Today, the Xavier community mourns the loss of Cesar Pelli, the architect and creative genius behind some of the world’s most recognizable buildings, including Xavier’s own St. Katharine Drexel chapel. He won hundreds of architecture awards, including the 1995 gold medal of the American Institute of Architects, its highest honor. The chapel also earned him an award for liturgical architecture.

The Xavier community will forever be indebted to Cesar and the Pelli Clarke Pelli Architect firm for designing and bringing to life Xavier's first permanent, stand-alone house of worship.  Because of its striking architecture and visibility from the city high rise, the St. Katharine Drexel Chapel is considered one of New Orleans' most breathtaking landmarks.  

- President Reynold Verret

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/20/arts/cesar-pelli-dead.html