Xavier-Pfizer Renewal Partnership to Boost Xavier’s Recovery

New Orleans, LA. – Xavier University of Louisiana and the Pfizer Corporation today announced the formation of the Xavier-Pfizer Renewal Partnership. The partnership is being inaugurated with a $500,000 commitment by Pfizer to the University, including:

• $300,000 cash to help defray costs for revitalization of Xavier's chemistry and pharmacology buildings, scholarships for Xavier students and faculty retention initiatives;
• More than $200,000 in donated computers and laboratory equipment;
• A commitment to hire up to three Xavier students for paid summer internships with Pfizer over the next three years;
• Learning opportunities (externships) for Xavier students to work with Pfizer during the school year for school credit; and
• Summer research opportunities for Xavier faculty at Pfizer’s Research and Development facility in Groton, Connecticut.

“Xavier University is indeed honored to participate in the Xavier – Pfizer Renewal Partnership Initiative, which is providing much needed assistance during our period of recovery and reconstruction,” said Dr. Norman C. Francis, president of Xavier. “While our students and faculty will be the immediate beneficiaries of this great support, Xavier’s role in educating future pharmacists ensures that this gift will be shared by a nation that is increasingly dependent on the pharmacy industry to continue improving the quality of life that we all cherish,” he added. “We are grateful to Pfizer Corporation, the world’s largest research based pharmaceutical company, for having the initiative to establish such a wide-ranging and visionary program.”

Dr. Toni Hoover, Pfizer’s Senior Vice President for Global Research and Development said the Xavier-Pfizer Renewal Partnership was formed because Xavier and Pfizer have similar missions. “Pfizer and Xavier University share the vision for Xavier’s restoration to its full capabilities.” Dr. Hoover added, “Both Pfizer and Xavier University know and understand that Xavier’s graduates make valuable contributions to the improvement of health care not only in Louisiana, but also nationwide and worldwide.

“Corporate support for Xavier’s continued recovery efforts is absolutely critical to our success,” said Dr. Wayne Harris, dean of the College of Pharmacy at Xavier.
“We are extremely grateful for Pfizer’s generosity and we look forward to building on the partnership with Pfizer in order to meet the national need to increase the number of minority health professionals and to conduct meaningful biomedical
research in strategic areas such as minority health disparities.”

Leslie Mays, Pfizer’s Vice President for Global Diversity and Inclusion stated that the Xavier-Pfizer Renewal Partnership, “Builds on and enhances the existing, longstanding relationship between Xavier University and Pfizer.” Ms. Mays stated that, “Diversity is a core value of both Xavier University and Pfizer because it works not only for Pfizer and its world wide customers, but also for Xavier University whose very founding and existence is based on the compelling idea that diversity and inclusion are vitally important components in the success of the societies and economies of the nation and the world.”

Xavier University of Louisiana is a private, co-educational institution offering a comprehensive liberal arts program and professional programs, including 41 undergraduate majors, seven masters degree programs and a doctor of pharmacy program. Xavier is the only historically Black, Catholic university in the United States and draws students from all fifty states, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands and 35 countries.

Pfizer Inc is a pharmaceutical company committed to helping people improve their health by discovering and developing medicines.

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Photo:

Pictured from left to right:
Dr. Wayne Harris, dean, Xavier University College of Pharmacy; Leslie Mays, vice president, Pfizer Global Diversity and Inclusion; Dr. Norman Francis, president, Xavier University; and Dr. Toni Hoover, senior vice president, Pfizer Global Research and Development.

Photo credit: Derrick Kenny, Washington NewsWorks

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