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Xavier in the News

2024

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In the News 

  • Xavier University of Louisiana honors the legacy of its alum and former president, Norman C. Francis, with a statue unveiling during Black History Month. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier is ranked as the #2 HBCU in the nation for financial payoff for Black graduates. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana’s foundress, Saint Katherine Drexel, is highlighted as a significant part of Christian history - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana was announced as the location for season three of BET+’s “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is among the 10 institutions to receive a portion of a $14 million grant to fund liberal arts and humanities education - READ MORE 
  • Xavier celebrates Black History Month with a series of events. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana launches a new rowing club, which makes it one of 2 HBCUs to have a rowing program, a venture that could increase diversity in the sport - READ MORE 
  • Tamar Braxton, Saucy Santana, Blac Chyna and more are set to star in season 3 of BET+’s College Hill: Celebrity Edition, which will take place at Xavier University of Louisiana - READ MORE  
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is a part of a new consortium that secured a $160 million grant for an energy transition initiative - READ MORE 
  • Paramount Pictures is giving $50,000 to support scholarships that will be awarded to students attending Xavier University of Louisiana and other HBCUs. Applications are open from April 1 through April 30, 2024. To apply, students can visit https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is noted for the financial payoff it offers its students in a story on how HBCUs are powerhouses for progress - READ MORE 
  • Tracey Edmonds has recently received an award from the New Orleans City Council for the contributions made by her company, Edmonds Entertainment, in promoting the cultural richness of District B and the City of New Orleans. Congressman Leslie Harris and the City Council presented the award to Edmonds Entertainment for showcasing the city’s vibrant diversity and highlighting the unique contributions of Xavier University of Louisiana. - READ MORE 
  • Tech & Learning magazine names Kaplan’s All Access License, which allowed students at HBCUs, including Xavier University of Louisiana, to have access to free test prep for admission exams, as the winner of its Best of 2023 contest - READ MORE 
  • The Gambit gives the McMillan-Stewart Foundation a thumbs up for its $300,000 donation to Xavier University of Louisiana to create a new scholarship for students struggling financially - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana a part of a multi-institution project to help combat land and ecological losses in the Mississippi River Delta - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is one of the universities involved in the MissDelta project, which collects data on the coastal water levels and ocean waves inside the Birdsfoot region of the Mississippi River and uses that data to analyze extreme storm surges and wave events. - READ MORE 
  • In a gift by a former archivist at Xavier University of Louisiana, OperaCréole has been granted the opportunity to restore and produce the score of Edmond Dede’s “Morgiane,” which had previously been thought to be lost for 100 years until discovered in the collections of Harvard’s Houghton Library. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s Norman C. Francis Academic Science Complex addition is highlighted as one of Billy Sizeler’s architectural projects. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana was represented during an HBCU fair at Curtis High School in Staten Island to make higher education more accessible for students of color. - READ MORE 
  • The story of Elma Booker, a dance instructor in New Orleans in the 1920s who used to have recitals at Xavier, can be found in the Amistad Research Center - READ MORE 
  • King Zulu 2024 facilitates financial contributions to educational institutions, including Xavier University of Louisiana. Queen Zulu 2024’s maternal grandfather graduated from Xavier as well. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is one of the HBCUs where Hulu screened its newest show, “Black Cake.” - READ MORE 
  • The Gambit gives Xavier University of Louisiana a thumbs up for receiving a $1.5million grant from the Mellon Foundation - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana president, along with other HBCU presidents in the state, will have to create a list of 3 nominees that the governor will appoint to a council for the success of the state’s Black male population - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is one of the participating institutions in the UNCF climate report for HBCU leadership in climate change and sustainability - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana kicked off its Louisiana Can initiative to combat the HIV epidemic with an event held on February 7, 2024 - READ MORE 

 

Xavierite Excellence 

  • A team of students from Xavier University of Louisiana is among the finalists in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar District Cup competition, where teams compete to design distributed energy solar systems for a real-world district. - READ MORE  
  • Students from Xavier attended the 2024 Legacy Bowl Career Fair. - READ MORE 
  • Students at Xavier are taking part in the Power Decide Ambassador Program, which is part of the global healthcare company Organon’s next phase of programming for “Her Plan is Her Power,” which improves access and outcomes related to unplanned pregnancy in the U.S. - READ MORE 
  • Incoming student Wayne Randall-Bashay from New Iberia has signed with Xavier’s men’s basketball team. Randall-Bashay played a crucial role in last year’s record-setting Division I runners-up team - READ MORE 

