Norman Francis, the longest-serving university president in American history who led Xavier University of Louisiana for 47 years, died Feb. 18 at age 94. His death was confirmed by university officials, though a cause was not disclosed.
Francis began his career in law, graduating as one of the first Black students from the segregated Loyola University law school in New Orleans. He accepted the presidency of Xavier University of Louisiana on April 4, 1968, the same day as the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was the first Black and first lay person to hold the office.
In 1972, Francis co-founded Liberty Bank and Trust Company to provide financial services to underserved Black communities. He grew the school's enrollment and endowment while establishing the institution as a top producer of African-American medical school undergraduates. He also provided counsel on education and civil rights issues to eight U.S. presidents.
After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, Francis chaired the Louisiana Recovery Authority to lead state rebuilding efforts. He retired from the university presidency in 2015. His leadership transformed Xavier into a national leader in science and health education for minority students.