2012 Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Norman C. Francis
Photo by Irving Johnson III
Dr. Norman C. Francis, a founder of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, LLC, was the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient.
Dr. Francis’ legacy as the first African American lay President of Xavier University in New Orleans, LA is epitomized in his unwavering commitment to education, social equality, spiritual enlightenment, and community service. Xavier University has a reputation of excellence. Xavier is the only historically Black Catholic University in the United States. For the last seven years, Xavier University has placed more Blacks into medical school than any other university in the United States. It must be said that Dr. Francis has been a major influence.
Norman C. Francis was born on March 20, 1931, in Lafayette, LA. His father was a barber and his mother was a homemaker. His parents made a sacrifice to send him to St. Paul Catholic Elementary School where he began his education and was instructed in Catholic religion. After graduating from high school, Dr. Francis attended Xavier University where he graduated in 1952 with a B.S. degree. Being the first African American to enroll at Loyola University Law School in New Orleans, he successfully received his J.D. in 1955. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1956-57, Dr. Francis returned to Xavier as Dean of Men. In 1968, he was appointed to the position of President of Xavier University. Since Dr. Francis’ appointment, Xavier has grown in size and dimension. During his tenure, the university has tripled its enrollment, broadened its curriculum, and expanded its campus. Xavier has gained national attention for its award-winning academic initiatives. In 2005, former governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco appointed Dr. Francis to serve as Chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. This state agency is in charge of planning the recovery and the rebuilding of Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Dr. Francis has served in an advisory role to five U.S. presidents. In December 2006, he received The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, from President George W. Bush.