Twas’ the night before Graduation 🎓…
August 12th, 2022
My mom and my grandmother dropped me off on campus 20 hours from Ohio. I stayed in Boley as a Freshman. I had to adjust to the weather, the people, the city, the state, and THE CULTURE. It was my first time EVER being in Louisiana and I was extremely homesick and really wanted to move back home but something told me to just keep going and that everything was gonna be ok. Southern University and A&M College gave something that I wouldn’t be able to have back home. I am proud to say I graduated from THE ONE AND ONLY HBCU SYSTEM IN THE WORLD🩵💛
To my friends, thank you so much. Every single one of you showed me that it is still good people out there and helped me learn more about myself to be a better person. Thank you for being there for me through the good times and the bad times. I love you all so much, I wouldn’t have gotten this far without any of you.💗
Your future attorney is signing out.
Geaux Jags🩵💛
JaKayla Tomlinson
BS in Accounting
BS in Business Management, HR concentration
📸: @chrispycaptures
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6
On May 9, 2026, a chapter closed that I will spend the rest of my life honoring.
Attending Xavier University of Louisiana was by far one of the wisest decisions I’ve made thus far. Four years ago, a girl from Indianapolis was sent to New Orleans on an assignment from God far bigger than a degree, an assignment that would become part of her testimony. Somewhere between the long nights, sacrifices, laughter, and memories, she became the woman she once prayed to be.
Thank you New Orleans for becoming home.
Thank you Xavier for demanding the best of me.
And above all else, THANK YOU GOD for the grace to see it through.
Sydney Gené Murray
B.S. in Public Health Sciences | Chemistry Minor
Magna Cum Laude
Honors in Public Health
“You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and a light will shine on the road ahead of you.” Job 22:28
To my peer dean babies, my kiddos🥹 everything your heart desires is yours. There is a light inside each & every one of you, never let anyone dim it♥️. I appreciate all of you for trusting me as your mentor and always being the first one you call. I love yall🫂.
To the biggest, the Pre-Alumni Council, there is truly nothing like us. Navigating grief was hard, but having you all made it a whole lot easier🫶🏽. An e-board turned family💯. To Baby Prez and the newly appointed e-board, remember you don’t need recognition to keep putting in the work. Go harder and lead with intention—everything else will follow♥️.
Yours truly,
⭐️Xavier Academic Scholarship Recipient
⭐️Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Recipient
⭐️Deans List Scholar
⭐️Peer Dean Association: 2023-2026
⭐️National Society of Black Women in Medicine Spr 24 Inductee
⭐️UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Intern 2024
⭐️LCMC Hospital Volunteer
⭐️Vanguard Campus Ambassador: 2024-2026
⭐️Pre-Alumni Council Executive Board -Community Service Representative 24–25 -Logistics Coordinator 25-26 -25-26 Executive Board Member of the Year
⭐️SGA Deputy Secretary of Academic Affairs 2025-2026
⭐️2026 Service Key Award Recipient
In just a few days, I’ll be crossing another milestone in my life. Although I officially graduated in December, it feels even more surreal now seeing my friends over the past four years graduating from Xavier, Dillard, and beyond. It fills me with so much joy, gratitude, and empowerment.
First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then my mom, my family, friends, teammates and everyone who supported me throughout this journey whether the experiences were positive or negative, I appreciate every person and every lesson learned along the way.
I’m extremely grateful and blessed to be in the position I’m in today. Being a student athlete came with hardships torn acl/labrum, exams, early mornings, long nights, moments of feeling alone, depressed, and unsure. But through it all I learned how precious every single moment really is.
And with the struggles came unforgettable blessings championships, fellowship, networking opportunities, lifelong relationships, and memories that will stay with me forever.
This chapter taught me resilience, Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, Uplift. My journey was a 3 and a 9 it wasnt perfect but it was definitely worth it.
Gerrod Henderson jr
B.S. Kinesiology In 3.5
2x Conference Champion
1x Cotton Bowl
5x 3.0 Honor Roll
#explorepage✨ #omegapsiphi #football #classof26 #rollwave
Woman•of•Xavier (noun): A woman who attends the illustrious top HBCU in the nation, Xavier. She carries herself with grace, elegance, and dignity.
Synonyms: the most exquisite and extraordinary woman you’ll ever meet💛🤍.
I am elated to announce that on May 9th at 1 pm, I graduated from the prestigious and ONLY Catholic HBCU in the country, Xavier University of Louisiana. To be a woman of Xavier is truly an honor. These 4 years have taught me leadership, intention, and most importantly resilience.
