LEFT: Following the timeless Xavier tradition of group study, (clockwise from bottom left) senior mass communication major Kourtney Cooke of Palisades Park NJ (Palisades Park High School), freshman biology/pre-med major Jordan Davis of Covington GA (Alcovey High), junior biology/pre-med major Kiara Maddox of Lithonia GA (Southwest DeKalb High) and junior biology-premed major Candice Bennett of New Orleans (Dominican High) gather in the Library Resource Center in preparation for final exams. CENTER: Even as the fall semester draws to a close, work continues unabated on the new St. Katharine Drexel Chapel. When completed in early 2012, the octagon-shaped, energy-efficient spiritual center will accommodate upwards of 400 visitors and house 11,000 square feet of space to include a sanctuary, sacristy, mediation room and garden, day chapel and bell tower. RIGHT: Christmas season has arrived at the XU campus, with the traditional Nativity scene and greetings posted outside the Administration building. Students returned home last week after finals, but they'll be back soon enough when classes resume on January 6th for the Spring 2011 semester.

LEFT: Halvan Lieteau ’53 of New Orleans (second from right) accepts the 2010 Victor H. Labat Alumnus of the Year Award from (L-R) National Alumni President Frederick Carter '69, Dr. Joseph Labat '59 and XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis ’52, at the annual Homecoming Gala. The annual celebration drew a sellout crowd to the University Center Ballroom. Visit HERE for more homecoming photos. CENTER: The Men of Soul – (from  left) popular R&B vocalists Peabo Bryson, Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Osborne and Freddie Jackson – join together on stage to belt out Osborne’s classic “Woo Woo” song before an enthusiastic audience during the 3rd Annual Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowed Scholarship Benefit Concert sponsored by AT&T. The gala, held at the New Orleans Convention Center Theater, also featured the comedy of Bill Cosby. Visit HERE for more gala photos. RIGHT: AT&T Louisiana President Sonia Perez shares a moment backstage with XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis and entertainer Bill Cosby Jr. at the university’s 3rd annual Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowed Scholarship Benefit Concert. AT&T was the lead sponsor of this year’s event.

LEFT: Rear Admiral Stephen Rochon ’84, Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher at the White House in Washington DC, is introduced at the annual Alumni Homecoming Gala. Visit HERE for more homecoming photos. CENTER: Two alums enjoy the good eats and good company at the Homecoming BBQ, which preceded the basketball doubleheader. RIGHT: Jade Young, a P1 pharmacy student from New Orleans (Ben Franklin High), is congratulated by XU President Norman Francis after she was officially crowned Miss Xavier 2010-11 at the annual University Ball and Coronation.

LEFT: Enjoying the sights and sounds of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Canonization of St. Katharine Drexel, held at the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Motherhouse in Bensalem PA, are (from left) Xavier VP for Institutional Advancement Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, Philadelphia Alumni Chapter VP Shelita Bourgeois ‘75, Philadelphia Alumni Chapter President Dr. Jazmine Harris ‘95, and National Alumni Association President Frederick Carter ‘69. CENTER: Dr. Bertice Berry (center) – successful author, lecturer, educator, entertainer and comedienne – visits with freshmen Maikiya Ball of Compton CA and James Barnes of Waggaman LA after addressing a much wider campus audience in the final installment of the Fall Speakers Series. RIGHT: Dr. Loren Blanchard ‘84, XU Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, accepts a gift from Madame Gao Yanping, Consul General from the Consulate of the Chinese People's Republic in Houston TX. A Xavier delegation met with the Chinese Consul General to secure support for its application to establish a Confucius Institute on campus.

