Xavier University of Louisiana: A Legacy of Black Excellence
Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), nestled in New Orleans, stands as a unique institution in American higher education. It is the only Historically Black Catholic University (HBCU) in the United States. Founded by St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier has a rich history of providing educational opportunities to underserved communities, particularly African Americans.
The Founding and Early Years
The story of Xavier University begins with St. Katharine Drexel, a Catholic nun who dedicated her life and inheritance to educating African Americans and Native Americans. Aware of the limited access to Catholic education for Black students in the South during the era of racial segregation, Drexel established a high school in New Orleans in 1915 on the site of the former Southern University. This school was initially named Southern University of New Orleans but was later renamed after St. Francis Xavier, the namesake of Katharine's father.
In May 1916, the institution was incorporated as "Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, of Louisiana," and the name "Xavier University" was etched into the stone above the main entrance. The high school, known as Xavier Prep, continued to operate until 2013.
The early curriculum focused on providing a strong foundation for Black students, with the first high school graduating class receiving diplomas in 1917. Recognizing the need for trained Black teachers, Xavier expanded in September 1917 to include a normal school, addressing the limited career options available to Black Americans at the time.
Transition to a University
In 1925, Xavier University of Louisiana officially came into being with the establishment of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This expansion included a Teachers' College and a Pre-Medical Course, aiming to provide higher education for young Black men and women seeking leadership roles in literary, scientific, or medical fields. The Louisiana Department of Education recognized Xavier as a four-year college in March 1928, and the first degrees were awarded that spring. The College of Pharmacy followed in 1927.
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Recognizing the university's need for a separate identity and room to expand, Drexel acquired land at the corner of Palmetto and Pine Streets in 1929, where the campus is still located today. Through the years, as needs dictated, the campus gradually filled out, with the addition of a library-- which now houses music-- in 1937, the gymnasium (1937), St. Michael's men's dormitory (1955), the Student Center (1962), St. Joseph's (1965) and Katharine Drexel (1969) women's dormitories, the House of Studies (1967), the College of Pharmacy (1970), the Norman C. Francis Academic/Science Complex (1988), the new Library/Resource Center and College of Pharmacy addition (1993), and Peter Claver women's dormitory (1994). Xavier South, a multi-story office building, was purchased in 1990.
A Beacon of Hope During the Civil Rights Movement
Xavier University played a significant role during the Civil Rights Movement. In May 1961, a group of Freedom Riders, facing resistance and violence in Alabama, sought refuge in New Orleans. Norman C. Francis, then the university's Dean of Men, secretly arranged for them to stay in a dormitory on campus, with the permission of University President Sister Mary Josephina.
Francis widely supported civil rights activists during the movement, housing Freedom Riders at Xavier. "The connection between my family, the Civil Rights Movement and Xavier University started long before me and it will continue after me,” said Blair Dottin-Haley, grandson of Oretha Castle Haley, New Orleans’ freedom fighter and organizer, and former university mister.
Overcoming Adversity: Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, causing significant damage to Xavier's campus. Many buildings were partially submerged for extended periods. Despite the challenges, the university persevered, and students returned to campus by the spring semester. "It was important for me to come back to pour into the city and my institution that nurtured so many for generations,” now, 20 years later, Cuffie reflects on returning to campus in January 2006.
Senator Barack Obama delivered the commencement speech in August 2006, symbolizing the resilience and hope of the university and the city. Xavier's campus was evacuated during Hurricane Ida in August 2021, 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina. Students who remained on campus were later evacuated to Dallas.
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Academic Excellence and Distinctive Programs
Xavier University has earned a reputation for academic excellence, particularly in the STEM and health sciences fields. It consistently produces more African American students who graduate from medical school each year than any other university in the United States. The College of Pharmacy is also highly regarded, ranking among the top colleges in the nation for graduating African Americans with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
Xavier's success is attributed to its well-balanced curriculum, supportive environment, and emphasis on collaboration rather than competition. Students are encouraged to study together, support each other, and teach each other, fostering a strong sense of community.
In 2024, Xavier announced its partnership with Ochsner Health to expand medical education and address long-standing health disparities through a new medical school, Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. The college would become the only medical school in the Gulf South and join the existing four historically Black medical schools: Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and the Charles R.
Xavier offers a variety of distinctive programs, including:
- Dual Degree Engineering Program: In partnership with several engineering institutions, this program allows qualified Xavier science students to pursue a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
- Institute for Black Catholic Studies: Founded in 1979, this institute offers accredited courses on Black Catholic theology, ministry, ethics, and history, as well as a Master of Theology degree.
- Xavier Exponential: Established in 2018, this is the university's holistically selective honors program for high-achieving undergraduate students.
- The Norman C. Francis Leadership Institute: The first of its kind at an HBCU, the center's focus is to shift oppressive policies and practices in education, criminal justice, and environmental sustainability.
Campus Life and Traditions
Xavier University offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of activities and organizations. The Xavier athletics teams, known as the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, compete in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). The Xavier Herald, the university's student newspaper, has served as an important voice for students, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement.
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The campus is often referred to as "Emerald City" due to the green roofs on many of its buildings. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament remain a vital presence on campus, continuing to support the university's mission.
Notable Alumni
Xavier University has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including:
- Norman C. Francis: President Emeritus of Xavier University, civil rights leader, and advisor to numerous U.S. presidents.
- Ernest N. Morial: First African American mayor of New Orleans.
- Dr. Damien L. Cuffie: Senior clinical dental director.
- Corinne Willams: Public policy and government affairs expert.
- Dr. Kylar Wiltz: Medical physician and advocate.
- Nadrea R. Njoku: Higher education scholar and co-founder of 1925 Society.
- Olympiс Bronze Medalist in the long jump (1948 Summer Olympics).
- First African-American to sign a contract with an NBA team.
- John T. Biggers: Sculptor, painter, printmaker, collagist, and MacArthur Fellow.
Mission and Values
Xavier University of Louisiana remains committed to its founding mission of serving the underrepresented Black population and promoting a more just and humane society. The university's core values include academic excellence, social justice, and service to others.
"Rooted in a legacy of Black excellence, service, and advocacy, Xavier has prepared me not just to succeed, but to serve, especially in ensuring all women have access to quality reproductive health," said public health major Christina Anderson, a soon to be 2026 graduate of the institution.
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