 

Alumni Spotlight 

  • Dr. Norman C. Francis (‘52), President Emeritus of Xavier, was spotlighted as a Black pioneer in New Orleans. - READ MORE 
  • Jojo O’Conner (‘21) has been featured in a media highlight as the fiance of Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. - READ MORE  
  • U.S. Congressman Troy Carter (‘86) gives a statement on the passing of Daniel Packer Jr., former president of Entergy New Orleans. - READ MORE 
  • U.S. Congressman Troy Carter (‘86) gives a statement on the passing of former Councilwoman Wilma Irvin. - READ MORE 
  • In 1972, a new bank, Liberty Bank and Trust, led by Xavier University of Louisiana Emeritus President Norman C. Francis, asked Alden McDonald Jr. to join their ranks and has since grown to be the largest Black-owned bank in the U.S. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Bruce Hamilton (‘93) makes up the 4% of dentists in the nation who are Black and encourages others to join the field. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Steven Noble (‘00), a cardiothoracic surgeon with Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, inspires more Black men to enter the medical field. - READ MORE 
  • Sherlette Hendey-Newbill (‘94) is endorsed by the Dorsey Community for her candidacy for LAUSD Board District 1 - READ MORE 
  • Emory James Clark (‘52) is honored in the city of Cambridge for becoming the first, and so far the only, Black pharmacist to own and operate his own pharmacy in the city. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Norman C. Francis (‘52), President Emeritus of Xavier, had assistance from activist Father Louis J. Twomey, S.J., to convince the Jesuit priests at Loyola University New Orleans to admit Dr. Franics as the law school’s first Black student. - READ MORE 
  • Leslye Colvin (‘81) is the chair for the NETWORK Advocates Board - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Cea C. Tillis (98) is honored for Black History Month in Hammond. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier President Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis (‘52) is one of the notable members of the Bunch Club, a 107-year-old organization that helps Black men and the Mardi Gras New Orleans community. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Joy Harden Bradford (‘00), of the podcast “Therapy for Black Girls,” talks about her new book, “Sisterhood Heals,” on a podcast, emphasizing the importance of sisterhood - READ MORE 

 

Faculty & Staff 

  • Reynold Verret, Xavier University of Louisiana president, will put forth three nominees along with other HBCU presidents that the governor will appoint to a council for the success of the state’s Black male population - READ MORE 
  • President Verret was on a panel to address the importance of pipeline partnerships. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and director of the Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit (CEJHS) at Xavier University of Louisiana, hosted a webinar that celebrates the resilience of the Black community throughout history. - READ MORE 
  • Ron Bechet, Labat Professor of Art at Xavier, was named as one of the board of trustees members for the New Orleans Museum of Art. - READ MORE 
  • Faisal Abedin, adjunct professor of physics, is the author of this research into the neurotoxicity of Alzheimer’s disease. - READ MORE 
  • Helena Robinson, Xavier’s director of sustainability and quality control, was highlighted as a Citizen’s Climate Lobby volunteer for her work to reduce carbon emissions. - READ MORE  
  • Aliyah Bell (‘23), assistant director of sustainability and quality control at Xavier, was spotlighted as a volunteer for the Citizen’s Climate Lobby for her work to reduce carbon emissions at the university - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and director of Xavier’s (CEJHS), hosted a webinar on the detrimental effects of structural racism on the mental and physical health of young children. - READ MORE  
  • Dr. Norman C. Francis is spotlighted as a Black pioneer in New Orleans for being the first Black President of Xavier University of Louisiana and the first Black graduate of Loyola University Law School. - READ MORE  
  • To change street names rooted in white supremacy, the city changed Jefferson Davis Parkway to Norman C. Francis Parkway after Xavier’s President Emeritus, prominent alum, and civil rights activist Dr. Norman C. Francis (‘52). - READ MORE 

 

 