This year was one of the hardest years of my life. On January 27, 2026, I lost my oldest brother. I was ready to give up on everything, despite being in my last semester of undergrad. Losing one of my biggest motivations was a hard pill to swallow, but by God’s grace, with the help of my family, and the family Xavier gave me I kept going. Although he is not here to see his baby sister accomplish what we talked about the most I know he is proud that I persevered❤️🩹.
To all of my friends, I am grateful for each and every one of you. The tears have already started and we’ve only been separated for two days🥹. I love you all so much and don’t know where I’d be without your kindness♥️.
Thank you Xavier, for the long nights, early mornings, challenges, friendships, the culture, and most importantly the knowledge💛🤍. You turned a shy little girl from Alabama to a powerful & resilient young woman. Its Xavier today, Xavier tomorrow, & Xavier FOREVER⚜️.
With love,
Brianna Lee
B.A Biology🧬
Double Concentration in Chemistry & AADS
A Love Letter to Delta 💌
Ever since I was little, I remember watching my cousin cross and seeing my aunts do the work of Delta day in and day out. I was taken to Delta Academy and later GEMS every month, hoping that one day I would become a woman who wore crimson and cream. So I made sure I worked, I prayed, and I had the GPA.
To my great aunt, my aunt, and my cousins, thank you for paving the way. Your strength, grace, and commitment to this sisterhood have shaped me into the Delta I am today. You made this journey so meaningful and so beautiful for me, and I will forever be grateful.
To the Gamma Alpha Chapter, thank you for loving me and accepting me with open arms even when I made mistakes and fell short. You all have supported me through and through.
To F.O.F, calling you my line sisters and being the ace of the line is not something I take lightly. You have held me down at my lowest and celebrated me at my highest. You have shown me what true sisterhood looks like both real and honest. From the moment we crossed, I knew I would never have to carry anything alone again. Two years in, and FOFever to go ❤️
To R.O.U.T.E. 66, the highway, you all are so special and full of so much light and love—not just for each other, but for everyone around you. I may not always say it the best or show it in the softest ways, but please know my love for you all is real and runs deep. I have no doubt in my heart that you will carry on what was started long before any of us.
Delta, thank you for choosing me and trusting me to be a part of something so much greater than myself.
With all of my love,
DSTinct1on
1-ΓA-FA’23
🔺Recording Secretary
🔺Membership Intake Committee
🔺Educational Development Chair
🔺Fundraising Committee
🔺Mental and Physical Health Committee
🔺Mr. Crimson and Cream Pageant Coach
🔺Elections Chair
🔺Emergency Response Chair
through blood, sweat, and tears…
It was a fight until the very end. It is bittersweet feeling to finally close this chapter but I am ready for what is next. Thank you for everyone that supported me, as I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.
Involvement: ⭐️ SGA Department Of Communications ⭐️ Peer Dean Association ⭐️ NCNW Graphic Designer ⭐️ Association of Student-Athletes Student Engagement Co- Chair ⭐️XULA Cali Club President & Social Media Chair ⭐️ Xavier Activities Board Graphic Designer
Finally got that B.S. behind me
Tia Barrett, B.S. Chemistry
#hbcugrad #xulagrad
yayyy, i graduated college!
Without God none of this would’ve been possible. Thank you for keeping me grounded and allowing me to see this day. Blessed is truly an understatement.
Thank you University of New Orleans for being my home away from home. Moving 12+ hours away from home was a huge adjustment but being a privateer made it easy. Most importantly thank you @privateersvb for giving me the opportunity and welcoming me with open arms🫂💙
As I gratefully close this chapter in my life I would like to take the time to announce that I will be attending The Illustrious Xavier University of Louisiana this fall to be part of their Clinical Mental Health Masters program as well as a Graduate Assistant for the Volleyball program. I’m honored and blessed for this opportunity! 💚💛 #HBCUBOUND #XULA
Lastly, Thank you to my family and friends for the continued support, thoughts and prayers🫂
With love ,
Akeir C. Scales
-Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on psychology 👩🏾🎓 (Cum Laude)
-Associate of Science in Psychology 🏁(Highest Honors)
-Juco product ✅
-Student athlete 🏐
-Future Licensed Mental Health Counselor 👩🏾⚕️🧠
To my H in front of my B. My HBXU 💛🤍. You truly were an experience I never knew I needed. I thank God I choose you. You truly made me who I was supposed to be and I couldn’t be more thankful. All of the long nights, weekends in the library, the tears, laughter, and all will forever be worth it. Xavier thank you for the people I met, the lessons you taught me, the hard work and dedication you made me put in. I now leave as a complete individual ready to serve and be successful. My time may be over but I will forever love Xavier and everything it entails.
Officially,
Kyana Malea Wood
Psychological Science B.S
Minor in Philosophy (Honors)
Cum Laude
