In Loving Memory of Dr. Norman C. Francis, Longtime President of Xavier University of Louisiana and Civil Rights Activist

It is with profound sadness that UNCF joins the nation in mourning the passing of Dr. Norman C. Francis, a pioneering educator and passionate civil rights advocate who served as the fifth president of UNCF-member institution Xavier University of Louisiana for 47 years. When he retired in 2015, he was recognized as the longest-serving university president in the United States.

“Dr. Francis was a dear friend and fellow champion of education for decades, who dedicated his life to the empowerment of students and the advancement of education within the African American community,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “He was a devoted member of UNCF’s Board of Directors, serving with distinction as vice chair of the board, institutional director and numerous other leadership positions on our board.”

“His relentless commitment to academic excellence and social justice has left an indelible mark on innumerable lives,” Dr. Lomax continued. “Under his leadership, Xavier University of Louisiana became a national leader in producing African American students for careers in medicine and science, who carry forward his legacy of service and activism.”

In 2015, UNCF was proud to honor Dr. Francis with the UNCF M.A.S.K.E.D. Award, recognizing his extraordinary impact on higher education and our community.

In appreciation of Dr. Francis’ leadership and vision, in 2016, Xavier University of Louisiana launched the Norman C. Francis Teacher Residency Program (NFCTR) in partnership with five New Orleans charter schools. The program’s mission is to develop exceptional educators who want to make teaching their career. One of the first teacher residency partnerships in the nation between a charter management organization and an HBCU, the program recruits Xavier seniors, recent graduates and professionals from other industries to become licensed educators who teach in the city of New Orleans.

Dr. Francis was not only a pioneer in education but also a tireless advocate for civil rights, working to dismantle barriers and promote equality.

In 1952, he was the first African American admitted to the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. In 1968, he became the first lay president and first Black president of Xavier University of Louisiana—accepting the role on the same day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. In 1961, while serving as Dean of Men, he secretly housed the Freedom Riders at Xavier University of Louisiana after their bus was firebombed in Alabama. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006 from President George W. Bush.

Dr. Francis’ lifelong contributions and legacy will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Xavier University of Louisiana community during this difficult time. Let us honor his memory by continuing the fight for justice and education that he so passionately championed.

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About UNCF

UNCF is one of the nation’s largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students’ access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF awards more than 11,000 scholarships totaling more than $62 million. The scholarships support students attending more than 600 US-based colleges and universities including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram.