151:
523:, the religious order which conducts Xavier University, offered him the post of dean of men, which he accepted. He then began a rise to higher administrative positions at the university. From dean of men in 1957, he advanced to director of student personnel services in 1963, assistant to the president for student affairs in 1964, assistant to the president in charge of development in 1965 and executive vice president in 1967.
343:
25:
534:
During the following 40 years, Francis guided Xavier
University's growth in both size and dimension. The university has more than tripled its enrollment, broadened its curriculum and expanded its campus. At Xavier, Francis presided over a major expansion of campus facilities and enrollment growth of
508:
About that same time, Francis acted as counsel for the Xavier student body president, Rudolph
Lombard, who had been arrested for attempting to integrate the lunch counter at McCrory's on Canal Street in New Orleans. It was those experiences that led him to choose the path of education over that of a
472:
The "work" part of this scholarship landed him in the university library, where he repaired damaged books. By his senior year he had worked himself up to night supervisor of library services. Francis was an honor student and was president of his class all four years. In his senior year he was chosen
453:
His parents felt that
Francis, his three sisters and his brother needed an education. Norman and his brother and sisters attended Catholic schools and his parents saw to it that the children rarely missed school. "I had to have a fever, and really be ill before I dared to try to miss school," he has
516:, an integrated group testing application of the Supreme Court decision banning discrimination in interstate rail and bus travel, in a campus dormitory when they were flown to New Orleans by Federal Marshals after having been attacked in three Alabama cities (Anniston, Birmingham and Montgomery).
488:
He has said that one reason that he was accepted was because he had been active in the
National Federation of Catholic Colleges, where he became acquainted with several of the Jesuit fathers on the Loyola University faculty. Francis graduated from Loyola with honors with a Doctor of Jurisprudence
468:
After he graduated from St. Paul High School in 1948, he turned his interest toward the military, but because of the interest of one of the teaching sisters at St. Paul High School, Francis found himself with a work scholarship to Xavier
University in New Orleans.
489:
degree in 1955 and he began to practice law. He soon decided that the law was not for him. "I could have made a great deal of money," he said later, "but I could help only a few people. The future belongs to those who are educated, so I turned to education."
526:
In 1968, the
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament promoted him to the post of president of the university, the first lay, male and black head of the university. Coincidentally, he accepted the presidency at Xavier on the same day, April 4, as the
450:, the son of poor parents, neither of whom had finished high school. His father was a barber who rode to work each day on a bicycle because the family did not own a car. He earned pocket money by shining shoes on Lafayette's main street.
581:
On
November 21, 2008, in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Francis celebrated his 40th year as President of Xavier University at the 40th Anniversary Gala, themed "Legacy for a Legend". The event was hosted by
1327:
512:
During the turbulent times just preceding the Civil Rights
Movement he returned to Xavier University. In 1961, while dean of men, he played a key role in Xavier's decision to house the
551:
942:
628:
1307:
670:
Loving Cup of 1991 - Awarded annually to New
Orleans citizens who have worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public recognition or material award.
538:
On
September 2, 2014, Francis announced his plan to retire from his post as Xavier's president in June 2015 after serving the university in this capacity for 47 years.
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934:, the National Advisory Research Council of the US Department of Health and Human Resources, and the National Assessment of Higher Education Program.
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565:, has received 35 honorary degrees, and was named among the 100 most effective college presidents in a poll published in the
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1007:
America's Longest-Presiding University President: An Interview with Dr. Norman C. Francis of Xavier University of Louisiana
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the president of the student body.. Francis earned a B.S. degree from the university in 1952. He then became the first
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616:), was renamed to Norman C. Francis Parkway, effective January 1, 2021. The road runs by the southern end of Xavier.
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701:
Weiss Brotherhood Award - New Orleans Chapter of the National Association of Christians and Jews - November 10, 1988
285:
president of the school, and the second African American to ever serve as president of a Catholic university in the
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and the Southern Education Foundation, and president of the American Association of Higher Education and the
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Pioneer in Education Award (1994) - Institute for Independent Education, Washington, D.C. - October 1, 1994
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465:, would later become an auxiliary bishop who retired from active ministry in 1995 and died in 1997.
1145:"Norman Francis, legendary civil rights and higher education leader, to receive 2019 Laetare Medal"
887:
872:
462:
899:
Francis was married to his wife Blanche from 1955 until her death in 2015. They had six children.
608:
of 2020, the city of New Orleans renamed a street in Francis's honor. The thoroughfare, named for
1192:
1158:
City Council renames Jeff Davis Parkway for Norman Francis; other street, park names could follow
854:
794:
498:
324:
in 2019. He has received 35 honorary degrees from colleges and universities around the country.
