Norman Francis, Pioneering Xavier University President, Dies at 94

Francis was the first Black president of the historically Black Catholic university and played a key role in the civil rights movement in New Orleans.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Norman Francis, who served as president of Xavier University of Louisiana for 47 years and was a pioneering figure in the civil rights movement, died on Wednesday at the age of 94. Francis was the first Black student to integrate the law school at Loyola University in 1952 and the first Black president of Xavier University, a historically Black Catholic institution, in 1968. Under his leadership, Xavier became a powerhouse for producing Black medical students.

Why it matters

Francis was a trailblazer who helped advance civil rights in New Orleans and transform Xavier University into a nationally renowned institution. His long tenure as president and his work in the civil rights movement made him an influential figure in the city and the country.

The details

As president of Xavier from 1968 to 2015, Francis oversaw a period of growth for the university, with enrollment doubling and the endowment growing from $2 million to $161 million. Xavier is consistently cited for sending more Black students to medical school than any other four-year college in the U.S. Francis also played a key role in the civil rights movement, defending student protesters in court and sheltering Freedom Riders in a Xavier dormitory.

  • Francis was born on March 20, 1931 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
  • He was the first Black student to integrate the law school at Loyola University in 1952.
  • Francis became president of Xavier University in 1968, the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
  • He retired from Xavier University in 2015 after 47 years as president, making him the longest-serving college president in America.
  • Francis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2006.

The players

Norman Francis

The first Black president of Xavier University of Louisiana, who played an important role in the civil rights movement in New Orleans.

Moon Landrieu

The mayor of New Orleans who appointed Francis as an advisor on civil rights issues and chairman of the city's civil service commission.

Mitch Landrieu

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

Kathleen Blanco

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

George W. Bush

The president who awarded Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.

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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)

“Norman helped guide him through that the whole way. There wasn't a difficult issue that Norman Francis didn't give him advice on. Counsel, advice, suggestions, guidance — it wasn't like, a little bit.”

— Mitch Landrieu, Former mayor of New Orleans (Interview)

“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 interview)

The takeaway

Norman Francis' long tenure as president of Xavier University and his pioneering role in the civil rights movement in New Orleans made him an influential and transformative figure. His commitment to advancing racial equality and building up Xavier into a nationally renowned institution for Black students left a lasting legacy.