Xavier College of Louisiana raised over $2 million at its Centennial Gala, offered by Ochsner Well being.
Hosted as a part of the college’s A centesimal-anniversary fête to pay homage to a century of excellence and neighborhood affect, the occasion honored the historic legacy and ongoing contributions of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and President Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis.
It was hosted by actor and comic Invoice Bellamy. R&B/Soul legend Jeffrey Osborne carried out, and journalist Bryant Gumbel made remarks.
“When Saint Katharine Drexel based Xavier College, she dared to think about a world the place schooling is an instrument of justice, a power for therapeutic, and a path towards management for these the world too usually overlooks,” defined Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret.
“She planted a seed of hope that has flourished with each technology. We honor the unimaginable legacy that brings us to this centennial celebration and look forward. The funds raised by the gala — each reward, each act of generosity — will instantly assist scholarships, guaranteeing that extra college students have entry to the schooling they deserve and the long run they dream of.”
One of the crucial notable contributions got here from NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who pledged $500,000 to Xavier in honor of Norman C. Francis (’52), who went on to guide the College for 47 years as president.
Beneath his management, Xavier turned a frontrunner in sending Black college students to medical college, the campus neighborhood expanded, enrollment tripled, and the college’s historic legacy started to form. Dr. Francis is widely known as a trailblazer in schooling and civil rights who has made profound contributions to the nation.
“The mark of a fantastic man is who exhibits up,” Johnson mentioned in his tribute to Dr. Francis on the Gala. “As a result of the person that you’re, all the good issues that you simply’ve executed in your stellar profession. And all of the individuals that you simply helped. You turned profitable by your nice management at Xavier… In your honor, I’m going to provide Xavier $500,000.”
All proceeds from the gala will assist scholar scholarships.
“Our Centennial Gala was a stupendous success,” mentioned Phillip D. Adams, Vice President of Institutional Development. “Not simply that it honored Xavier’s storied legacy, however that we raised greater than $2 million to safe the futures of deserving college students who select a Xavier schooling.
In simply 100 years, Xavier has amassed numerous accolades, solidifying itself as a frontrunner. I’m honored that we have now been capable of steadily increase essential scholarship funds, and I sit up for what we will obtain in our subsequent 100 years of excellence.”
Courtesy: Xavier College of Louisiana
