications from Louisiana students are steady, but we are continuing to see interest from applicants from throughout our region and across the country,” said Brown. “Because of the competition for admission slots, it is important that students who are serious about attending Xavier apply as early as possible.”
Applicants show a distinct preference for the online application. Online applications have increased 85 percent for the fall 2012 class. The use of the Common Application has increased to 37 percent of all applications.
Meanwhile, enrollment at the University for the spring 2012 semester holds steady at 3,175 students. This number includes 89 new or returning undergraduates.
Brown said this is evidence that enrollment is strong in spite of the tough economic times. “A Xavier education remains a great value and rewarding experience,” he said.
Interested students should apply
ONLINE.
Check Out Xavier’s Summer Programs
New Orleans LA - Xavier University of Louisiana is now taking applications for its popular slate of pre-college and collegiate summer enrichment programs.
This summer’s program offerings include the following:
Pre-collegiate Programs
- British Petroleum Math & Science Initiative
- BP STEM Summer Institute
1) Summer Science Academy “Star” Programs – MathStar, BioStar, and ChemStar
2) Louisiana Engineering Advancement Program (LEAP)
3) Summer Program in Computer Science (new for Summer 2012)
- Center of Excellence Program
- Future Mathematics and Science Teacher (FMSTA) Academy
- Mardi Gras Indian Arts Program
- STEM Scholars Summer Bridge Program
- Stress on Analytical Reasoning (SOAR) 1
- SuperScholarEXCEL
- Upward Bound
Collegiate Programs
- Biomedical Scholar Summer Program (BSSP)
- Business Achievers Summer Program
- Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Summer Bridge
- New Orleans Urban Initiative Program - Bard College
- Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
Interested students (and parents) are encouraged to apply early for all programs as slots tend to fill up quickly.
Check HERE for more detailed info.
Xavier Adds Communication Studies and Public Health Majors
New Orleans LA - Xavier University of Louisiana has established two new undergraduate degree programs both of which build upon its strengths in the disciplines of communication and health sciences.
The new majors, which will be offered for the first time in the fall semester 2012, include the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (CMST) and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Sciences (PHS).
Dr. Loren Blanchard, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Xavier said the new majors draw from Xavier’s strong liberal arts base and will largely showcase the talents and expertise of the university faculty.
“We are pleased that these programs are equally grounded in our general education requirements that span from African American studies, to philosophy and art,” Blanchard said of Xavier’s Core Curriculum that includes 60 hours of humanities, science and social science coursework. “From that foundation, both degree programs will help to place their respective graduates at the cutting edge of their disciplines.”
According to Dr. Ross Louis, chair of XU Department of Communications, the new Communication Studies program will offer students unprecedented career flexibility and, more broadly, will allow them to build personal communication skills applicable to a variety of career options or further study at the graduate level.
“Today, virtually every professional job requires effective communication skills,” said Louis, pointing to career fields in arts and entertainment, business, education, healthcare, government, law, non-profits, and social and human services. “Having a fundamental understanding of how and why people communicate in the way that they do can translate into a remarkable advantage in the workplace.”
He said the new focus is especially suited for students to better navigate the demands of today’s global society.
“Communication is essential to the world experience,” said Louis. “Our students will learn about the different peoples of the world not just by studying their language, culture and history, but how they themselves communicate with one another. Communication Studies students will have the ability to view the world primarily through the lens of communications.”
Students following the CMST curriculum will need to complete 128 semester hours, including 42 in the major in applied communication, performance studies and rhetorical studies. The program also provides opportunities for collaborative research with faculty. In keeping with the University’s social justice mission, all students must complete six hours of service-learning coursework.
The new Public Health Sciences major also aligns with the Xavier mission.
According to Dr. Leonard Jack, Jr., chair and professor in the new Public Health Sciences Department, the new curriculum encourages strong critical thinking skills. Public Health majors will consider the broad social implications of chronic diseases, and learn how to develop, implement, and evaluate tailored health and wellness strategies meant to curb the impact and prevalence of these health concerns.
Jack said PHS graduates will be ready for entry-level careers and prepared to pursue graduate studies in an array of public health tracks.
