Xavier University News March 2013 Blanchard Named Xavier University of Louisiana's First Provost New Orleans LA - The Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Dr. Loren Blanchard to serve as the University's first Provost effective July 1, 2013. Blanchard, who will continue to serve as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, will now also act as University President Norman C. Francis' chief advisor, providing leadership in establishing priorities and in collaborating with all organizational units to advance the mission and the continuing success of the institution. In the Provost's role, Blanchard will become the ranking Vice President who coordinates the work of the other University Vice Presidents. In the new dual role, Blanchard will not only hold primary responsibility for implementing academic policy and coordinating academic programs and activities but will now assume a more active role with Dr. Francis in expanding the economic, social and cultural impacts of Xavier by strengthening partnerships within the local, state, national and global arenas. Michael Rue, President of Xavier's Board of Trustees, stated that "with the increasing pressures facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Xavier, I can think of no better time for Dr. Blanchard to step into this critical administrative role to work strategically with Dr. Francis to ensure the University's continuing growth and competitiveness." Over the past five years, Blanchard has been Xavier's chief academic officer after previously serving in similar posts at the University of Louisiana System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans for nearly seven years, total. "As an alumnus, it is clear to me that the success of faculty, students and Xavier as a whole runs vibrantly through Blanchard's bloodstream", said Dr. Norman Francis, who has served as President of Xavier University for almost 45 years. "He works hard to ensure that Xavier stands at the forefront of excellence in all aspects of our work. We are glad and fortunate to have Blanchard now serve in this inaugural role of Provost at his alma mater." Blanchard holds a B.S. from Xavier in Speech Pathology; a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana; and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. His professional expertise centers on assessment and accreditation planning. Blanchard was largely instrumental in co-creating an electronic-based assessment system used by nearly every teacher education program in Louisiana for accreditation purposes. This system was later sold and is now commercially marketed. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.