The Xavier University of Louisiana, founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is Catholic and historically Black. The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. This preparation takes place in a diverse learning and teaching environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including research and community service.
Xavier University was founded by St. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955) who was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Katharine was born into a deeply religious Catholic family of great wealth. Her profound love of God and neighbor led her to challenge her nation and her Church to end their discriminatory mistreatment of Native Americans and African Americans. She was convinced that evangelization (serving the needs of others and preaching about God's love for everyone) and quality education were the keys to racial justice and empowerment. To this end, she built and staffed Catholic schools for Native and African Americans throughout the United States and founded a congregation of women religious (Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament) who wanted to share in her dedication to God and work for justice.
St. Katharine's foundational vision in the beginning Xavier was the training of students who would become servant-leaders in society, government, and the Church. The words on the cornerstone of Xavier's main administration building were chosen by St. Katharine to reflect that vision: "God's greatest work on earth is man man's master art is leading men to God." Her vision is also found in the Xavier Mission Statement: "The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service"
Xavier began in 1915 as a college-prep high school and became an accredited College in 1925. In keeping with Mother Katharine's vision, in 1968, Dr. Norman Francis, a Xavier graduate, assumed leadership of the University. At the same time, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (SBS) turned over their fiduciary and legal responsibilities to an autonomous lay board. Since that time, the SBS has retained one-third membership on the board, and some SBS has continued to serve at Xavier in both teaching and staff roles.
Although many in the local area were aware of Xavier's existence, it was not until 1932 that the beautiful main building of Xavier's current campus was dedicated to the University's identity as Catholic and Black proclaimed more broadly in newspapers throughout the United States and even in Time magazine. Today that identity remains strong, and Xavier's brand as the only Catholic HBCU (Historically Black College/University) continues to be a source of pride, dignity, and inspiration for the Xavier Community.
In 1980 Xavier's identity was further enhanced and celebrated with the creation of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS.) Housed on Xavier's campus, the Institute began with a Master's degree in Theology and later added Certificate and Enrichment courses in Youth Ministry, Catechesis, and Leadership. The Institute, which meets during the summer, offers an immersion experience that provides African American Catholics and others an opportunity to deepen their understanding of faith and culture and share the gift of being Black and Catholic. Moreover, through its staff, faculty, students, and graduates, the IBCS has been a critical voice and presence that enriches the Church theologically and culturally, at the local and universal levels, and insignificant and powerful ways that only future generations will be able to measure.
Throughout Xavier's existence, its faculty, staff, and students have demonstrated a unique awareness of, and commitment to, our foundational identity. Our identity as Catholic and Black has never been exclusionary. That would be antithetical to our cultural and religious roots. Our faculty, staff, and students have always come from a variety of faith traditions. Our faculty and staff have always been culturally and racially diverse since segregation was outlawed in 1954. Our student body has become increasingly diverse as well.
While our foundational identity as Black and Catholic is unique, over the years, we have expanded our understanding of our heritage to stretch beyond what we look like or where we worship. Our cultural and religious roots have shaped our mission and core values, and so our identity and mission are integrated into every aspect of the University. Our institutional heart and soul will forever be Black and Catholic.
The total enrollment for fall 2017 was 3,044, which includes a freshman class of 716. The University's central academic units are the College of Arts and Sciences (which awards baccalaureate degrees as well as master's degrees in Education and Counseling and a doctorate in Educational Leadership) and the College of Pharmacy (which awards the Doctor of Pharmacy degree). The University also awards the M.Th. in Theology through its Institute for Black Catholic Studies.
From its founding, Xavier has embraced a special mission to serve the African American Catholic community; however, its doors have always been open to qualified students of every race and creed. Today 69.7 percent of its enrollment is African American, and 26 percent is Catholic. More than one-half of Xavier students are from Louisiana (55.6%), primarily from the New Orleans area. Non-local enrollment continues to increase with students coming from 40 other states – most notably Texas and Georgia. Fifteen foreign countries are represented on campus. Student life is enriched by the social and cultural setting of New Orleans, and by campus activities designed to enhance personal growth, interpersonal skills, and leadership in community service, the environment, cultural concerns, and social justice.
The Office of Admissions seeks to enroll a student body that is diverse and in keeping with the offerings within the colleges of the University. The average ACT and SAT (CR&M) scores for entering newcomers in 2015 were 22.7 and 994, respectively. In maintaining its historical commitment to academic excellence, the University attracts many high-achievers, yet it remains committed to admitting a certain percentage of "at-risk" students who exhibit the will to succeed. The Student Academic Success Office provides the resources and support systems to assist all students in being successful. The retention rate of first-time first-year students is 73.9%.
There are 106 historically Black colleges and 251 Catholic colleges in the United States, yet only one is both Black and Catholic. That distinction belongs to the Xavier University of Louisiana, which strives to combine the best attributes of both its faith and its culture.
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