64:
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Social Justice Award - given by the Southern Dominican Friars Province - November 17, 1998
609:
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313:
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1121:"Celebrating Dr. Norman Francis at his last Xavier University commencement: Editorial"
1271:
1169:
Dr. Norman C. Francis hopes street named in his honor brings people together as 'one'
720:
598:
587:
317:
286:
244:
First Black student at Loyola University New Orleans; first lay president of Xavier.
1262:
1053:
Loyola alum Dr. Norman Francis, J.D., named Gambit Weekly New Orleanian of the year
704:
Friends of Public Education Award - United Teachers of New Orleans - April 25, 1987
505:. He then rejoined the U.S. Attorney's Office to help integrate federal agencies.
1216:
1050:
884:
Our Lady of the Holy Cross College (New Orleans) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1998
1256:
953:, the Board of Regents of Loyola University, and the board of directors of the
370:. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced
1033:
Katherine Mangan "America's Longest-Serving College President Has More to Do"
583:
978:
297:
945:, the executive committee of the college and University Department of the
642:
277:(born March 20, 1931) is an American academic who served as president of
622:
Selected Community Honors & Awards Received by Dr. Norman C. Francis
296:, the state agency in charge of planning the recovery and rebuilding of
730:
Monte M. Lemann Award - Louisiana Civil Service League - July 12, 1974
1187:. Xavier University of Louisiana, Archives & Special Collections.
661:
Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, 1998 Laureate - May 8, 1998
282:
217:
208:
1079:
Black, White, and Catholic: New Orleans interracialism, 1947-1956
779:
St. Peter's College (New Jersey) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1977
695:
454:
said. His parents also made certain that the children attended
336:
63:
from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially
18:
155:
Francis receives Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2006, from
601:
at Notre Dame's 174th University Commencement Ceremony.
1328:
Heads of universities and colleges in the United States
552:
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
458:
on Sunday and were punctual in their religious duties.
308:. For his various avenues of service, he received the
281:
from 1968 to 2015. He was the first Black and first
262:
248:
240:
232:
224:
200:
192:
163:
141:
698:'s Distinguished Service Award - February 17, 1989
955:National Catholic Council for Interracial Justice
687:Hornblower of the Year - New Orleans Chapter of
845:(Pennsylvania) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1990
827:(Pennsylvania) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1988
743:Honorary Degrees from Colleges and Universities
932:National Commission on Excellence in Education
922:and chairman of the board of directors of the
586:, and featured a performance by Grammy winner
1110:, September 13, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
890:(New Jersey) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1998
857:(New Jersey) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1993
815:(District of Columbia) - Doctor of Laws, 1986
764:(New Jersey) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1969
652:, New Orleans Area Council - December 2, 1998
629:Knight Commanders of the Order of St. Gregory
8:
1259:at The National Visionary Leadership Project
1257:Norman Francis's oral history video excerpts
1252:Partnership for Public Service board profile
1215:. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Archived from
924:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
485:for his J.D., a degree he received in 1955.
869:(Massachusetts) - Doctor of Education, 1995
851:(New York) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1992
839:(Maryland) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1988
821:(New York) - Doctor of Humane Letters, 1988
631:- conferral of Papal Honor by His Holiness
292:Francis also served as the chairman of the
1197:: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
926:and Educational Testing System and of the
752:(Pennsylvania) - Doctor of Education, 1969
574:In December 2006, Francis was awarded the
546:Francis has been chairman of the board of
149:
138:
56:about living persons that is unsourced or
947:National Catholic Educational Association
434:Learn how and when to remove this message
127:Learn how and when to remove this message
1308:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
999:
997:
995:
939:Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
1338:Catholic University of America trustees
1288:21st-century African-American academics
966:
875:(New Orleans) - Doctor of Letters, 1995
529:assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
1242:Louisiana Recovery Authority biography
1190:
937:He has been a member of the Vatican's
758:(Massachusetts) - Doctor of Laws, 1969
717:School Board Award - February 25, 1986
593:On May 19, 2019, Francis received the
519:Because of his scholastic record, the
1333:Xavier University of Louisiana alumni
1178:
1176:
1011:. The Black Collegian. Archived from
803:(Pennsylvania) - Doctor of Laws, 1983
707:10th Annual Integritas Vitae Award -
563:American Academy of Arts and Sciences
7:
1303:Loyola University New Orleans alumni
1263:The Historymakers: Norman C. Francis
791:(New Orleans) - Doctor of Laws, 1982
785:(New Orleans) - Doctor of Laws, 1980
677:, President's Council - October 1991
881:(Ohio) - Doctor of Humanities, 1998
689:Public Relations Society of America
1247:Xavier University president's page
918:He has served as president of the
813:The Catholic University of America
797:(Minnesota) - Doctor of Laws, 1983
776:(Wisconsin) - Doctor of Laws, 1977
14:
1035:The Chronicle of Higher Education
1313:People from Lafayette, Louisiana
1057:. Loyola University of Louisiana
975:"Xavier University of Louisiana"
833:(Indiana) - Doctor of Laws, 1988
770:(Vermont) - Doctor of Laws, 1972
521:Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
341:
23:
1293:21st-century American academics
1082:. Vanderbilt University Press.
