The Xavier Family celebrated the selection of our own president, Norman C. Francis, as one of the recipients of the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
This award is the nation’s highest honor for any civilian to receive. It was presented to Dr. Francis by the President of the United States, George W. Bush, on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at a White House ceremony in Washington D.C.
Upon receiving the award, Dr. Francis said. “These are the sorts of things that happen in one’s lifetime that you never expect,” Francis said. “I accept it for all the people who made this possible, whose shoulders I’m standing on and who helped me be encouraged to work hard and to serve the career that I chose. They all are part of this award. It’s not for me alone.”