NBA legend and business mogul Magic Johnson made a significant contribution to Xavier University of Louisiana, pledging $500,000 during the institution’s Centennial Gala on May 9, 2025. This donation was part of the university’s 100th-anniversary celebration, which successfully raised over $2 million to support student scholarships . Johnson’s generous pledge was made in honor of Dr. Norman C. Francis, Xavier’s President Emeritus, who led the university for 47 years. Dr. Francis, a Xavier alumnus, is renowned for his transformative leadership, during which student enrollment tripled, and the university became a leading institution for Black students entering medical school . In his tribute at the gala, Johnson stated, “The mark of a great man is who shows up. Because the man that you are, all the great things that you’ve done in your stellar career. And all the people that you helped. You became successful through your great leadership at Xavier… In your honor, I’m going to give Xavier $500,000” . The Centennial Gala was a star-studded event, featuring comedian Bill Bellamy as the host and a performance by R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne. The funds raised during the gala will directly support scholarships, ensuring that more students have access to the education they deserve and the future they dream of . Xavier University of Louisiana, founded in 1925 by Saint Katharine Drexel, is the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic university. The institution has consistently been recognized for its excellence in preparing Black graduates for STEM fields and for its commitment to social justice and community impact .
