LEFT: Re-live the glory days of Xavier athletics at a special exhibit, "Xavier University 1925-2001," now on display on the third floor of the Library Resource Center. The exhibit features team and game photographs, publications, trophies and other memorabilia from XU's intercollegiate and intramural teams and spirit groups. CENTER: Music faculty member Darah Rahming (second from right) greets four senior music performance majors from New Orleans – (L to R) Myron Hartford (Clark High School), Danielle Edinburgh-Wilson (McDonogh 35), Paul Robertson (St. Augustine) and Charles James (St. Augustine) – who are back on campus after sending their summer performing with assorted ensembles in Norway, Spain, Turkey/Greece and Spain, respectively, this past summer. Rahming herself toured with Porgy & Bess in Germany. RIGHT: World-renowned architect Cesar Pelli gets a tour of the campus from President Norman Francis while in New Orleans for the unveiling of his design for the new St. Katharine Drexel Chapel – construction of which is expected to begin next spring.

LEFT: Enthusiastic members of Xavier’s incoming Freshman class proudly display their new Class of 2013 baseball caps for the first time following the annual “capping” ceremony, part of the University's week-long New Student Orientation program. CENTER: A pair of coeds stop on the way to class to take advantage of one of the many hand sanitizer dispensers placed around the campus – part the University’s efforts to insure the continued health and well-being of faculty, staff and students during the nationwide H1N1 flu pandemic. RIGHT: First-year College of Pharmacy students sign their professional oaths at the annual White Coat Ceremony, during which the neophyte students received their first professional uniform - the white jacket - symbolizing ethical practice and signifying the beginning of their professional pharmacy educations.

The newest class of freshmen hits the campus for move-in day and the beginning of New Student Orientation Week and the fall semester: (left) Sharita Watkins of New Orleans and grandmother Rita Claiborne get a hand unloading their van from peer dean Kent Seals; (center) Christopher Nash of Ft. Wayne IN arrives on campus with his dad, Robert Nash Jr. '87, and mom, Barbara Nash; (right) Timothy Jackson of Auburn AL gets an assist from dad Eddie Jackson, sister Kimberly Jackson (herself an XU sophomore) and mom JoAnn Jackson.

(left) Joyous participants beat the drums during the Closing Liturgy & Ministerial Commissioning for this summer's Institute for Black Catholic Studies - click HERE for more photos; (center) Lisa Ray '91 and Leta Knighten '87 (flanking XU President Norman C. Francis '52) were among over 60 Xavier-educated pharmacists from the Chicago area who attended a reception at the Metropolitan Club hosted by the Office of Institutional Advancement to educate alumni about the ongoing College of Pharmacy expansion; (right) The City of New Orleans patiently waits in the background as the Qatar Pavilion expansion of the College of Pharmacy begins to take shape with workers systematically building up the levels floor-by-floor. Target date for completion is Spring 2010.

(left) Area alumni, family and friends enjoy the music at the New Orleans Alumni Club's annual Jazz Brunch; (center) It was all smiles at the grand opening of the College of Pharmacy’s new Health & Wellness Center, located next to the Wal-Mart store in Harahan, La. Among those on hand for the event were: (from left) COP associate dean Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, COP dean Dr. Wayne Harris, Walmart-Mart pharmacist Brandi Puglise ’04, XU president Dr. Norman C. Francis, renowned local chef Leah Chase and Center director Dr. William Kirchain. (right) Participants in the College of Pharmacy's COE Summer Enrichment program - (from left) Laurent Condor, Brandon Allen, Dominique Cook and Jalen Johnson - calculate the volume and density of unknown sustances during a lab sessions.

(left) Biology/pre-med majors (from left) Candice Glasgow of Los Angeles CA and Bianca Villavaso of New Orleans, here setting up a meter stick to measure force and torque during a physics class, are among the savvy students taking advantage this year’s summer session and program offerings; (center) Lagniappe Weekend, a summer initiation for regional students already admitted for the Fall 2009 semester, drew standing-room-only crowds; (right) President Norman Francis gets personal with incoming students and parents. [Click here for more Lagniappe Weekend photos]

(left) Prospective students from KIIP Pride High School in Gaston NC get a student-guided tour of the Science Complex; (center) Labs are alive once again as the Summer Session gets underway; (right) Seniors Paris Florence (left) and Meaghan Triplett of New Orleans put the finishing touches on a whimsical mural created by artist Elizabeth Traina for the Speech Pathology’s audiology booth, designed to soften the apprehension levels of their younger clients.

