Xavier University of Louisiana is making history by hosting its first-ever mathematics research conference during its centennial year. The Bayou Arithmetic Research Days (BARD 5) will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the university's growing prominence in STEM fields and solidifying Xavier's position as a STEM leader.

As part of its yearlong 100th-anniversary fête, Xavier University of Louisiana will host its Centennial Gala on May 8 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, presented by Ochsner Health. This event will be elegant and joyous and pay homage to a century of excellence and community impact. It will honor the historic legacy and ongoing contributions of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and President Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis. Renowned actor and comedian Bill Bellamy will host, R&B/soul legend Jeffrey Osborne will perform, and journalist Bryant Gumbel will bring greetings.

For 100 years, Xavier University of Louisiana has empowered its students to create a more just and humane society through their careers. One of the ways it has accomplished this is through research and development that has had an impact, particularly on the communities that it serves. Xavier University of Louisiana now proudly joins the ranks of distinguished institutions across the country by being awarded a Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) designation in the newly restructured Carnegie classifications. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the university's growing research capacity and recognizes Xavier as an emerging leader in higher education research.