[LEFT] CENTURY MARK: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. New Orleans Alumnae Chapter President Rachel Mercadel shakes hands with XU President Norman C. Francis before the start of the organization's Centennial Torch Tour Celebration on the Xavier. Looking on is Delta Sigma Theta National President and New Orleans native Cynthia Butler-McIntyre. [CENTER] MAKING IT COUNT: Senior guard SiMon Franklin of Baton Rouge LA, who currently leads the nationally-ranked Xavier women's basketball team in scoring, knows plenty about disappointment and coming back stronger. After a poor academic start jeopardized a promising career, she is making the most of her second chance. See her story HERE. [RIGHT] OUR PEOPLE IN CHINA: Representing Xavier at the 7th Confucius Institute Conference in Beijing were: (L to R) CI associate director Rongyao Wen, pharmacy dean Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, associate vp for academic affairs Dr. Marguerite Giguette, and CI director Dr. Yu Jiang. The group also met with officials from partner school Hebei University to plan future initiatives.