949:, the Board of Trustees of the
863:(Oregon) - Doctor of Laws, 1994
501:from 1956 to 1957 and became a
951:Catholic University of America
684:Foundation of Louisiana - 1990
682:American Civil Liberties Union
648:Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award -
279:Xavier University of Louisiana
236:Xavier University of Louisiana
205:Xavier University of Louisiana
1:
928:Southern Education Foundation
727:of Greater New Orleans - 1982
675:Loyola University New Orleans
576:Presidential Medal of Freedom
568:Chronicle of Higher Education
479:Loyola University New Orleans
310:Presidential Medal of Freedom
267:Presidential Medal of Freedom
214:Loyola University New Orleans
1104:"Norman C. Francis (1931- )"
1076:R. Bentley Anderson (2005).
941:, the advisory board of the
906:in 1991, and is a member of
483:Loyola University Law School
352:biography of a living person
294:Louisiana Recovery Authority
34:biography of a living person
1323:United States Army soldiers
1183:Francis, Norman C. (2002).
694:National Alumni Council of
561:He is also a fellow of the
548:Educational Testing Service
372:must be removed immediately
61:must be removed immediately
1374:
1343:African-American Catholics
1318:Educators from New Orleans
801:University of Pennsylvania
275:Norman Christopher Francis
168:Norman Christopher Francis
920:United Negro College Fund
756:College of the Holy Cross
733:Torch of Liberty Award -
556:United Negro College Fund
148:
1358:Roman Catholic activists
1353:Laetare Medal recipients
1348:Catholics from Louisiana
930:. He is a member of the
849:New York Medical College
837:Johns Hopkins University
831:University of Notre Dame
673:Adjutor Hominum Award -
595:University of Notre Dame
481:, where he attended the
333:Early life and education
322:University of Notre Dame
807:Miami University (Ohio)
680:Benjamin Smith Award -
861:University of Portland
809:- Doctor of Laws, 1985
735:Anti-Defamation League
612:(the president of the
497:Francis served in the
366:Please help by adding
48:Please help by adding
1219:on September 22, 2010
1108:Blackpast.org website
902:He was invested as a
762:Seton Hall University
650:Boy Scouts of America
639:"From Whence We Came"
606:George Floyd protests
361:references or sources
774:Marquette University
768:St. Michaels College
750:Villanova University
721:Whitney M. Young Jr.
656:St. Martin de Porres
448:Lafayette, Louisiana
446:Francis was born in
249:Board member of
185:Lafayette, Louisiana
54:Contentious material
873:Notre Dame Seminary
825:St. Vincent College
737:- December 11, 1971
645:- February 25, 1999
643:All State Insurance
463:Joseph Abel Francis
1213:"Prominent Alphas"
855:Rutgers University
795:Hamline University
668:The Times Picayune
635:- January 29, 2000
499:United States Army
350:This section of a
1089:978-0-8265-1483-7
1037:January 14, 2013
1015:on 17 August 2017
879:Xavier University
843:Drexel University
789:Loyola University
783:Tulane University
709:Loyola University
633:Pope John Paul II
542:Honors and awards
444:
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418:
316:in 2006, and the
302:Hurricane Katrina
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37:needs additional
16:American academic
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1298:Knights of Malta
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1147:. 31 March 2019.
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977:. Archived from
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888:Felician College
867:Wheelock College
715:Jefferson Parish
475:African-American
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383:"Norman Francis"
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368:reliable sources
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1185:Personal Resume
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1221:. Retrieved
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1013:the original
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983:. Retrieved
979:the original
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914:Affiliations
910:fraternity.
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691:- June 1990
614:Confederacy
193:Nationality
1272:Categories
1130:2017-12-24
985:2013-03-10
961:References
943:Josephites
604:After the
584:Bill Cosby
394:newspapers
225:Occupation
174:1931-03-20
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1193:cite book
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355:does not
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320:from the
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1199:link
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1063:2012
1021:2012
696:UNCF
456:Mass
387:news
359:any
304:and
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