Xavier and Dillard hit by storm
New Orleans-based Xavier and Dillard University students, faculty and campuses suffered mightily at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. Recently, United Negro College Fund President and CEO Michael L. Lomax pledged the organization’s support in helping displaced students continue their education and assist the schools’ re-building process.
“Our prayers are with all those whose homes and families were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina,” Lomax said.
“Two UNCF member schools in New Orleans, Xavier and Dillard Universities, were hit hard by the hurricane. These colleges need help, and they need it now. We have established a special emergency scholarship fund to help these hurricane-ravaged schools and hope the public will support us in helping these students continue their dream of achieving a college education.”
UNCF has created the UNCF Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to provide emergency scholarship support to re-enroll students temporarily at other UNCF colleges and to assist Dillard and Xavier University as they support students already enrolled whose families have lost their homes and jobs because of the hurricane.
The organization is asking for financial help from the public. Anyone interested in contributing to the cause can visit www.uncf.org or call the UNCF St. Louis Area Office at (314) 241-5958 or (800) 332-UNCF.
Lomax and his staff are working hand-in-hand with the leadership of both schools to find education solutions for every affected student. Both universities are UNCF members and are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
UNCF-member school Tougaloo College, based in Tougaloo, Miss., was also affected by the hurricane. The presidents of each institution have pledged their full support to the stricken campuses and the students and faculty they serve.
UNCF’s primary concern is for the safety and well being of all Xavier and Dillard’s students, faculty and staff. To date, all on-campus students and university staff members have been evacuated from both campuses.
Currently, Lomax and UNCF staff are coordinating with school officials to ensure all Xavier and Dillard students are able to continue their education, and have committed to help cover the unmet financial need, which may exist after a student relocates to another UNCF-member school. Additionally, scholarship support will be available to currently enrolled students who attend other UNCF schools and have suffered losses from the hurricane.
Due to the turmoil surrounding the New Orleans recovery efforts, UNCF is asking all Xavier and Dillard students, faculty and staff to visit the www.uncf.org for information about their university. If individuals do not have internet access, they should call the information hotline at (800) 527-5222.
Xavier University is a four-year, private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Catholic Church founded in 1915 by Saint Katherine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Xavier is well known for sending some 100 African-American students to medical school each year, more than any other university in the country.
“As president of Xavier University for nearly 40 years, I’ve seen many miracles,” Xavier President Norman Francis said. “Now, perhaps more than ever, we are in need of another miracle. UNCF is a great friend to our university, and now we will work together to overcome this great tragedy.”
Dillard University is a private college in New Orleans. Founded in 1869 and historically African-American, Dillard is ranked no. 14 in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report’s “Southern Comprehensive Colleges” category. Dillard is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.
“Our university, its students and faculty have a proud history, and we have no intention of backing down in the face of adversity,” Marvalene Hughes, president of Dillard University, said. “We are proud to be a UNCF member university and appreciate the help they are providing us in these trying times.”
As the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund’s mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other HCBUs are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African-American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers nearly 450 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.
