NEW ORLEANS — Eight years ago, Xavier University took a heavy blow from Hurricane Katrina and its floodwaters. But while the public University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans have struggled to rebound, this private, Catholic institution has made a dramatic turnaround, increasing its enrollment and expanding its campus since the storm.
Founded in 1825 by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the small liberal arts college has built a reputation as the place to go for Blacks seeking medical careers. Katrina drowned the campus in floodwaters up to 8 feet deep and administrators estimated losses at more than $90 million in storm damage, lost tuition and scholarship revenue.
Since then, the university’s footprint has changed tremendously.
There’s a new pharmacy building that bears the name of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar, which helped build it with a $12.5 million donation. There’s also the new $10 million, 450-seat chapel designed by world-renowned Argentinian architect Cesar Pelli.
A storm-ravaged dormitory that was scheduled to be demolished is now a $7 million haven for health and academic services, and a new $25 million Convocation Center replaced the 76-year-old, storm-damaged gym known as The Barn.
University President Norman Francis, at the helm for the past 45 years, beams when he discusses the academic and physical recovery at his school.
“What we’ve done at Xavier is enhance our capacity for teaching and learning, and we’ve enhanced the experiences for young people so they can go as far as they can go,” said Francis.
