Courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana President Dr. Reynold Verret submitted a proposal to the New Orleans City Council to rename Jefferson Davis Parkway, which runs along the edge of Xavier’s campus, after legendary former Xavier President Dr. Norman C. Francis. Dr. Francis guided Xavier for 47 years and remains the longest-serving university president in the nation.
“Dr. Francis always knew that education is the pathway to social justice,” said Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana. “His unwavering commitment and courage in the face of adversity spanned 50 plus years at Xavier and taught us all many lessons on how we must serve and lead our community.”
Supported by the entire Xavier community and Board of trustees, Xavier’s leadership was compelled to resubmit the request in 2020 in honor of Dr. Francis’ work in the field of higher education and the role it plays in creating a just and humane society. The name change was unanimously approved by the Council in August of that year. In January of 2021, Dr. Francis joined Xavier University and city officials to cut the ribbon and celebrate the official renaming ceremony.
Dr. Francis is now being honored as the subject of a new WYES-TV documentary, “Dr. Norman C. Francis: A Legacy of Leadership,” which premiered on Tuesday, September 27. Interviews, videos, archival photos and more were compiled to document Dr. Francis’ long and illustrious career as President Emeritus of Xavier University of Louisiana, which is also his alma mater. The documentary can also be viewed for a limited amount of time on the WYES YouTube channel.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Xavier in 1952, Dr. Francis then became one of two African American students chosen to integrate the Loyola University of New Orleans’ College of Law. He would become the first Black graduate of the program, becoming a renowned civil rights advocate. Completing his service to the United States Army in 1957, he joined the staff of Xavier University as the Dean of men. Three years later, he would famously offer shelter to the Freedom Riders in Xavier’s St. Michael’s Residence Hall during their dangerous journey.
It was in 1968 that he became Xavier University of Louisiana’s first Black and lay president. He served in advisory roles to eight U.S. presidents on education and civil rights issues and has served on 54 boards and commissions. He has been a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a member of the Board of Trustees at the Catholic University of America and a member of the board of directors of the National Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice. He also served as chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, President George W. Bush honored Francis with the nation’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The one-hour documentary is narrated by former WWL-TV anchor Sally-Ann Roberts and was produced by Thanh Truong. The production team also includes associate producer Dionne Butler and videographers Lenny Delbert and Tom Moore.
