On this day, Nov. 11, 1915, Xavier University of Louisiana opened its doors in New Orleans, beginning its mission to educate Native American and Black students. Founded by St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, this coeducational liberal arts college remains the only historically Black Roman Catholic institution in the United States.
Recognizing the lack of Catholic higher education opportunities for Black students in the South, Drexel used her inheritance to establish Xavier as a school that would fill this critical gap. Originally a small high school known as Xavier Prep and later Xavier Preparatory A. Normal School, the institution provided training within the limited career paths available to Black students at the time.
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