Athletics  

  • Xavier University of Louisiana welcomes a historic new rowing club, the second-ever rowing program to be offered at an HBCU, with a kickoff event in partnership with New Orleans Rowing Club (NORC) and BLJ Community Rowing. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s basketball team wins 4th consecutive game with 75-66 win over Texas College - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s men’s basketball team beats University of the Southwest 75-65 to move into third place in the Red River Athletic Conference - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s basketball team dominated the University of Southwest in a 77-38 win - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana men’s basketball team pulls away in the second half for victory over Jarvis Christian - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana men’s tennis team, with the help of Jacobi Bain (junior), defeated Dillard in a 5-2 victory - READ MORE 
  • TJ Jones (graduate student) led the Gold Rush to a significant victory over Huston-Tillotson in a Red River Athletic Conference men’s basketball game with 10 rebounds and 25 points in 25 minutes. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana women’s basketball team clinches its 23rd consecutive winning season with a win over Jarvis Christian, its fifth consecutive victory - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s basketball team won against Huston-Tillotson thanks to Taylor Dewitt’s (graduate student) and Zaria Harleaux’s (senior) combined 17 fourth-quarter points. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana women’s basketball team wins 76-61 over North American University, making it their 6th consecutive win - READ MORE 
  • At the Thresher Invitational hosted by Bethel College, XULA Cheer had the highest daily score, with 97.73 the first and 97.8 the second. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s tennis team won against LSU-Shreveport - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s men’s basketball team beat the LSU Shreveport Pilots. - READ MORE 
  • Southern University at New Orleans is bringing back its baseball program, hoping to have a similar success as Xavier University of Louisiana, which made it to the Black College World Series in its first few seasons of bringing back its baseball program - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s baseball team defeated rival Dillard University in a doubleheader Saturday at Wesley Barrow Stadium. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s basketball team won against Huston-Tillotson thanks to Taylor Dewitt’s (graduate student) and Zaria Harleaux’s (senior) combined 17 fourth-quarter points. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana men’s basketball team, led by graduate student TJ Jones (graduate student), wins 104-69 against North American University - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s women’s basketball team won against LSU-Alexandria. - READ MORE 
  • The Gold Nuggets solidified their hold on the second place in the conference as they continued their second seven-game win streak - READ MORE 
  • Xavier’s Rowing Club (XRC) is celebrated as only the second of its kind at an HBCU. - READ MORE 

In the News

  • Xavier University of Louisiana announced it will open a medical school to combat the lack of representation in the healthcare field and improve educational equity. - READ MORE  
  • Xavier University of Louisiana Received a $1.5M grant through the Mellon Foundation’s “Humanities for All Times” Initiative - READ MORE
  • Xavier University of Louisiana co-hosted the screening of a film about Jim Crow in Haiti in their Convocation Center on Martin Luther King Day - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana will host the fourth and final art exhibition organized by SEEING BLACK this Spring - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana is building an $80 million residence hall to house the influx of out-of-state students. - READ MORE  
  • Xavier University of Louisiana has partnered with the University of Manchester in the U.K. - READ MORE 
  • bEHR Health Systems, Inc., a start-up health tech company based on Xavier University of Louisiana’s campus dedicated to utilizing health equity practices to maximize health in the Black community, is hosting its ‘Official 2024 Mardi Gras Steps Challenge’. - READ MORE  
  • The Louisiana Cancer Research Center is accepting applications for SUCRE, its summer undergraduate research program, and selected students can explore and develop their interests by working in a research lab with an assigned faculty mentor from member institutions, including Xavier University of Louisiana. - READ MORE 
  • Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins traveled to New Orleans and met with students and faculty at Xavier and the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy to speak about the importance of investing in next-generation leadership and the need for diversity in STEM, foreign policy, and international security. - READ MORE 
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Xavierite Excellence 

  • Brianne Chiasson (P4) and John Michael Houeye (P4) competed on the national level as representatives of Xavier after winning a local skills competition. - READ MORE