LEFT: Juan Woolfolk of New Orleans gets some one-on-one time with CityBusiness newspaper editor Greg LaRose during the Press Club of New Orleans' “Networking Night Out” held here on campus. The Department of Communications sponsored the event, which gave students of all majors looking for internships and job opportunities the chance to meet with print, broadcast, and public relations industry representatives. CENTER: CPA Mike Bruno of Bruno and Tervalon LLP and the Harrison-Rochon CPAs Educational Foundation shares a moment with XU business majors during a campus “Meet the Firms” event which provided students with the opportunity to network with partners and staff of prominent national and local accounting firms.  Pictured (from left) are Peter Baham of Metairie LA , Lance Broussard of New Orleans , Kyle McClue of Reserve LA , Robert Stevenson of New Orleans , Amber Williams of Lithonia GA , Bruno, Gabriel Phoenix of New Orleans and Jarvis Carter of Monroe LA. RIGHT: John Nguyen of Harvey LA checks the blood pressure of New Orleans Saints defensive back Darren Sharper, one of the more than 150 shoppers who stopped by for free health screenings and diabetes information  during the College of Pharmacy’s annual "Operation Diabetes" community outreach event at Lakeside Shopping Mall. Looking on are (from left) Jessica Todesco of Hahnville LA, Haley Dufrene of Lockport LA and Jessica Lowe of Mobile AL.

LEFT: Members of the Phi Lambda Sigma pharmacy leadership society present an “OTC” (Over-the-counter) basket to convent residents in recognition of Founder’s Day. On hand for the event were (from left): PLS president Alexandria Goines, Haley Dufrene, Michael Olaiya, Sister Maureen Hurley S.B.S., Destini Hill, Sister Patricia Lynch S.B.S., David Collins, Sabrina Fenceroy, Sister Grace Mary Flickinger S.B.S., Dirk Gillam, Tammara Taylor Allen and Adrianne Walls. CENTER: Qatar Minister of Education H.E. Mr. Saad Bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud accepts a gift from XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis during the ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony for the new $29 million Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion. RIGHT: Miss Xavier 2010-2011 Jade Young of New Orleans, will be officially crowned at the annual University Coronation Ball Nov. 13 along with her class queens (from left) Miss Junior Mia Holmes of New Orleans, Miss Freshman Donielle Williams of Fayetteville GA, Miss Sophomore Nikki Odofin of Dallas TX, and Miss Senior Christian Joiner of New Orleans.

LEFT: (from left) Alums Lien Nguyen ''06 and Amber Ovide '09 returned to campus this week to help recruit students for jobs and internships at Target during the annual College of Pharmacy Career Fair. CENTER: (from left) New Orleanians Gregory Malone, Bianca Villavaso and Kristin Fletcher, along with Stacy Windon of Prairieville LA, proudly sport the commencement garments they’ll be wearing for real in just a few months hence following the investiture of seniors during the annual Founders Day celebration. RIGHT: Professors Dr. Joe Melcher (speech pathology) and Clifford Wright (business) are congratulated by President Norman Francis for 40 years of service to the University at a special reception held on Founder's Day. Dr. JW Carmichael (pre-med) was also honored for 40 years, as were 63 other long-time faculty and staff members.

LEFT: Students model the commemorative t-shirts they received for signing up to participate in the upcoming annual UNCF Walk for Education. This year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Audubon Park. Proceeds go to support student scholarships at the local United Negro College Fund schools. CENTER: American rapper and actor Common visits with (from left) India Keys of Carson CA, Ashley Conoway of Greenwood MS and Kaitlyn Gaddis of Snellville GA prior to addressing a much wider audience in the first installment of the university’s Fall Lecture Series. RIGHT: Members of the Class of 2014 – (from left) Khylin Patton, Kaila Harris, Yves Young, Briston Hines, Nadia Turner and Montrelle Joseph – show off their Gold Rush piggy banks, the icon for their new voluntary student-giving initiative. Students are encouraged to fill the banks with their spare change, with monies collected to be used to support programs and activities selected by the freshman class.

LEFT: Alum Michael Henderson ' 79 (right) shares his research discoveries on his Louisiana Creole Ancestors with Lester Sullivan, XU Archivist and Head of the Special Collections. CENTER: President Barack Obama delivers his Hurricane Katrina Observance speech on the Xavier campus Sunday to an audience of enthusiastic New Orleanians – including XU students and staff – and other invited White House guests. Visit HERE for a complete transcript of his remarks, a video and the official  photobank of the event. RIGHT: AT&T Louisiana President Sonia Perez presents a check to XU Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kenneth St. Charles and XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis in sponsorship of the university’s 3rd annual Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowed Scholarship Benefit Concert. AT&T is the primary sponsor of this year’s event, which will be held Nov.19 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s New Orleans Theater.

