Dr. Francis served as president of Xavier from 1968 to 2015, becoming one of the longest-serving and most successful university presidents in history. In addition, he was the first Black and lay president of the school and the second African American to ever serve as president of a Catholic university in the United States.

Rev. Justin Daffron, S.J., interim president of Loyola, said Francis embodies what the school strives for, and both Dr. Francis and his late wife have set examples of compassion and kindness.

“Norman Francis embodies everything we strive for here at Loyola,” Rev. Daffron said. “He and his late wife Blanche have set an example for us all, showing us how to live and love in the way the Gospels have taught us, with compassion, kindness, hope, courage and service to others.”

Rev Daffron also said that Dr. Francis worked tirelessly throughout his lifetime to widen access and opportunities so that everyone could grow to their fullest potential.

“Dr. Francis believes that education is the true path to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Rev Daffron said. “Throughout his lifetime, he has worked to widen access and opportunity so that all people may develop to their fullest potential.”

Loyola New Orleans is the most prominent Jesuit Catholic university in the South, known for its diversity and commitment to justice.

In recognition of the Francis family’s many contributions to Loyola, Xavier, the city, state, country and Catholic Church, Loyola will permanently rename Carrollton Hall, now known as Carrollton Hall, to the Blanche and Norman C. Francis Family Hall starting this fall.

Additionally, the resolution recognizes Dr. Francis for his military service and their faith and commitment to the family during their 60 years of marriage.

Dr. Francis served as president of the Xavier University of Louisiana, the nation’s only historically black and Catholic university, for almost five decades; a pioneering Civil Rights leader, he fought for desegregation throughout the Deep South. 

He enrolled in Loyola’s School of Law in 1952 and became the first Black graduate of Loyola University when he graduated three years later, in 1955. Following law school, he served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Attorney’s Office, then served as dean of men at his college alma mater, Xavier University of Louisiana, where he became deeply involved in the Civil Rights movement. 

Dr. Francis has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame, among other honors. 

As an adviser to eight U.S. presidents on education and civil rights issues, he received more than 40 honorary degrees, including an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola University in 1982.

At the Vatican, he served on the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of America, the Board of Directors of the National Council for Interracial Justice and 54 other boards and commissions.

Several of his awards are from Loyola, including Integritas Vitae in 1986 and Adjutor Hominum in 1991; also, Dr. Francis was a Loyola’s Law Visiting Committee and Board of Regents member. 

The Black Law Students Association at Loyola awarded him the A.P. Tureaud Achievement Award in 2012. In 2015, Dr. Francis received the university’s St. Ives Award, the highest honor of the Loyola Law Alumni Association. 

Loyola University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1982.

In honor of Dr. Francis, one of New Orleans’ most prominent streets has been renamed in his honor. His portrait hangs in the Smithsonian Institution.

Last week, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans gave him the 2022 American Spirit Award.