(left) President Norman Francis congratulates Lauchland Roberts and Kenesha Pace after they were awarded the University's top service awards - the St. Katharine Drexel and Mother Agatha Ryan awards, respectively - at the Baccaluareate Mass and Honors Convocation; (center) Nine 4.0 summa cum laude graduates - (front row, from left) Rosica Stanilova, Kirk LeBouef, Joseph Drexler-Dreis, Brittany Richardson, and Tina Tweedley, (back row) Jade Vincent, Grace Thacker, James Peavy and Mona Wexler - share a moment with Dr. Francis and the two honorary award recipients just prior to the ceremony; (right) Honorary degree recipients Donna Brazile and Forest Whitaker flank Dr. Francis on the Lakefront Arena Stage. Visit HERE for more commencement photos.

(left) President Norman Francis brings members of the National Alumni Board of Governors up-to-date on campus improvements and prospects for next year; (center) Biology professor Sister Grace Mary Flickinger SBS receives a medallion and certificate from VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Loren Blanchard and President Norman Francis during the first-ever Eminent Scholars 2009 Endowed Chairs and Professors Ceremony {visit HERE for more photos); (right) Soon-to-graduate pharmacy majors take the Pharmacist's Professional Oath during the annual College of Pharmacy Awards Banquet.

(left) President Norman Francis drops in on the krewe of student callers contacting Xavierites and friends seeking their financial support of the University’s vital mission during the 2009 Annual Fund Drive phonathon. (center) Following a time-honored college tradition, junior biology/pre-med majors (clockwise from bottom left) Leah Louisville of San Antonio TX (Earl Warren High), Cameron Williams of Temecula CA (Temecula High), Candace Hopgood of Normal IL (North Community West High) and Takeya Shanks of Springdale MD (Charles Flowers High) got together and hit the books extra hard when final exam time arrived; (right) Terry Scott, CEO of Scott Management Team DBA McDonald's Restaurant, (holding plaque) congratulates the winners of the XU Entrepreneurship Institute's campus-wide student business competition, including (from left) Verina Walker, Bretton LeFlore, Aaron Burgess, Jarroid Warner, Scott, Dominique Payne, Lawrence Chambers, Kory Twaites and Alexandra Broussard.

(left) Senior administrator-turned chef-for-the-day Calvin Tregre muscles past fellow VP Joseph Byrd and real-life Sodexho Chef Sirk Burras to secure some ingredients during the Quickfire Challenge held in the XU Dining Hall; (center) Biology professor Dr. Peter Barrett and five of his student researchers - Allan Augillard, Jenna Hill, Rebekah Sadaiappen, Lynez Preyan and Candice Lightbourne - proudly display their poster presenations at the annual Festival of Scholars, a campus-wide showcase of the scholarly student research sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research; (right) President Norman Francis makes remarks at the ground-breaking for the Louisiana Cancer Research Center.

(left) The current leadership of the XU Employee Credit Union – board treasurer and general manager Clifford Wright, veteran administrative assistant Gloria Wright, and board president William Jeffrion – enjoy a special campus luncheon celebrating the 50th anniversary of the venerable educational financial institution; (center) Students enjoy a clown and his balloon creations during the annual Springfest Celebration; (right) Meghan Ford, Arabic instructor Hind Ohmani, XU Language chair Dr. Susan Spillman, Najia Yassin and Ashley King don native Moroccan garb for a special presentation on life and culture in the northwest African nation. The program included a Moroccan buffet, a powerpoint presentation, music, a poster display and objects d'art from Morocco. 

(left) XU coeds get a demonstration of the latest computer applications from an Apple representative during the annual Technology Day, sponsored by the Office of Technology Administration (OTA) and the Information Technology Center (ITC); (center) freshmen Sydney Forneret and Whitney McGruder haul off the free gifts and prizes they won while attending the Technology Day event; (right) Admissions counselor Bryan Carraway chats with current XU sophomore Kelly Reddix, her sister and prospective student Robin Reddix and their mom Sondra Reddick during the Office of Admission's annual spring Open House.

(left) Business professionals address a classroom of XU students during the annual campus visit of the Youth Motivation Task Force/Black Executive Exchange Program (YMTF/BEEP); (center) Members of the Class of 2009 take advantage of rare opportunity to don their graduation gowns at the annual Black History Month Convocation; (right) Senior Cher’Lynn Shaw and juniors Stephen Willams and April Harry hang out with long-time XU math professor Dr. Lester Jones at the 23rd annual Fattah Conference on Higher Education.

