2019-2020 yearbook

College of Pharmacy 2019 Graduates
Ayyad, Ahlam
Bates, Jordan
Campos, Heather
Gooden, Marissa
Schexnayder, Chelsea
Smith, Jairus
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Zaki, Amir
P-4 photos not submitted by vendor in original 2019 yearbook printing.


Spring Mardi Gras Career Fair
The Mardi Gras Career Fair hosts recruiters and industry experts at the Superdome to engage with students from Xavier University, Tulane University, Dillard University, Loyola University, and University of New Orleans.
New Orleans metro area university students were invited to the "Mardi Gras Career Expo" which brought together national, regional and local employers for a concentrated career event.
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Speaker Laura Oliver
Topic: Nappy Hair Stories
NAPPY hair stories: The Importance of Sharing Identity Narratives, a two-part event focused on the politicization of Black female natural hair in America led by LSU Ph.D. student Laura Oliver. Hosted by: Beta Delta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
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Photos by Telia Blakeman


Provost Speaker Series:
Artists Titus Kaphar and Mario Moore
The event, “The Voice of Art: A Conversation with Titus Kaphar and Mario Moore” was facilitated by
Professor Sarah Clunis, Art History.
Titus Kaphar works with history—history writ large, as well as his own story, familial and personal—
to offer a stirring portrait of the here and now. As a result, his body of work is diverse, in both form and substance. In all his work, Kaphar speaks to the most vital discussions happening around race, diversity, and reconciliation in the U.S.
Mario Moore is one of the most dynamic, young standard-bearers depicting the legacy of the Black male. With a painting practice based in figurative realism he teases out complex and psychological transitions
between himself in the positions of artist, subject, and viewer through contemporary interpretations of Black male identity.
Dr. Sarah Clunis, Titus Kaphar, CCH Pounder, Mario Moore, Dr. Ja'Wanda S. Grant.
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Photos by Telia Blakeman


Spring Spiritual Retreat
Students are encouraged and nurtured toward personal faith life and commitment to Christian values and Catholic social teachings • Sponsored by Campus Ministry staff
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Photos by Telia Blakeman


Wellness Awareness Day
Wellness Awareness which offered free screenings, health, and wellness information. The Wellness Programs encourage the Xavier Community to be the best they can
be in every aspect of their lives: academically, emotionally, intellectually, mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.
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Earth Day 2019
Sustainability Career panel dicussion
Tree Planting
Water Bottle filling stations (Music building)
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SpringFest
XU Spring Bling Kickoff • XU Market & Field Night Fashion Show • Dorm Step Off & Block Party • Concert
Top photo by Amanda English
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Photos by Telia Blakeman


SpringFest Dorm Step Off & Block Party
Photos by Telia Blakeman
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Career paths in the STEM fields
Dr. Erica Douglas, aka “Sister Scientist”, gets in the Xavier spirit with President Reynold Verret and students after delivering a powerful message on campus about career paths in the STEM fields.
A Champion for Women in STEM
Sister Scientist has traveled the world searching for untapped scientific research and natural ingredients to be used on kinky/curly hair textures and works closely with a number of scientific experts as an advocate for expanding research efforts in multicultural hair and skin. She uses Sister Scientist as a fun and creative platform for consumers who are looking for a trusted source for scientific/technical information about their beauty and grooming products. She also uses this medium to encourage young ladies to pursue careers in science/engineering by breaking stereotypes to show them that being “a nerd” can be pretty cool.
2019 Southern USA Final
“Chinese Bridge” competition
Music Senior Kayla Lewis (with her Chinese instructor), who won the "Second Place" award and an all- expenses covered trip to China at the 2019 Southern USA Final “Chinese Bridge” (language and talent) competition hosted by Xavier Sunday April 28.
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After School Tutoring
Community services sponsored by MAX-Mobilization At Xavier Students volunteer to help grade school students with their homework clinic
Mobilization At Xavier (M.A.X.) Girl Scouts, Troop 40103. The volunteers shape and influence young girls in the troop to be go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders.
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Life at Xavier Study...Eat...Sleep...Repeat
Xavier is the leading producer of African-American undergraduates who complete medical school and ranks first nationally in the number of African-American students earning undergraduate degrees in biology and life sciences, chemistry, physics and pharmacy.
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Photos by Amanda English