“Louisiana and Mississippi have some of the worst health care outcomes in the nation,” said Jack. “There is a great need to train a work force to serve in this region, as well as to meet the growing shortage of public health professionals nationwide.”
Students following the PHS curriculum will need to complete 130 semester hours, including 36 in the public health major. PHSC students will also serve senior internships at an approved public health site.
Xavier President, Dr. Norman C. Francis, praised the university faculty and academic departments for their efforts to be responsive to market needs and make Xavier graduates more competitive in a rapidly changing market.
“We recognize the challenges our graduates face as they embark on a career and we aim to not only sufficiently train them, but also equip them with the advantages and exceptional educational experiences that will be essential to their success,” Francis said.
The two programs will welcome their inaugural classes during the fall of 2012. Both chairs report significant interest in the new majors among current and prospective students.
Institute for Black Catholic Studies Holds Early Enrollment
Early registration for the 2012 Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) is currently underway NOW through March 15.
The IBCS is a school of ministry for clergy, religious and laypersons working in the Black community and Catholic Church that convenes each summer at Xavier. Session dates for 2012 are June 22 – July 14.
The Master's Program offers a three-week course of pastoral theological studies. Certificate & Enrichment courses (for catechists, youth/young adult ministers, parish leaders, elders) are held in three one-week modules.
For more info, including scholarship application deadline, visit HERE or call 504-520-7691.
Pharmacy Student Receives MLK Service Award
New Orleans LA - Raven Jackson, a Xavier University of Louisiana P2 pharmacy student from Palmetto LA, was honored for her community service during the 26th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Week for Peace Celebration.
She was recognized for embodying the true spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a community leader and a spirit for change in various efforts to restore, rebuild and renew the New Orleans community.
Jackson, who prepped at North Central High School, has totally embraced the institution’s mission of “promoting a more just and humane society,” dedicating countless hours of service and leadership to programs offered by the XU Center for Student Leadership and Service.
She has served as a Peer Dean for the New Student Orientation and a Project coordinator for the OURstory volunteer programs, where she was responsible for assisting new Xavier students and their parents with the transition into college and for planning, implementing and overseeing a volunteer program that reads African American stories to Kindergarten through 3rd graders students.
For the past three years, she has been one of the lead coordinators for Xavier’s monthly Service days that occur throughout the academic year, and for the past two years has served on the Day of Service committee for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Peace.
Jackson also excels academically, maintaining a 3.60 GPA as a second-year (P2) student in the College of Pharmacy.
Gaddis was one of the four students from the MLK Week-sponsoring local institutions (XU, Tulane, Dillard and Loyola) to receive a community service award during the convocation. Legendary New Orleans jazz musician/educator Ellis Marsalis, patriarch of the musical Marsalis family, was presented the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award during the same event.
Educator and author Dr. Steve Perry Poet delivered the keynote address at the MLK Week’s signature convocation. Other MLK events included an interfaith service, expressions of unity celebration, and community service day.
St. Joseph Academic & Health Resource Center Dedication Jan. 27
(New Orleans LA) – Xavier University of Louisiana’s former St. Joseph’s Residence Hall – heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and at one time scheduled for demolition – has since been transformed into the new energy efficient St. Joseph Academic & Health Resource Center.
The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for this new campus student hub will be held Friday, Jan. 27, at 4:00 p.m. at the corner of Drexel Drive and Pine Streets.
Originally built in 1965, St. Joseph’s served as one of the University’s primary women’s residence halls until it suffered catastrophic damage from flooding and wind damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. It sat unused until University administrators developed a new plan for the three-story building, e.g. to provide a common cutting-edge facility for various student-oriented offices that were scattered throughout the campus.
The building was gutted down to its frame and then reconstructed by Carl E. Woodward LLC, including the installation of new water lines, elevators, electrical, stairwells, roof insulation and energy efficient windows. The cost of renovations – nearly $5 million – was funded largely through FEMA.
The rejuvenated building now houses state-of-the-art Writing, Math, and Reading Centers, as well as the Counseling Center, Health Services, the Graduate Placement Office, the Office of Career Services, the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUR), the Center for Intercultural & International Programs (CIIP) and the Student Academic Success Office.
