in an advisory role to eight U.S. presidential administrations—not only on education issues, but civil rights as well—in addition to serving on 54 boards and commissions. In 1983, Francis helped compile and release the report A Nation at Risk during his service on the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The report was a landmark piece that summarized racism and classism with the school system and called for comprehensive education reform. (16) He co-chaired the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina, playing a vital role in helping the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (17) In 2006, then-President George W. Bush presented him with the Nation’s highest civil award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his, deep intellect, compassion and character. . (18) In 2009, he was named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News Media Group and the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) at Harvard Kennedy’s School of Government. (19) He has received 40 honorary degrees from other universities, and at least 20 major awards in recognition of his leadership in higher education as well as his unselfish service to New Orleans and to the Nation. (20) Francis’ civic endeavors include service as Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, past Chair of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, past Chair of the Southern Education Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Liberty Bank and Trust and a member of the Times-Picayune Advisory Board. Previously he has been Chairman of the New Orleans Aviation Board, the Metropolitan Area Committee Education Fund and the Board of Directors of PBS-affiliate WLAE–TV. (21) Dr. Francis has been involved at the national level as past Chairman of the Boards of the Educational Testing Service, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the College Board, the Southern Education Foundation and the American Association of Higher Education. He was also member president of the UNCF, a