Give Love Xavier Day - April 2
Contributions to the academic success of our next generation of global leaders and change makers can only happen when you support this one-day, online fundraising event which is dedicated to the annual fund and will help us to continue educating deserving students.
Raising Cane's donated 15% to XU when you mentioned Xavier at the register!—South Carrollton Ave. location.
Zea Rotisserie & Bar donated 10% of your bill to Xavier.
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Swearing in ceremony of Xavier's new Chief of Police
Lt. Changamire "Shanni" Durall as the next Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety and Chief of Police at Xavier University of Louisiana
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Black History Month Convocation
The theme this year was Called to Do Justice. Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Terri Love was the keynote speaker for the annual Black History Month Convocation. The event was also the occasion for honoring freshmen and P1s who earned 4.0 grade point averages during the fall 2018 semester. In addition, XU welcomed UNCF special guest, Nettie Washington Douglass, the great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington. Also in attendance were YMTF professionals.
The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program named Sydney Green, a senior education major the inaugural recipient of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship.
Green received the $10,000 award because of her high academic achievement, commitment to community service and strong leadership skills.
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Artist, Ylli Harun, 2018
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial
Following page - Frederick Douglass wrote "Liberty" in his notebook on September 13, 1847, in Cleveland, Ohio. Since mid-August he and William Lloyd Garrison, on a Western tour for the aboloionist movement, had been travelling through Ohio, where their receptions ranged from hospitable to outright enthusiasm. Douglass' spirits had been raised condsiderably after their having been shouted down from the platform a few weeks earlier in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As a result of the receptions in Ohio, he was moved to poetry on least one other occasion in Ohio after he had written "Liberty."
This edited text is based on the "Liberty" holograph in the Heartmen Collection of the library at Xavier University of Louisiana. Transcribed by Thomas Bonner, Jr., professor emeritus at Xavier University of Louisiana. Xavier's current archivist, Irwin Lachoff.


Thomas Peterson
To honor Thomas Peterson as the first African-American voter after the passage of the 15th Amendment, the citizens of has hometown, Perth Amboy raised $70 (over $1,000 in today's dollar value) to award him with a gold medallion. The full medallion consists of a gold bar from which a two-inch diameter medallion was hung. The hanging medallion featured a profile bust of a clean-shaven Abraham Lincoln. It was presented to Thomas Mundy Peterson on Memorial Day, which was then called Decoration Day, May 30, 1884. He is said to have loved the medal and never considered himself properly dressed without it. Later in life financial instability forced Peterson to sometimes pawn the medallion.
It is currently housed at Xavier University of Louisiana: the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament purchased the metal from a collector in 1948. This historical information was a part of Judge Terri Love's Black History speech.
sPeterson metal from Xavier University of Louisiana Archives, Irwin Lachoff, archivist.
Thomas Peterson with his Abraham Lincoln metal
The poem "Liberty" by Frederick Douglass in his own hand. Housed in Xavier University's Library Archives Liberty
"He love's (loves) to see his ire (eyrie) seat Some Rock on ocean's lonely shore
Whose old bare top, the tempist (tempest) beat And round whose base the billows roar,
Or mount through tempest shrouded air
All thick and dark, with wild wind swelling
Or brave the lightenings lured (lightning's lurid) glare, And talk with thunders in their
dwelling."
Freddrick Douglass,
Cleveland (Ohio) 18th Sept
1842
Abraham Lincoln metal


Youth Motivation Task Force (YMTF)
Classroom and Panel Discussions
YMTF brings alumni and other top professionals to campus to share real stories of personal growth and struggle, allowing students to hear first-hand what it takes to “make it.”
215


Saint Joseph's Feast Day March 19
Saint Joseph's Day is celebrated on March 19. Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus Christ is honored for the relief he provided during a famine in Sicily. The altars tradition began in the Middle Ages in Sicily. In the late 1800’s when the immigrants settled in New Orleans they brought their altars tradition.
St. Joseph altars, representing the Holy Trinity, are divided into three sections with a statue of St. Joseph at the head. Candles, figurines, flowers, medals and other items are placed around the altar. Because the altars thank St. Joseph for relieving hunger, offerings of food are added.
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Xavier University's St. Joseph's Day Altar Funds collected are used for the student emergency fund
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Saint Katharine Drexel Feast Day March 3
St. Katharine Drexel Prayer
Ever Loving God, you called St. Katharine Drexel to teach the
message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Black and Native American peoples.
By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and oppressed. Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of Your Church, that we may be one in You.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
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Student Organizations
219