Xavier’s new Confucius Institute – the first at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) anywhere in the nation and the first in Louisiana – will also be housed in St. Joseph’s.
“We felt it was important to have all of these student-service oriented offices located in a central spot on campus,” said XU President Norman C. Francis. “This consolidation, and the physical improvements it provides to all the offices involved, makes it easier for students to use these facilities and for us to better service them.”
The new St. Joseph replaces the Old Student Center – yet another victim of Hurricane Katrina – and compliments the services already available in the sprawling University Center (opened in 2004), which is directly across the street.
Xavier University to Hold Open House Feb. 9
(New Orleans LA) - The Xavier University of Louisiana Office of Admissions will host its annual "Explore Xavier” Open House Feb. 9, 2012, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the University Center, 3rd floor Ballroom.
Prospective students, parents, and school counselors are invited to meet faculty and students representing various majors and programs offered by the University. Tours of the University will be available during the evening.
Call the Admissions Office at 504-520-7388 for more info.
Loughlin to Head Mission Integration at Xavier
New Orleans LA - Sister Monica Loughlin, S.B.S., has been named to Assistant to the President for Catholic Identity and Mission Integration at Xavier University of Louisiana.
In her new role, Loughlin is charged with promoting the integration of Xavier’s mission and core values into the everyday life of the University. It is designed to assure the university’s Catholic ministry and mission-related programs reflect the university’s commitment to maintaining high standards, emphasizing Xavier’s distinctive role as the nation’s only Catholic HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
The creation of the new position spawns from a three-year University-wide task force study on Mission and Ministry.
Loughlin will also continue to serve as Director of Freshman Seminar. She has previously served in various other administrative positions at Xavier, including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She has also served as national president of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (SBS).
Education Author to Highlight MLK Week Celebration
New Orleans LA - Educator, speaker and author Dr. Steve Perry will be the keynote speaker for the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for Peace, Jan. 16-21, 2012.
The Martin Luther King Week for Peace is presented by Xavier, Tulane, Loyola and Dillard Universities. This year’s theme is “When Push Comes to Shove: Where Will You Stand?”
Highlighting the week is Thursday's (Jan. 19) annual convocation during which Lifetime Achievement and Student Community Service awards will be presented. Students from all four universities will also be honored.
In addition to the convocation, other MLK week activities include an interfaith service, Expressions of Unity celebration, and a community day of service. All events are free and the public is invited to participate.
Perry is the education columnist for CNN and Essence magazine, and the author of the bestselling self-published book Man Up! In his latest book, Push Has Come to Shove, Perry spares no sacred cows in describing what steps need to be taken to ensure that all American schools, whether urban or suburban, deliver a first-rate education to our kids – the kind of schooling that will return the United States to the top of the global education rankings.
He is also the founder of the Connecticut Collegiate Awareness Program (ConnCAP) at Capital Community College, which over a six-year period sent 100% of its low-income first-generation graduates to four-year colleges. That led to the establishment of the Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut’s lowest performing district, in 2004. Since its inception that school, too, has sent 100% of its graduates to four-year colleges. Capital Prep has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of America’s Best High Schools.
Dr. Perry’s uncompromising, no-excuses approach to designing the ideal educational experience for children led to his being featured on CNN’s documentary “Black in America” and from there to an official role as a weekly education contributor to the network. His “Perry’s Principles” and other reportage, regularly seen on both Anderson Cooper 360 and American Morning, tackles the most contentious issues being debated in American education.
A nationally sought after speaker, he has also appeared on hundreds of radio and television broadcasts and at education and cultural forums around the country.
The complete calendar of MLK events follows:
Monday, Jan. 16
- Interfaith Service, 6:00 p.m.
Lawless Chapel, Dillard University
Thursday, Jan. 19
- MLK Convocation: Reception 5:30 p.m.; Convocation 6:30 p.m.
Presentation of Awards, Keynote Speaker Dr. Steve Perry
University Center (Grand Ballroom), Xavier
Friday, Jan. 20
- Expressions of Unity, 7:00 p.m.
McAlister Auditorium, Tulane
Saturday, Jan. 21
- Community Day of Service, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Staging area, Loyola (Recreation Complex)
For more information call 520-5420 or 865-5181.
