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for academics and affordability. Only 41 such institutions (20 public and 21 private) received the distinction. XU was the only college in Louisiana and one of only three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to make the list. - Sophomore Zahri Jackson of Kingwood TX (Kingwood Park High) and senior Matt Pieri of New Orleans LA (Bro. Martin High) took individual titles at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Cross (GCAC) Cross Country Championships, leading the both the XU men and women to team championships for the seventh consecutive year. - Taylor Reuther, a sophomore prepharmacy major from Metairie LA (Dominican High), has earned both athletic and academic honors for the 2012 volleyball season. She was named Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year for leading the Gold Nuggets to their second straight GCAC conference championship and named to the Capital One Academic All-District 4 college division team. - The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Xavier a new five-year, $1.2 million grant in support of its Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalureate Achievement Program, a federal TRIO program designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in undergraduate research and other scholarly activities. Xavier places 95 percent its McNair participants into graduate and professional school.
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- The XU Department of Business was one of 66 U.S. colleges and universities recognized as a “Top University Sales Program for 2012” by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF). The selected schools were cited for demonstrating a strong sales curriculum, university recognition and support, and the opportunity for experiential learning such as internships. - Xavier’s business team was named a regional champion and Rookie of the Year at the SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) USA Regional Competition held in Dallas, TX. Xavier is one of nearly 600 SIFE programs in the United States. Participating students use business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. - Lauren Day, a third-year (P3) pharmacy student from Missouri City TX (Hightower High School) has been selected as one of 10 New Orleans Schweitzer Fellows by The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF). She joins approximately 240 other new Schweitzer Fellows across the country. - Devinn Rolland, a sophomore chemistry/ pre-pharmacy major from Harvey LA, has already carved a unique niche in Xavier history. She is the first XU freshman to be named an athletic All-American (in track and field) as well as the first to record a 4.0 grade-point average for both semesters during that All-American year.
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WHITE COAT CEREMONY: First-year College of Pharmacy students – (from left) David Jones of LaPlace LA, Jaime Johnston of New Orleans, Katerra Williams of Hammond LA, Kelly Giardina of New Orleans and Brittany Porrier of Kenner LA – sign their professional oaths at the 11th annual White Coat Ceremony.
THE RIGHT FIT: Enthusiastic members of Xavier’s incoming Freshman class – (front, L-R) Taylor Brazley, Chelsey McDonald, Kennedy St. Charles and Kaylen Temple (back, L-R) Kadedra Murph, Thomas Nash III and Roland Daniels – proudly display their new Class of 2016 baseball caps for the first time following the annual “capping” ceremony, part of the University’s week-long New Student Orientation program.
CORONATION BALL: Nikki Odofin, a senior psychology/premed major from DeRidder LA, is officially crowned Miss Xavier 2012-13 by XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis before a packed University Center Ballroom audience during the Annual Ball and Coronation.