Xavier’s Dr. Francis honored by Catholic historical association

    Dr. Norman C. Francis, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, received the “Distinguished Service to Catholic Studies” award from the American Catholic Historical Association.
    Bentley Anderson, director of the historical association, said Francis’ leadership had led to Xavier’s commitment “to promoting Catholicism and the Catholic experience within the African-American context.”
    “Dr. Francis embodies the spirit of this award wholly,” Anderson said.
    Since the mid-1970s, the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) established by Francis at Xavier University has been a center for the study of the Black Catholic experience as well as a means for preparing lay women and men, religious and clergy for more meaningful and effective ministry within the black community, thereby fostering leadership among black Catholics for the vitality of the church.
    The award acknowledges the exceptional contributions of those who “promote study and research of the history of Catholicism broadly conceived” apart from teaching and publication.
    Francis was recognized along with two other honorees – Marvin O’Connell, professor emeritus of history, University of Notre Dame, who received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Scholarship; and Benedictine Father Cyprian Davis, professor emeritus of church history at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, received the Distinguished Teaching Award.
    The awards were bestowed Jan. 5 in New Orleans.
    Francis is the longest-sitting university president in the United States and has served as president of Xavier, the nation’s only historically black Catholic university, since 1968.
    During his tenure, Xavier has more than doubled its enrollment, broadened its curriculum, expanded its campus and strengthened its financial base. Today Xavier is not only highly regarded as a leader in minority education, but is also recognized as a national leader in science and the health professions.
    Named as one of “America’s Best Leaders” in 2009 by the U.S. News Media Group and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Francis is often cited for his involvement in the community and his work on the national, state and local levels to improve education.
    In 2006 then-President George W. Bush presented him with the nation’s highest civil award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.