Xavier University of Louisiana - Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005, striking the New Orleans area with devastating, long-lasting damage. Xavier, being a landlocked property located in the lower-lying Gert Town section and adjacent to the Washington-Palmetto Canal, suffered wind or water damage up to six feet to almost every structure on campus. Many buildings sat partially submerged for weeks following the deluge brought on by canal breaches during the hurricane. President of the university, Dr. Norman C. Francis, organized boats and buses to caravan stranded faculty, staff and students from the campus to safe areas. He then organized the immediate rehabilitation of damaged structures and committed to returning the campus back to operation by the beginning of the coming spring semester. The administrative staff was set up in temporary offices around the country. Francis and his immediate staff worked from an office in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, Grambling State University donated office space to assist the fiscal affairs administrative staff, the staff of the registrar's office operated out of the University of Dallas in Richardson, Texas, and the student financial aid and the resource development (fund-raising) staff operated from an office in Baton Rouge. As scheduled, students began returning to the university in January 2006.

• University Police vehicle showing water lines
  25 September 2005

• Rescue Operation
  5 September 2005

• Quad
  25 September 2005

• Library
  14 August 2006

• Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion
  15 October 2010

In spite of damaged incurred due to Hurricane Katrina, the university participated in and led community efforts in disaster recovery. Xavier offered housing for over 500 volunteers working with groups assisting in the disaster relief efforts. Public relations students led a campaign which resulted in 1,500 student volunteers working to gut houses, clean streets and replace street signs. Other student-led efforts planted trees, painted schools, delivering food, volunteering with the New Orleans Health Department. Pre-med students at the university worked with local agencies to conduct health screenings and communications students recorded and documented stories of residents. For the combined efforts of the students, Xavier University received the "Katrina Compassion Award" from the United States Corporation for National and Community Service in 2006.

In April 2006, the Middle Eastern country of Qatar donated $17.5 million to assist the university in hurricane recovery and expanding the school's College of Pharmacy. The groundbreaking ceremony in 2008 was attended by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, leader of Qatar and on 15 October 2010, the school's Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion opened, adding an additional 60,000 square feet adjacent to the existing College of Pharmacy building.

President Barack Obama visited New Orleans in August 2010 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. He gave his address from Xavier, complementing the work of the leaders of the community and affirming the commitment to continue to aid in the re-building of the area. In 2006, the university bestowed an Honorary Degree on then-Senator Obama.