(left) Historian Clarence Becknell '75 points out 1949 Life magazine cover trumpeting the late Louis Armstrong as King of Zulu, part of the “From Tramps to Kings” exhibit now on display through December 2009 at the Louisiana State Museum next to Jackson Square. The impressive display covers the history of Zulu from 1909 to the present via a vast collection of photos, artifacts and costumes; (center) Gold Rush standout Shaun Dumas splits three Dillard defenders on his way to scoring in XU’s 60-55 win, completing a sweep of the men’s/women’s doubleheader at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Crosstown Classic that drew 4,500-plus fans to  the New Orleans Arena: (right) Arcadia University representative Todd Karr explains his school's study abroad programs to freshman Jade Young and sophomore Erica Lewis during the Center for Intercultural and International Programs sponsored Study Abroad Fair held in the NCF Annex lobby.

(left) Comedian and leading civil rights activist Dick Gregory, keynote speaker for the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week for Peace celebration, fires up the audience; (center) Okay, so it's not REALLY Barack Obama, but these coeds couldn't be more pleased pose with a cardboard facsimile of the new president during a day-long inauguration event held on campus; (right) Dr./Sr. Jamie Phelps leads a discussion group during the Black-Jewish Conference that also drew a crowd to campus.

(left) The long holiday break behind them, students returned to campus for registration and the beginning of the Spring 2009 semester; (center) Construction progresses at a steady pace on the College of Pharmacy’s Qatar Pavilion as workers complete the slab/support for the western stairwell. The final piles are being driven with pouring of the foundation to follow. The expected completion date is Fall 2009. (right) The excitement is building as Xavier and Dillard get ready to renew their long-running basketball rivalry Jan. 24 at the New Orleans Arena, with this year’s home men’s/women’s doubleheader being sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

An unexpected early Christmas gift of snowfall arrives on the XU campus on Dec. 11 right in the midst of finals. (top left) Xavier signage looks like a Christmas Card; (top center) Students take advantage of the occasion to create a new "Frosty" friend; (top right) Palm trees fronting the Administration Building flatten out under the non-tropical weight; (bottom left) Early morning light sees the first flakes begin to fall; (bottom center) Any time is right for a snowball fight; (bottom right) Walking to class never looked so good. Visit HERE for higher resolution copies of these and other photos.

NCF ANNIVERSARY GALA - ALUMNI HOMECOMING 2008

Long-time XU President Norman Francis was showered with tributes at the Legacy for a Legend 40th Anniversay Tribute presented by Liberty Bank. (left) President Francis chats with Master of Ceremonies Bill Cosby Jr. and Liberty Bank President Alden McDonald; (center) Chair of the XU Board of Trustees Dr. Myron Moorehead and artist Thomas Bruno unveil a bronze bust of Dr. Francis; (right) Bishop Roger Morin from the Archdiocese of New Orleans presents Dr. Francis with a special Vatican Medallion sent by Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI and N.O. Archbishop Alfred Hughes. Visit HERE for more Gala photos.

(left) Joy Bachemin Joseph '60 accepts the 2008 Victor H. Labat Alumnus of the Year Award from (L-R) National Alumni President Frederick Carter '69, the late Victory Labat's grandson Michael Labat, Jr. '90 and XU President Norman Francis '52 at the annual Homecoming Gala; (center)The annual Alumni Banquet drew a sell out crowd of more than 600 attendees to the University Center Ballroom, including these happy alums; (right) Current students and alums got together for several events during Homecoming Week, including the Gold Rush basketball game in The Barn. Visit HERE for more Homecoming photos.

(left) President Norman Francis accepts a check representing matching funds to establish new endowed professorships during the annual Louisiana State Board of Regents event, hosted this year by Xavier; (center) Lagina Williams, a senior biology/premed major from Merrillville, Ind., is officially crowned Miss Xavier 2008-2009 the annual Coronation Ball [visit HERE for more ball photos]; (right) Aetna executive Floyd Green and XU professor Dr. Joe Ricks present sophomore accounting major Erin Lewis with a Wii during Business Week.

(left) Some of the more than 1,800 students who are registered in New Orleans line up to cast their vote in the Nov. 4 Presidential election. Xavier was host to a mega precinct for the surrounding neighborhood as well. (center) Basketball is back - the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets both opened their 2008-2009 seasons with victories. (right) The Black Entertainment Television (BET) Black College Tour had the campus shaking during its annual visit.

