Xavier University of Louisiana professors Dr. Kathleen Morgan and Dr. Michael Adams were named faculty award recipients at Xavier’s 2022 commencement ceremony.

Dr. Kathleen Morgan received the 2022 Norman C. Francis Faculty Excellence Award in Service. Dr. Morgan joined the Xavier family in 2001 and is a Professor in the Chemistry Department. Dr. Morgan is also a PI and the Student Training Core Director for Project Pathways, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity grant at Xavier (XULA BUILD). She teaches Organic Chemistry I and II, Advanced Organic Chemistry, and the Molecular Structure and Organic Synthesis capstone laboratory class. Dr. Morgan received funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health for her research in Physical Organic Chemistry. She ensures students gain beneficial experience as they navigate their academic careers, involving four dozen Xavier undergraduates and twelve recent graduates as full-time technicians in her research.

“My choice to move to Xavier has impacted me in ways I never imagined,” said Dr. Morgan. Once at Xavier, I saw how deeply faculty, staff and students care about the university’s mission, with a tradition of service to others as an integral part of the Xavier way of life. I quickly saw that I had much to give that was valued by others, and I have found this very rewarding.”

Dr. Michael Adams received the 2022 Norman C. Francis Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching. Dr. Adams joined Xavier in 1998 and has taught at the collegiate level for over 30 years.

Dr. Adams teaches General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, as well as Environmental Justice in New Orleans and Beyond and College Experience, two core curriculum courses for first-year students. Dr. Adams is active in the American Chemical Society (ACS), with a specific focus on education, and serves on the Society Committee on Education and the Undergraduate Student Advisory Board. Since 2005, he has served as Director of Xavier’s Chemistry-PrePharmacy program and in 2013, he created and has since overseen the Pharma Prep I and II summer programs, which provide students with academic preparation prior to their first and second years in the Chemistry-PrePharmacy program. Dr. Adams was also part of the working group that developed Xavier’s current core curriculum, helping to strengthen the academics necessary for student development.

“My favorite time of the day is when I get to be in the classroom with students. I appreciate that students come to Xavier willing to be challenged and work hard, and I enjoy being part of the team helping them to reach their goals,” said Dr. Adams.

Xavier’s success would not have been possible without the outstanding contributions of Xavier’s faculty. Their dedication to education and student development is shown through their innumerable and constant efforts to provide guidance and mentorship to Xavier’s students.