Norman Francis, Pioneering President of Xavier University, Dies at 94

Francis was the first Black president of the historically Black Catholic university, serving for 47 years until his retirement in 2015.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Norman Francis, the pioneering first Black president of Xavier University of Louisiana, died at the age of 94. He served as president of the historically Black Catholic university for 47 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2015, making him the longest-serving college president in America. Under his leadership, Xavier became a powerhouse for producing Black medical students, consistently sending more Black students to medical school than any other four-year college in the U.S.

Why it matters

Francis was a trailblazer in the civil rights movement in New Orleans, integrating Loyola University's law school in 1952 and later serving as an adviser to the city's first Black mayor, Moon Landrieu, on civil rights issues. His long tenure and transformative impact at Xavier University cemented his legacy as a pioneering leader in higher education and the fight for racial equality.

The details

Francis was born in 1931 in Lafayette, Louisiana and grew up in a Catholic household that valued education. He graduated from Xavier University in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, then received his law degree from Loyola University in 1955. After serving in the U.S. Army, Francis joined a pioneering Black law firm in New Orleans and became dean of men at Xavier in 1957. He was appointed president of the university on the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Under his leadership, Xavier's enrollment doubled, its endowment grew from $2 million to $161 million, and it became renowned for producing Black medical students.

  • Francis was the first Black student to integrate the law school at Loyola University in 1952.
  • He became president of Xavier University in 1968, the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
  • Francis retired from Xavier University in 2015 after 47 years as president, making him the longest-serving college president in America.

The players

Norman Francis

The first Black president of Xavier University of Louisiana, who served in that role for 47 years until his retirement in 2015, making him the longest-serving college president in America. He was a pioneering figure in the civil rights movement in New Orleans.

Moon Landrieu

The mayor of New Orleans who appointed Francis as an adviser on civil rights issues after being elected in 1970.

Mitch Landrieu

The son of former New Orleans mayor Moon Landrieu, who recalled that Francis provided crucial advice and guidance to his father on civil rights matters.

Blanche Francis

Norman Francis' wife, who died in 2015.

Kathleen Blanco

The governor of Louisiana who appointed Francis as chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

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What they’re saying

“Down in the arena is where things happen. Up in the galleries are the critics. They fight no fights. They're not going to move a finger to change it.”

— Norman Francis (Xavier University interview (2019)

“Those three guys walked up to me and said, 'We want you to know that if you ever need a friend, we're going to be your friend.'”

— Norman Francis (The New York Times (2013)

“It erased forever, if I had any doubts, about whether I was talented enough to compete with another race that was felt by others to be superior.”

— Norman Francis (The HistoryMakers (2002)

What’s next

The Francis family plans to hold a public memorial service for Norman Francis at Xavier University in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Norman Francis' pioneering leadership at Xavier University and his lifelong commitment to civil rights and racial equality cemented his legacy as a transformative figure in higher education and the fight for justice in New Orleans and beyond.