Xavier University, the historically Black educational institution in New Orleans, has signed an agreement with St. Michael Indian School in St. Michaels, Arizona, to join forces to determine the possibility of creating a Catholic university in Arizona. Both Xavier University and St. Michael Indian School were founded by Saint Katherine Drexel.
The two educational institutions will first conduct a feasibility study to see if the goal can be accomplished. The schools will examine funding needs and explore possible funding sources as well as the overall plausibility of the project. The goal is to bring Catholic higher education to members of the Navajo Nation.
Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University stated that “with a signed memorandum of understanding in place, Xavier University and St. Michael Indian School will join together through faith, fervent prayer and the providential vision of our shared Foundress to undertake this exploration with a prayerful discernment over 100 years in the making.”
