Centennial countdown continues
February 23, 2024
By Zamariah Strozier, Staff Writer
off-campus like never before. Construction on the new parking garage has begun across the street in Lot E, located next to
the Living Learning Center residence hall.
(Photo by The Xavier Herald Staff)
The Centennial Campaign enters its second year since it launched on Nov. 2, 2022, as a key administrative initiative to mark Xavier’s 100th anniversary. Key elements of the centennial plan include fundraising, campus-wide reconstruction – with a focus on student residences, and the overall well-being, both mentally and physically, of the Xavier community.
“A comprehensive campaign like ours is very multifaceted. It’s about telling our story, making sure our story is known,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, Xavier’s president.
Given current trends in higher education and the needs of students today, Verret said the leadership team is securing resources to advance research and innovation across campus.
Xavier has secured major institutional grants and scholarships this academic year from the Mellon Foundation, the McMillan-Stewart Foundation, and a newly announced initiative with the National Science Foundation.
“Well, that process has been a process of discernment with both internal and external stakeholders that was part of our strategic plan where we actually did an environmental scan to see exactly what our strengths are, our weaknesses are, and what are things that we need to improve,” Verret said.
To connect with alumni, parents, and future Xavierites, the campaign has been using its website and social media platforms to keep stakeholders updated on how Xavier is planning for another century.
(Photo by The Xavier Herald Staff)
“The education I received at Xavier was top tier. The exposure to history and culture, art and literature really changed the trajectory of my life and career,” said Danielle L. Littlefield, a Xavier 2004 graduate, and a creative writing assistant professor at Jackson State University.
A key focus of the campaign is improving the quality of life for students on campus. From full renovations of existing residence halls to refurbished classrooms and offices in the Administration and Administration Annex, as well as Xavier South, the campaign hopes to have Xavier’s surroundings match its quality of education.
“I want to feel hopeful as an alumni. Attending Xavier was a pivotal experience for me. However, like many young Black college students, that experience was not without some of the challenges addressed in this campaign. If truly implemented, this kind of investment in students’ well-being could do substantial good,” Littlefield said.
In addition to physical quality, student support is also an important area where Xavier will direct its resources. Annice McFarland is a Xavier legacy student from Indiana and senior Chemistry pre-pharmacy major. Her mother, Ladrienne Cage-Nash graduated from Xavier in 1994 with a major in psychology and a minor in music. Her mother’s time at Xavier influenced her decision to attend and she hopes that for future Xavierites these resources and programs will continue to expand and thrive.
“When I was in Organic Chemistry 2, I wasn’t doing well at first, so I went to the Chemistry Resource Center in the NCF on the 3rd floor,” Annice said. “They were really kind instructors and showed that they really cared a lot about students. Because of Xavier’s academic resource centers, I became a better student,” Annice added.
For those looking for more information about the Centennial Campaign, go to https://www.xula.edu/about/centennial.html.
For updates on campus construction projects, visit https://www.xula.edu/facility/xula-construction.html.
