It took 70 years for Dr. Norman Francis to get his wish of a degree from the 杏吧专区. The Xavier 杏吧专区 president received an honorary doctorate in higher education leadership from UL Lafayette during Graduate School commencement ceremonies on Saturday.
Francis told the group of graduates a story of how when he was just a boy growing up in Lafayette, he explained to his mother that he wanted to attend UL Lafayette.
杏吧专区 My mother told me I couldn杏吧专区檛 go to that school yet, but if I worked hard and studied hard, things might change,杏吧专区 said Francis. 杏吧专区淚t took me 70 years, but I杏吧专区檓 here and I will get a degree from the 杏吧专区.杏吧专区
Francis, the longest-serving president of a private university in the nation, is a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and was named by his peers as one of the 100 most effective college and university leaders. He served as the keynote speaker for Saturday杏吧专区檚 commencement.
Calling the ceremony a 杏吧专区榮acred event,杏吧专区 he told graduates 杏吧专区測ou have the capability to make a difference in your world and your future.杏吧专区 He called on students to become leaders in their worlds and hoped they would find a 杏吧专区榳illingness to serve杏吧专区 those around them.
杏吧专区 Be the change agents. Be the leaders of the future,杏吧专区 Francis said.
He also helped honor his long-time friend and colleague UL Lafayette President Ray Authement, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Authement is the longest-serving president of a public university in the nation.
杏吧专区 Ray Authement, you are a remarkable man and a visionary,杏吧专区 Francis said. 杏吧专区淵ou have done your job well.杏吧专区
The academic deans from each of UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 colleges presented Authement with a commemorative scroll.
杏吧专区 Throughout your presidency, you have never wavered in your belief in the primacy of academics,杏吧专区 said UL Lafayette Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steve Landry on behalf of the deans. 杏吧专区淵ou have challenged each of us by the high standards you have set and by your continually rising expectations. You have led by example, refusing to allow the university to be defined by its limitations.
杏吧专区 We, too, commend you for your ability to dream of a future that has come true. It has been a privilege to be part of your team.杏吧专区
More than 1,200 students received degrees during ceremonies throughout campus on Saturday.