Norman Francis presides over his last commencement at Xavier University | Photos | The New Orleans Advocate New Orleans, Louisiana Francis jokes with former NBA basketball champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is now part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports franchises and a string of movie theaters, in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Kennedy, Dean of Xaiver’s College of Pharmacy.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Dancing to the music of the ROCC Band, Troynika Conrad celebrates her graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree after Xavier University of Louisiana’s 88th annual commencement with Xavier student Ashley Mitchell outside Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Dancing to the music of the ROCC Band, Troynika Conrad, left, celebrates her graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree after Xavier University of Louisiana’s 88th annual commencement with Xavier student Ashley Mitchell outside Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Michael Moore Jr., left, makes bunny ears as Keria McCowan makes a selfie before Xavier University of Louisiana’s 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Former NBA basketball champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is now part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports franchises and a string of movie theaters, speaks to students in Xavier’s Convocation Center during the 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Attorney General from Feb 2009-April 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Master of Arts graduate Octavia Fay Brown-Davis Former waves her hand in the air during a religious musical interlude in Xavier’s Convocation Center during the 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Bachelor of Arts graduate Devon Pruitt waves to his family in Xavier’s Convocation Center during the 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Family members try to get the attention of students as the take pictures in Xavier’s Convocation Center during the 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Bachelor of Arts graduate Devon Pruitt, right, takes a picture with a friend during Xavier University’s 88th annual commencement in New Orleans, La. Saturday, May 9, 2015.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Presiding over his final graduation ceremony, Xavier University President Dr. Francis jokes with Vartan Gregorian, the head of the philanthropic Carnegie Corporation of New York, in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Francis is the longest serving president of a university in the nation having held the position in the nation’s only Catholic and historically black university for 47 years and having served the school in other positions for 60 years.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Blake Clark shakes hands with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder during Xavier University’s 88th annual commencement in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Senator Mary Landrieu, andVartan Gregorian, the head of the philanthropic Carnegie Corporation of New York.Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Students cheer after the last student receives a degree at Xavier University’s 88th annual commencement in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks during Xavier University’s 88th annual commencement in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Senator Mary Landrieu, left, Vartan Gregorian, the head of the philanthropic Carnegie Corporation of New York, and former NBA champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson, during Xavier’s 88th commencement in Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans, La. Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON–Presiding over his final graduation ceremony, Xavier University President Dr.