Athletics
Men's Basketball
220


Women's Basketball
221
Womens Basketball Team


Men & Women's Cross Country
Jordan Ashmore
Kadeem Burton
Francis Patterson
Langston Scott
Camren Sewell
Oji Wells
Williams, Darrick
Yhann Plummer Head Coach
Men & Women's Teams
Mariah Cox
Taylor Price
Toni Trail
222
Cross Country Teams


Men's Tennis
Shaikh Abdullah
Ghassan Alansi
Samir Chikhaoui Santiago Perez Alan Green Director/Head Coach
Kevin Chaouat Asistant Coach
No photo: Catlin Fifea Assistant Coach
Women's Tennis
Lacee Ancar
Julia Anglin
Farah Baklouti
Mariia Borodii
Angela Charles-Alfred
Angelica De Vincez
Yi Chen Pao
Women's Tennis Semi-Finals 2019
Men's Tennis Runner-ups 2019
Robert Ryland attended Xavier on a tennis scholarship in 1941, and won eight singles matches before heading to the Army in the 1940s. In 1959, Robert Ryland became the first black man in the country to play professional tennis. He quit playing competitively at 85. And now, at 99, Mr. Ryland is the oldest tennis player in New York City.
223


Tennis
The men's and women's tennis teams of Xavier University of Louisiana remained unbeaten at home this season after defeating SCAD Atlanta. The Gold Rush won 6-3, and the Gold Nuggets won 9-0.
The XULA men (9-4) and women (11-3) are both 4-0 at their campus facility.
Women's Tennis Team
Angela Charles-Alfred
Farah Baklouti
224
Charlene Goreau
L-R: Ghassan Alansi and coach Alan Green.


Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams defeated Lewis-Clark State by 7-0 scores. The XULA men (11-4), ranked seventh in the NAIA, extended their win streak to five. The third-ranked Gold Nuggets (13-4) won for the 11th time in their last 12 dual matches.
Ghassan Alansi
Lacee Ancar
225
Men's Tennis Team


Ghassan Alansi
Edward Angel
Jordan Ashmore
Shane Buchanan
Kadeem Burton
Keairez Coleman
Langston Scott
Camren Sewell
Evan Simmons
Oji Wells
Men's Track & Field
Khalil Gallien
Elijah Johnson-Henderson
Tyler Lewis
Brandon Mathews
Francis Patterson
Donavon Rolland
226


Maya Alexander
Alexis Burke
Mariah Cox
Ariel Ford
Kennedy Martin
Taylor Price
Asja Thompson
Toni Trail
Bria Ward
Alexis Williams
Calah Williams
Shalysa Wray
Women's Track & Field
Justyce Riggs
Raven Riley
Ry-Anne Riley
Tamia Scott
Hillary Smith
Alysia Terry
Hannah Young
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GCAC Track Championships: 3-peat for Nuggets; Rush 2nd again
Xavier won its third straight women's team title and fifth in six years in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field
Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium.
The Gold Nuggets scored 268 points to break the GCAC women's meet record for the second consecutive year. Senior Maliya Vaughan accounted for 37 1/2 points and was named the meet's most valuable women's track performer.
The Gold Rush's 198 points are the most ever by a GCAC men's runner-up. Freshman Shane Buchanan won four individual distance races — the 3,000-meter steeplechase, 1,500 and 5,000 Thursday — and scored 42 1/2 points to earn most valuable men's track performer. Edward Waters scored 268 points to win its fifth consecutive men's team title.
Yhann Plummer, hired in August to lead both XULA teams, was chosen women's Coach of the Year.
Gold Nuggets 23rd in best-ever finish at nationals
228


