While many colleges and universities struggle to find their niche in the higher education marketplace, Xavier University’s pedigree is long, varied, and interesting.

The university has distinguished itself in myriad ways, from its history as the nation’s only historically black and Catholic university to its top ranking as a producer of African-American medical school students, pharmacists, and undergraduates earning degrees in biology and the life sciences.

Xavier’s president, Norman Francis, also stands out in higher education circles. Francis has led Xavier for 37 of his 74 years, which does not include the eight years he spent as an administrator there before assuming the presidency or the four years he spent as a Xavier student, earning a degree in mathematics. That’s an incredible tenure for any college president, and it’s even more amazing when one considers the New Orleans-based university will mark its 80th anniversary this year.

“We believe our youngsters can learn, and we set high expectations,” said Francis, the first black graduate of the Loyola University School of Law in 1955. “We support them heavily during their first years. If students need it, we have math, science, and writing labs to make sure youngsters are well-grounded.”

That training starts even before students enroll at Xavier. For more than two decades, the university has been offering introductory courses during the summer for high school students who are preparing to take algebra, biology, and chemistry courses. For rising seniors or those ready for college, Xavier offers three summer courses that focus on analytical reasoning to prepare students for the rigors of a higher education.

The university also has standardized its approach to teaching the sciences, which Francis credits for the university’s success at turning out well-prepared scientists and medical school students. Professors in first-year science courses work with common curricula and lesson plans to make sure core competencies are stressed. He calls the curriculum solid, competitive, and challenging.

Preparing for leadership
Xavier’s student body of nearly 4,000 includes 3,000 undergraduates, 550 pharmacy students attending the only such school in New Orleans, and 400 graduate students in education. Students attend Xavier from 38 states, Francis noted.

Since 1927, Xavier has single-handedly produced nearly 25% of the 6,500 African-American pharmacists practicing in the US. The university produces more African-American medical school students than any other institution in the country.

Among its undergraduate population, more than 60% are majoring in the natural sciences, and nearly half the graduates in the School of Arts and Sciences go on to graduate school. The student body includes 1,100 biology majors and 250 chemistry majors.

“Every undergraduate has the option to go to work immediately and be competitive or to go to graduate or professional school,” said Francis. Research internships are encouraged for every undergraduate to give each a taste of possible career paths and encourage the pursuit of advanced degrees.

Not only does Xavier prepare its students to make a living, it prepares them to assume roles of leadership and service in society. This preparation takes place in a pluralistic teaching and learning environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community service.

The coeducational secondary school that evolved into Xavier University was founded in 1915 by Mother Katharine Drexel, who also founded Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Drexel was named a saint in October 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

St. Katharine’s father, banker-financier Francis Anthony Drexel, died before her entrance into religious life and her massive service to society. His will provided the use of the interest from his substantial fortune until her death. She died in 1955, and all funds were transferred to pre-named beneficiaries. St. Katharine Drexel founded and staffed many institutions through the US in an effort to help educate Native Americans and blacks. Xavier achieved university status in 1925 when the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was established.

Growing conservatively
Growth through the years has been slow and steady as Xavier focused on building a solid foundation for its students while striving to keep tuition affordable. Enrollment was capped at 2,000 for several years in the 1980s while the university built its first permanent chemistry building, which opened in 1987. Previously, students had been taught in several World War II-era buildings.

As the university began to attract more out-of-area students, enrollment was capped while 800 dormitory beds were added in the past five years. Francis said the current undergraduate enrollment of 3,000 feels about right for the school.

Francis’ long tenure at Xavier’s helm is a testament to his perseverance, but it’s also a credit to his management style, which entails surrounding himself with smart people and allowing them direct control over their areas.

“I’m always ultimately responsible for those decisions,” Francis said, “but you hire people smarter than you and get out of the way. You delegate in areas when needed and respect their authority.”

Francis, who often is cited for his involvement in the community and his work on the national, state, and local levels to improve education, was named among the 100 most effective college and university leaders in a poll published by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Xavier’s president has served in an advisory role to four presidential administrations, including the historic National Commission on Excellence in Education, and has served on 54 boards and commissions.

But he does not focus his efforts solely on the national and regional levels. Francis firmly believes that every member of the Xavier staff contributes to the success of students. Twice a year, he visits with the non-teaching staff, everyone from administrative assistants to the janitorial staff.

“They all know Xavier’s mission and the fact that we could not survive without them,” Francis said.

After 37 years leading Xavier, Francis jokes that he’s still on probation, but he said he has no plans to retire. “For 80 years, we’ve made a national contribution in educating African Americans in nearly every discipline and helped them become leaders,” he said. “We have a great institution, and I’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat in higher education for all these years.”

Grayson Walker, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , is a freelance writer based in Atlanta.