From October 29 until November 6, hundreds of Xavierites, past and present, celebrated Xavier University of Louisiana’s homecoming and paid homage to the University’s legacy and future. Kicking off on October 29 with the coronation of the 2022-2023 Royal Court, the festivities concluded on November 6 with the class reunion brunch. Amidst the dozens of events scattered across the campus, Xavier’s alums and students shared their love for the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic institution for higher education.

Because of COVID-19, Homecoming 2022 was the University’s official return to an entirely in-person celebration, and the enjoyment of all Xavierites, no matter their age, was palpable. Alums were warmly welcomed home and were happy to offer wise words to current students.

Particularly notable among the events was the annual President’s Leadership Breakfast on November 3, where the University’s President Reynold Verret also announced Xavier’s initiative to “Press Forward and Fear Nothing” as it approaches its historic centennial and launches a $500 million capital campaign.

Gilead Sciences Inc., a sponsor for this year’s Homecoming celebration, was also present on campus during the festivities as part of their seven-city “HBCU Roadshow” tour to advance Black health and equity, hosting several events across campus.  Gilead sponsored a career day event, offered prizes, food and games during the basketball games on November 5, had a mobile unit truck on campus during events, and much more. Xavier alumna Tiffany West (‘00), Gilead’s Senior Director in Public Affairs and Advancing Health and Black Equity, was instrumental in developing the partnership between Xavier and Gilead.

“Gilead’s partnership with (thee) Xavier University of Louisiana continues to be one of catalytic change. Building on Xavier’s legacy of social justice, addressing Health Equity, and creating lasting change, Gilead is proud that Xavier was the 7^th stop of the Gilead HBCU Roadshow,” said West. “This has been a powerful collaboration of excellence, and advancing health and Black Equity.”

During an event on November 4, West happily expressed her pride in two Xavierites who had recently completed their internships with Gilead. Both interns have been offered permanent placement in the Gilead workforce, and West emphasized how Xavier prepared her for her current role, just as it prepared the two students set to embark on their careers.

“Homecoming was so much fun!” exclaimed Yaa Agyeman-Yeboah, a senior at Xavier and one of the two former Gilead interns West spoke of. “As a member of the Gilead Team AND a current Xavierite, I am so proud and happy to have helped make so many events and good times happen. Go, XU!”

Other sponsors for the event include Capital One, Hill’s Pet, the CDC Foundation - Live to the Beat Initiative, Pernod Ricard, Polk Wealth and the Children’s Dental Group.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a Xavier partner which supports several academic programs at the University, hosted an in-depth panel discussion, “Partners in Equity: Creating Generational Wellness with the Black Community,” to emphasize the importance of addressing health equity in Black communities. The panel featured multiple Xavier alums, including Brandon Batiste, MPH (‘05), Dawn K. Brown, M.D. (‘00), Veronica Gillispie-Bell M.D, MAS (‘00), and Derek J. Robinson, M.D., MBA (‘98). Another Xavier Alumna, Lauren Powell, M.D. (‘06), acted as moderator for the panel and has been instrumental in the continued partnership between Xavier and Takeda. Mr. Brandon Garrett was the only participant who wasn’t a Xavier alum.

“We need to build an institution worthy of trust,” emphasized Dr. Powell during the conversation, referring to the historic under- and mistreatment of people of color in health care.

Student-sponsored events included the “Gospel Explosion,” a tailgate in the Convocation Center Parking Lot during the men’s basketball game on Halloween, a Xavier-student-only concert featuring Zaire, Rob49 and Nardo Wick, and gatherings on the UC Terrace and a boat ride.

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Students and alumni participated in the Celebration on the Yard on November 4 and the Tailgate on November 5, celebrating the pathway to success the University cultivates for its graduates who go on to successfully impact the world beyond the Xavier Community. It was indeed a family reunion, XU style, with a hint of New Orleans culture. The Celebration started with a second line led by the Royal court, who kicked off the festive atmosphere. XULA Pride was strong as classic and modern meshed fully for the first time since 2019.

“Homecoming is one of my favorite times of the year,” said Sierra Blanchard, J.D. (‘17), Assistant Direct for Xavier’s Center for Student Involvement. “To see alums come back to catch up with the friends who became family is always a good time!”

The alumni side of homecoming started with a special prayer service in the gorgeous St. Katharine Drexel Chapel on November 2. A banquet honoring the 18 inductees into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, a Gospel Reunion Concert, and the VIP Homecoming Kick-off closed the evening on November 3.

Friday, November 4, was an incredibly packed day for alumni and student celebrants; the popular alumni golf challenge began early, with the incomparable Celebration on the Yard following in the afternoon, along with the “Golden Celebration” in the University Center for alums who preferred a quieter scene. In honor of 95 years of pharmacy at Xavier, the College of Pharmacy also hosted a “Continuing Education” Seminar and reception to help former classmates reconnect and current students network. Alums also participated in the Class Reunion Reception and Class Pictures. Dozens of alums were happy to cheer on the Gold Nugget Volleyball team as they played a doubleheader against Louisiana Christian University in the Convocation Center in the early evening. A celebration of epic proportions, the Homecoming Banquet honored classes ending in 0s, 5s, 1s, 6s, 2s and 7s. An alumni basketball game was hosted, and the alumni afterparty completed the day’s activities.

Saturday, Xavier’s women’s and men’s basketball teams won their respective games against LeMoyne-Owen Magicians.  During the men’s game halftime, President Verret was presented with two checks from Gilead Sciences- a one-thousand-dollar homecoming sponsorship and a $3 million contribution from the Gilead Foundation to enhance Xavier’s summer STEM programs. Immediately after, the attending inductees of the inaugural Xavier Athletics Hall of Fame Class were invited to take center stage and have their contributions to the history of the University’s athletic program recognized.

  

Actors T.C. Carson (Living Single) and Charnele Brown (A Different World), who both played beloved characters on the hit ‘90s sitcom “A Different World,” enjoyed the games from the President’s suite as the University’s special guests. Following the victory of the Gold Rush, students, alums, faculty and staff poured into the Convocation Center parking lot to participate in the University’s Tailgate. Congressman Troy Carter (‘86) even made an appearance at his alma mater during the Tailgate, giving several proclamations to multiple Xavier alums and students as well as to Carson and Brown.

Alumni and current students on social media have truly stamped Xavier University’s homecoming as the #bestHBCUHomecominginginLouisiana.

“XULA homecoming is like no other!” said Charles Marlin (‘22), a Master of Public Health student at Xavier. “Being able to come back and relive the moments with your friends is the perfect getaway that everyone needs. I can’t wait to continue having these moments and being surrounded by the people I love at the school I love!”