Women's Volleyball
Barnett, Zora
Black, Kayla
Causevic, Ema
Dowd, Jaida
Le Guillou, Eva
McGee, Taylor
Mitchell, SiSi
Price-Spraggins, Vivica
Phillips, Tiffany
Rikondja, Adili
Scales, Melody
Smith, Maya
Torres, Jennifer
Pat Kendrick Head Coach
Ryan Bowerman Assistant Coach
Franziska Pirkl Assistant Coach
229
Nuggets earn 1st-ever trip to NAIA's next round in Iowa
Volleyball Team


Jason Horn unanimously chosen to serve a two-year term as president of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference by the league's executive committee.
Photo taken Feb. 17, 2018. L-R: Jason Horn, Herb Douglas — a XULA alum and the oldest living African American Olympic medalist — and XULA President Dr. Reynold Verret.
Jermaine Bridges Recreational and Club Sports Director
Golden Girls Pom Squad & Gold Star Dancers
230
Cheerleaders


African Student Union
Alpha Epsilon Delta - AED
231
L-R: Scotti Lindon, Vice President; Tausif Siddiqui, Historian; Tristan Tran, Treasurer; Kennedy Righteous, Secretary; Alexis Edmonds, President. Not shown: Clarsey Hawkins, Community Service Chair.


Caribbean Student Association
L-R- front row 1: Ayodele Theard-Lewis; Zajae Lee, treasurer; Akilah Jarett. Row 2: Ceiarra Washington, Kaitlyn Chang, Sonjay Henry, Kaitlyn Taylor, Fabie Pierre. Row 3: Desihan Burrel, president; Jazmine Campbel, vice president; Shane Buchanan; Stephanie Willockr, Lashawnda Sherman, secretary.
New Voices - English Department
232


Pharmacy
Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International - CPFL
P-1 Officers
233
L-R: Dr. Chayla Staton-Robinson, P1 - Class Advisor; Leroy Harris, Mr. P1; Brittney Dzidza, Ms. P1; Maliah Mayweather, P1 - Vice-President; André Lee Nguyen, P1 - President; Huynh Michael Tran, P1 - Treasurer; Victoria Fernandez, P1 - Secretary.


Psychology Club Executive Board
234
NAACP- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Townhall


Resident Assistants
Living Learning Center
Top row-LR: T’Mia Morrissette, Sariah Harris, Carmen Tate. Middle row-LR: Imanee Ryan, Teresa Beamon, Layja Grant. Bottom row-LR: Mariah Williams, Nayah Hill, Jasmine Cross.
Saint Katharine Drexel
Top row-LR: Treshaundra Roberson, Imani Montgomery, Joyou’s Ingram, Kimberlyn Knight, Alison Dupre.
Bottom row-LR: Najah Dixon, Alexa Green, Jorden Marzette.
Saint Martin DePorres
Top row-LR: Jordyn Rudder, Tayler Scott, Taylor McClam, Trinity Robinson. Bottom row-LR: Marnique Davis, Mariah Williams, Ayana Elizey.
Saint Michael Hall
Top row-LR: Rowan Ragan, Bikhari Reyes Bottom row-LR: Isiah Simpson, Reginald Robinson
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UNO/SUNO
LR: Najee Booker, Ghassan Alansi
RA Group Photo


Sigma Alpha Pi: National Society of Leadership and Success
Student Government Association: Sophomore Class 2022 Executive Board
X-ncubator - Business Department
236


Xavier - Debate
Xavierite Yearbook Staff
237
Telia Workman Blake Junior Psychology Volunteer photographer
Portia Blanch Freshman Criminal Justice Work study photographer
Kaleigh Bridges Junior Psychology Science Work study
Amiya Brown Sophomore Psychology Work study fall 2019
Jaylan Brown Sophomore Chemistry Pre-Med Volunteer
Kadeem Burton Sophomore Chemistry Pre-Med Work study
Amber Dukes Sophomore Chemistry Pre-Med Volunteer
Zaviyah Hudson Sophomore Chemistry Pre-Med Volunteer Managing Editor
Jazmynne Massey Sophomore Chemistry Pre-Med Volunteer Photographer


Greeks
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Epsilon Tau Chapter
238
AKA - Neophytes


Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. - Xi Sigma Chapter
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - Neophytes
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Neophytes
239