(left) Genee Bailey, a P3 pharmacy major from Gretna, LA (Archbishop Blenk), takes the blood pressure of one of shoppers at the Lakeside Mall Shopping Center who stopped by to learn more about Diabetes and to receive free glucose and blood pressure tests from College of Pharmacy students and faculty during the annual "Operation Diabetes"; (center) A large contigent of faculty, staff and students join in on the highlight of every campus Wellness Week: the mile-long Walk with the President, headed by Dr. Norman C. Francis. (right) A panel discussion addressing the U.S. economic crisis, the bailout, the potential long-term effects and the cost of inaction drew a large crowd at the University Center. It was just one was the activities during Business Week, sponsored by the Division of Business.

(left) A student choir under the direction of Veronica Downs-Dorsey sing praises during the Institute for Black Catholic Studies' seminar Being Black and Catholic; (center) Workers lay the extensive piping as construction on the College of Pharmacy's Qatar Pavilion progresses; (right) New artwork graces the Quad areas of the campus – part of the Sculpture for New Orleans project, a two-year exhibition placing monumental sculptures throughout th city to bring attention to the visual arts and artists of post-Katrina New Orleans. The XU Art Department assisted with installation here on campus.

(left) President Norman Francis chats with WWL radio personality Garland Robinette during the station's live remote broadcast on campus; (center) More than 600 Xavier students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends showed up in force to help raise monies for the University and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) at the 21st annual Fund Run in Audubon Park; (right) Senior Lauren Williamson of New Orleans and freshman Princess Carter of Philadelphia enjoy the cooler temperatures and the new patio area recently finished by the University Center.

(left) Students Tracy Daniel, Jalessa Novalez and Kevin Barnes take a few minutes to re-enlist in the University’s e2Campus emergency text message alert system for the new academic year. More than 1,200 members of the campus community signed up during the first week of re-enrollment. (center) Members of the Class of 2010 team up with the U.S. Army for a rock-climbing activity during Junior Week. (right) Biology professor Dr.Peter Barrett holds an "open lab" - giving note-taking a guided tour of his C. elegans (worm) research.

(left) XU President Norman Francis shares a laugh with Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal after introducing her as the keynote speaker at the United Nego College Fund's first Louisiana Governor's Luncheon held in Baton Rouge. Proceeds from the luncheon will support UNCF’s schools in the state. (center) Former NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr. engages XU students following his presentation at a Freshman Seminar. He is founder of the non-profit Harris Foundation, Inc. to advocate for more effective math/science education and youth crime prevention programs. (right) Classes were back to normal this past week as students, staff and faculty hurried back to campus after a one-day closure to let Hurricane Ike pass by.

(top left) President Norman Francis continues his tradition of personally awarding each degree at Xavier's 81st annual commencement ceremony; (top center) Seeing double - Alicia and Angela Pressley - one of four sets of twins to graduate together this year; (top right) Keynote speaker Tavis Smiley makes a point; (bottom left) Pharm.D. graduates celebrate their success; (bottom center) Families are always a big part of occasion; (bottom right) Several states away and 12 hours earlier, President Francis is joined by his daughter Christina Francis, University of Miami trustee Bob Simms '49, and UM athletic director Paul De at the Florida university's commencement, where he was awarded the most recent of his 39 honorary degrees. Visit here for more commencement photos.

(top left) President Norman Francis greets Her Excellency Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani upon the State of Qatar delegation's arrival on campus; (top center) Officials participate in the official "groundbreaking"; (top right) Pharmacy student Danielle Ardoin thanks His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani for his financial support for the expansion and student scholarships; (bottom left) Francis gives HH the Amir a tour of the campus, with demolition of old Student Center in background; (bottom center) Some of nearly 500 students who have received Qatar scholarships pose with HH the Amir; (bottom right) Francis presents HH the Amir with a pharmacy mortar and pestle as a gift to remember the occasion.

(left) President Norman Francis chats with Nike representatives at the grand opening of the new major Nike outlet store near the campus at Tulane and South Carrollton Avenues; (center) Workers use a crane to carefully remove a treasured John T. Scott art piece [ "The Three Faces of St. Francis Xavier"] from the old Student Center, which is coming down to make room for future construction; (right) President Francis welcomes U.S. Senator John McCain and his wife to the campus, where the presidential hopeful conducted a "town hall" meeting.

(left) Dr. Thomas Scheye, a strategic consultant engaged by Xavier to help facilitate the development of the campus master plan, conducts a “town hall” meeting with faculty and senior administrators to garner feedback on newly released committee reports. Similar meetings were held for XU staff and students; (center) the Rev. Maurice Taylor '02 returns to home to his alma mater to Xavier to teach theology; and (right) Albertson's representatives Jackie McCray and Craig Cooude try to recruit pharmacy majors Huong Tran and My-Trang Luong at the annual College of Pharmacy Career Fair.