Alumni Spotlight 

  • Farrah Rochon (‘98) is noted as being a New York Time's bestselling author who began writing in between her classes at Xavier. - READ MORE 
  • Troy A. Carter, Sr. ('86), U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, released his "Year in Review" for 2023. - READ MORE 
  • Naomi Winston ('21) was featured on "CBS Mornings" for inclusive coloring books that tackle colorism, a problem Naomi first started to unlearn and outgrow at Xavier - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Pierre Johnson ('02), distinguished OB-GYN, was the keynote speaker during an MLK commemorative breakfast in Beloit, Wisconsin. - READ MORE 
  • Leonard Lightfoot (‘04)Brandon Cole (‘06)Jamin Butler (‘04)Gino Jones (‘04), and Christopher Bolder (‘05), who founded the Black Coffee Co., were featured by Afro Tech for their entrepreneurship and philanthropy in helping the next generation of students succeed. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Brian L McGee ('98) was named one of the influencers of the year by "Arkansas Money & Politics (AMP).” - READ MORE 
  • Joyce Carter ('69) is recognized by a local Chicago newspaper for her 2023 Alumnus of the Year award. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Marion Smith (‘74), exhibits coordinator at The Museum and Railroad Historical Center in Greenwood, South Carolina, is readying an extended exhibit with multiple parts of Black History Month observances affiliated with The Museum’s exhibit, “Reaching Higher: South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” It opens Feb. 3 - READ MORE 
  • Nikia A. Laurie ('96) was appointed interim director of the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute at North Carolina Central University in Durham. - READ MORE 
  • Joyce Carter ('69) was applauded by HBCUnews.com for her 2023 Alumnus of the Year award.- READ MORE
  • Chandra Scott ('99) is the executive director of Alabama Possible, a Birmingham non-profit that works to eradicate poverty, which spearheaded and hosted the nation's first-ever Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs) conference on February 8-9 in Mobile, Alabama. - READ MORE
  • Annie Easley was a black scientist in an era when segregation still prevailed in the United States. - READ MORE 

  

Faculty & Staff  

  • Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University, was a speaker during the Louisiana Workforce Summit. Troy A. Carter Sr. ('86), U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, cohosted the event with Workday. - READ MORE  
  • Monica Pierre, an assistant professor in Xavier University of Louisiana’s Mass Communications Department, won her 3rd career Emmy for the documentary she executive produced, “Battlegrounds: The Lost Community of Fazendeville.” - READ MORE  
  • Dr. Cirecie Olunatuji-West, the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and director of Xavier’s Center for Equity Justice and Human Spirit (CEJHS), hosted webinar about promoting success in Black children - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Silas Lee, professor of sociology and political analyst, shares his thoughts on the battle over Louisiana's voting map. - READ MORE 
  • Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and director of Xavier’s Center for Equity Justice and Human Spirit (CEJHS) and Dr. Constance West, adjunct faculty in Xavier's Division of Education, offered a pre-recorded two-part training designed to help Black Mothers. - READ MORE

 

Athletics Highlights 

  • Taylor Dewitt (graduate student), is named the RRAC Player of the Week for the second time this season - READ MORE  
  • TJ Jones (graduate student) is the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Player of the Week. - READ MORE  
  • Kennedy Wade (senior) was a repeat selection Wednesday on the 2023 All-Louisiana women’s volleyball team, earning a spot on the second team. Ruxandra Flueras (junior) and Taylor Parker (freshman) also received honorable mentions. - READ MORE 
  • Taylor Dewitt (graduate student) was a runner-up for the Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month for December due to her excellence on the basketball court. - READ MORE 
  • TJ Jones (graduate student) helped the Xavier men’s basketball team take the lead to win in the final minute of the game against Our Lady of the Lake. - READ MORE 
  • Taylor Dewitt (graduate student) averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 rebounds in five games and shot 57.7 percent from the floor and 71.1 percent from the line for the Xavier University of Louisiana women’s basketball team. - READ MORE 
  • Adrian Holloway, head baseball coach at Xavier, speaks at the second annual Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Baseball Bash at The Cannery in New Orleans. - WATCH
  • Xavier's men's basketball team pulls away in the second half to win 78-63 against Houston-Tillotson - READ MORE 
  • Xavier's women's basketball team is 5-0 in their conference after winning against Huston-Tillotson - READ MORE 
  • Xavier's women's basketball team ties a record for scoring defense when they outscored Our Lady of the Lake 18-4 in the second quarter - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana earned a Red River Athletic Conference women’s basketball victory against Texas A&M-Texarkana. - READ MORE 
  • Xavier University of Louisiana earned a Red River Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory against Texas A&M-Texarkana. - READ MORE 

2023 & Previous

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