Board Administrators Faculty & Staff


Board of Trustees
Dr. Jennifer Adams
Ms. Alexandra Allen
Mr. Justin Augustine, III Board Chair
Ms. Christina Francis XU 1989
Mr. Gladstone Jones, III Board Vice Chair
Mr. Alden J. McDonald, Jr.
Dr. Gilda A. Barabino XU 1978
Mr. Brandon Garrett
Sister Donna Breslin, S.B.S.
Sister Amelia Breton, S.B.S. Board Secretary
Mr. Mark D. Goodman Board Second Vice Chair
Mr. Meredith Marshall
Sister Theresa Chato, S.B.S. XU 1971
Dr. John H. Jackson, IV XU 1994
Mr. James Mitchell
Dr. Richard Gilder, III
Dr. Derek Robinson XU 1998
Mr. James R. Swanson
Mr. Joseph West
Ms. Mary K. Zervigon
Mr. Randall McHenry XU 1986 (ex-officio)
The Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle XU 1971
Ms. Sonia Perez Board Immediate Past Chair
Ms. Claudia Marmolejo
Ms. Paula T. Saizan XU 1969
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Administrators
C. Reynold Verret, Ph.D. Anne McCall, Ph.D. President,Board Member (ex-officio) Provost & Sr. VP Academic Affairs
Gene D’Amour, Ph.D. Special Assistant to President
Curtis Wright VP, Student Affairs
Linda Blakley, Pharm.D. Associate Dean Student Affairs COP
Randall Schexnayer Asst. Dean for Professionalism COP
Marion Bracy VP, Facility Planning
Camellia Moses Okpodu, Ph.D. Dean, CAS-XULA/State of Louisiana Endowed Chair in Science
Marguerite Giguette, Ph.D. Associate Provost & Chief Institutional Research Officer
Keyana Scales
VP, Enrollment Manager
Kathleen Kennedy, Pharm.D. Dean, COP
Marcus Cox, Ph.D.
Assoc. Dean CAS
Graduate Programs/Director CCSDE
Fr. Etido Jerome University Chaplain
Edward Phillips VP, Fiscal Services
Kim Vaz-Deville, Ph.D. Assoc. Dean CAS
Gerald Villavasso Assist. Dean, CAS
Patrice Bell Mercadel
Vice President of Administration/ Chief of Staff
242
Avis Stuard Registrar


Faculty & Staff
Kaneisha Bailey Akinpelumi Assoc. VP/Research-Spons. Programs
Handy, Ryann CCSDE
Lewis, Dannette Student Affairs-CSLS
Styles, Wanda Postal Clerk
Beltran, Yiraliz Graduate Office & CCSDE
Bowers, Brian Technology Administration
Hernandez, Diana Director, University Media (November 2019)
Nichols, Karen, Ph.D. Graduate Office & CCSDE
Bowman, Latoya Technology Administration
Dow, Ashley Career Services
Harrison, Osannah University Police
Hodge, Karen Credit Union
Horne, Jenestaer Technology Administration
Murdock, Ronald Technology Administration
Schnyder, Terisita Campus Ministry
Worthy, Monique Career Services
Shoemaker, Tyrone Career Advisor Office of Career Services
Webster, Quo Vadis Pre Med Advisor
Williams, Robert Postal Supervisor
Richard Tucker, Manager of Publications & Communications and SID for 18 years, retires after 40 years of service.
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Faculty & Staff continued
Admissions Counselors
Adebanjo, Toluwanimi Cooper, Bryan
Patton, Khylirs Reaves, Jordan Building Services
Gonzalez, Priscilla
Jones, Khiry
Garrett, Atia
Starks, Tamika
Graduate Resident Hall Directors
244
University Library Staff


Registrar's Office
245
2019 President Verret's Faculty & Staff Holiday Luncheon & Toy Collection


Honors
Norman C. Francis, President Emeritus of Xavier University of Louisiana, received the University of Notre Dame’s 2019 Laetare Medal
Photos from various sources
This is the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics from Notre Dame. “For more than 50 years, Dr. Francis has been at the center of civil rights advocacy by leveraging the power of Catholic higher education,” said Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. “In bestowing the Laetare Medal upon him, Notre Dame recognizes his leadership in the fight for social justice through
246 educational empowerment.”