Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black, Catholic institution of higher education in the US, was founded in 1915 in New Orleans by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a community dedicated to serving African Americans and Native Americans. In 1970, control of the University was transferred to a joint lay/religious Board of Trustees. Xavier continues its commitment to educate well-rounded graduates positioned to become leaders serving communities across the country and around the world. Xavier has 215 Faculty members and over 4100 students. A number of faculty at Xavier lead, or are involved in cancer research programs as part of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.