LEFT: Erin Vincent, a senior biology/pre-med major from The Woodlands TX (Oak Ridge High), goes up high over the net to spike one against Belhaven College in Xavier’s first intercollegiate volleyball game in five years. CENTER: The old St. Joseph’s Residence Hall facing Drexel Drive begins its transformation into a new energy efficient Student Service Center. When completed it will house the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, as well as the reading and writing labs and various other student-oriented offices. RIGHT: First-year College of Pharmacy students Justin Brown of Hampton VA (Hampton High) and Porscha Showers of Pontchatoula LA (Pontchatoula High) sign their professional oaths at the 9th annual White Coat Ceremony, during which the neophyte students received their first professional uniform - the white jacket - symbolizing ethical practice and signifying the beginning of their professional pharmacy educations. 150 students participated in the traditional event.

Nothing like a new class of freshmen students to get the campus jumping. LEFT: One of the fundamental parts of New Student Orientation which enhance the social interaction and the flow of information is the concept of breaking down the much larger class into more managble flag groups: here the Orange team displays its enthusiam outside the University Center. CENTER: Of course its not all play: important information about the college experience and academic procedures that needs to be absorbed. RIGHT: Members of the incoming Freshman class proudly display their new Class of 2014 baseball caps for the first time following the annual “capping” ceremony - a orientation tradition.

It's the first day of New Student Orientation, a.k.a, MOVE IN DAY for all on-campus students. LEFT: Siblings Royalyn and Marcedes Darby of Atlanta GA (Chattahoochie High School) flank momma Latonia Darby-O'Brien as they tote some their belongings from the parking lot. CENTER: A little rain couldn't stop a determined Kareem Ebron of Woodbury NY (Monroe Woodbury High) and dad Ken Ebron from checking into St. Michael's Residence Hall. RIGHT: Greg Jones gets an assist from mentor Patrick Hardy ' 95.

LEFT: Improvements to the Art Village continue, including construction of fencing. CENTER: Even as the College of Pharmacy’s imposing new Qatar Pavilion expansion [background] takes shape along the University's northern I-10 boundary (with partial occupation expected early this fall), right next door [foreground] workers are driving pilings for the next major construction project – the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel. RIGHT: Work on the modular housing units which are replacing several university-owned houses in the neighborhood between the main campus and the XU South area that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina, continues – these are across from the University Center on Dixon St.

LEFT: Participants in the Xavier’s new Write Now! summer program, (from left) Ashlie Cain of Pineville High School,  Kaitlin Graham and Talyah Gilbert of Xavier Prep, and Deja Bickham of Douglas County High School, take in the sights and sounds of the campus – observations recorded in their personal journals which they later used as a catalyst for their creative writing exercises. CENTER: Construction of the College of Pharmacy’s imposing new Qatar Pavilion expansion, located on the university's northern I-10 boundary, continues at a steady pace. Partial occupancy of the building is expected in early fall. Meanwhile test pilings (front center) have already been driven for the new St. Katharine Drexel Chapel, with permanent pilings scheduled to be added in the next couple of weeks. RIGHT: (at left) Senior chemistry major Jasmine Abair of New Iberia LA (New Iberia High) shows Chemistry Day visitors Darneshia Mixon and Matthew Moody of Houston how to make slime from a mix of borax and polymers.

LEFT: Campus parking just got a little easier with the completion of a new 111-capacity parking lot near Xavier South on the corner of South Clark and Dixon Streets. The location is the site of the old abandoned Print Works building, which was purchased by the University and torn down earlier this year. CENTER: Modular housing units, which will replace several university-owned houses in the neighborhood between the main campus and the XU South area that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina, are going up in several locations – including this one across from the University Center on Dixon St. RIGHT: A construction fence around the old St. Joseph’s Residence Hall facing Drexel Drive signals the beginning of gutting and transformation of the dated 40-year old building into a new energy efficient Student Service Center. When completed it will house the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, as well as the reading and writing labs and various other student-oriented offices.