New York, July 19, 2005- Three of the country's most prominent President's of the nation's colleges and universities, including Dr. Norman E. Francis Xavier University of New Orleans, The Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary, Fisk University, and H. Patrick Swygert, Howard University, will be honored at "A Tribute to Legends" on Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 7:30 p.m., during the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Gala Awards Dinner held this year in Washington, D.C.

The Awards Dinner and Tribute, being held in the Convention Center Ballroom, is the highlight event of a complete schedule of notable keynotes, presentations, panel discussions and entertainment, taking place during National Urban League's Annual Conference, beginning Wednesday, July 27 through Sunday, July 31. The theme of this year's conference is Celebrating 95 Years of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives and is expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees and over 300 major corporations, community organizations, and schools to the Nation's Capitol.

"It's a great honor to recognize these leaders of three of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities because they embody the very best in excellence and achievement in education," said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban League. "Our organization has always fought for higher education for all and we believe that the work of these University leaders has opened doors for countless graduates and professionals."

This year's honorees include:

• Dr. Norman E. Francis (Xavier University of New Orleans), who is the longest-sitting university president in the U.S. As president of the nation's only historically Black, Catholic university since 1968, Francis has guided Xavier's growth both in size and dimension. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Xavier continues to rank first nationally in the number of African American students earning undergraduate degrees in the biology and the life sciences, chemistry, physics and pharmacy.
• The Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary (Fisk University) became President of Fisk in July 2004. Prior to Fisk she had a distinguished career in government and the private sector where she was President of the international energy-consulting firm O'Leary & Associates, Inc., and from 2001-2002 she served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Blaylock & Partners, L.P., a top ranked African American investment-banking firm in New York. During the first administration of President Bill Clinton, 1993-1997, President O'Leary served as U.S. Secretary of Energy, leading the Cabinet-level Department of Energy's 120,000 Federal and contract employees.
• H. Patrick Swygert (Howard University) became president of the University on August 1, 1995 and has a distinguished career in leading institutions of higher learning. As an alumnus of Howard University he earned his undergraduate degree and law degree, cum laude, in 1965 and 1968, respectively. Mr. Swygert was president of the University at Albany, State University of New York a public research university from 1990 until accepting the presidency of Howard. Prior to assuming the presidency at Albany, Mr. Swygert had been associated with Temple University in Philadelphia where in 1987 he was named executive vice president.

Registration for the conference is now open and available via website and all information about the conference can be viewed at www.nul.org. The Greater Washington Urban League, under the leadership of President and CEO Maudine R. Cooper and Jerry A. Moore III, Chairman Board of Directors, and is the host affiliate. Washington Mutual is the 2005 conference chair.

Conference activities include free entrance to the Exhibit Hall's five new Empowerment Zones, in Health, Employment, Technology, Homeownership and Fun (Education & Learning), featuring over 400 booths, Fortune 500 businesses, leading national, state and government agencies and nonprofits, among others. It will also include an entertainment stage where talented local artists will perform throughout the day. The Employment Zone's career fair will allow prospective job seekers to have face-to-face discussions and interviews with recruiters from 100-plus top corporations, nonprofits and government agencies.

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