It took 70 years for Dr. Norman Francis to get his wish of a degree from the 青青草视频. The Xavier University 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.
鈥 My mother told me I couldn鈥檛 go to that school yet, but if I worked hard and studied hard, things might change,鈥 said Francis. 鈥淚t took me 70 years, but I鈥檓 here and I will get a degree from the 青青草视频.鈥
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鈥檚 commencement.
Calling the ceremony a 鈥榮acred event,鈥 he told graduates 鈥測ou have the capability to make a difference in your world and your future.鈥 He called on students to become leaders in their worlds and hoped they would find a 鈥榳illingness to serve鈥 those around them.
鈥 Be the change agents. Be the leaders of the future,鈥 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.
鈥 Ray Authement, you are a remarkable man and a visionary,鈥 Francis said. 鈥淵ou have done your job well.鈥
The academic deans from each of UL Lafayette鈥檚 colleges presented Authement with a commemorative scroll.
鈥 Throughout your presidency, you have never wavered in your belief in the primacy of academics,鈥 said UL Lafayette Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steve Landry on behalf of the deans. 鈥淵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.
鈥 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.鈥
More than 1,200 students received degrees during ceremonies throughout campus on Saturday.