(left) Bryan Boutte '84 with Lynda Coismain; (middle) XU Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Myron Moorehead with Paula Saizan '69 and Paul Valteau;
(right) Philadelphia Alumni Chapter members Dr. DeLisa Williams '82, Dr. Jazmine Atkins '95 (president) and Dionne Barnum '85.

PRESIDENT NORMAN FRANCIS
RECEIVES 2009 SBS
NATIONAL JUSTICE AWARD

Bensalem PA - It was smiles all around as alumni and friends gathered to see XU President Norman Francis '52 receive the St. Katharine Drexel National Justice Award from the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (SBS) March 14 at Celebrations in Bensalem PA.

The event was hosted by the Xavier Alumni Chapter of Philadelphia.

Sr. Patricia Suchalski, president of the SBS, whose Philadelphia-born founder, St. Katharine Drexel, established Xavier University and scores of other schools for African Americans and Native Americans across the nation, said Francis was being honored for his national leadership in education, social justice and community relations, as well as his outstanding performance as president of Xavier University for 40 years.
 
The Rev. Kenneth Brown ‘71, a XU alumnus and former English faculty member, served as master of ceremonies for the gala. Honorary chairs for the event included Mary McLaughlin, sister of former SBS president Mother Mary David Young, and Wendell Young III, a 2008 award recipient.

The award is the most recent recognition of the achievements of Francis, who is the nation’s longest-serving university president.

Rear Admiral Stephon Rochon '84, director of the
executive residence, reads a congratulatory note
from U.S. President Barack Obama.

Dr. Ken Boutte '76, Janice Briscoe '87
and the Rev. Ken Brown '71

(left) Xavier Prep Mime Troupe performs; (middle) Dr. Norman Francis '52 enjoys the company of members of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter,
including (from left) DeLisa Williams '82, Shelita Bourgeois '75, Jocelyn Sanders '91, Gordon Sanders '53, Dr. Jazmine Atkins '95,
Dionne Barnum '85, Courtney Scrubbs '04 and Alisa Orduna-Sneed '93.