New Orleans, La. - Dr. Katrice A. Albert (‘94), Xavier alumna and the vice president for institutional diversity at the University of Kentucky, will be the keynote speaker for Xavier University of Louisiana’s 2023 Founders’ Day Convocation. The ceremony celebrates Xavier’s founding, the class of 2024, and will recognize the accomplishments and milestones of Xavier’s faculty and staff.

Xavier’s annual Founders’ Day convocation celebrates the great works of its foundress, St. Katharine Drexel and her Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The 2023 ceremony will be held on Tuesday, October 3, in the university’s Convocation Center at 12:15 p.m.

St. Katharine believed that all deserved an education as a means of empowerment and self- determination, especially those excluded from opportunities due to the sin of racism. To support her vision of a more just and humane society, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Born into great privilege, St. Katharine used her vast familial wealth to build schools throughout the United States for Black Americans and Native Americans. In the year 2000, she was canonized as a saint.

“Founders’ Day is an important recognition of the sacrifices made by St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to create a university dedicated to teaching those who, at the time, had very little access to higher education. And, the day recognizes the sacrifices and dedication of Xavier’s faculty and staff who instill our mission to promote a more just and humane society in our students,” said Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana. “It is a time to celebrate the commitment our faculty and staff have towards improving this broken world by teaching the next generation of positive change agents. St. Katharine would be proud.”

See the list of faculty and staff honorees here. 

"Founders’ Day Convocation is very important for the university as it allows us to pause and not only reflect on the impact of our foundress, but it also allows us to celebrate the rich history and many contributions of our storied institution," said Curtis Wright, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Dr. Katrice Albert is indeed a living embodiment of St. Katharine’s dream. She has spent over 25 years creating just and humane communities in higher education.”
Dr. Albert has a distinguished career in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. Prior to her current appointment at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Albert served as the Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources at The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Previously, Dr. Albert was the Vice President for Equity and Diversity of the University of Minnesota system. Before that, she was the Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach at Louisiana State University (LSU).

Dr. Albert earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s in counseling psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi and a doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Auburn University. She is nationally recognized for her efforts as an inclusion champion and subject matter expert.
Livestream the event here.