In Memoriam: Grace Mary Flickinger, 1935-2024

Grace Mary Flickinger, professor emerita of biology at Xavier University of Louisiana, passed away on June 11. She was 88 years old.

Dr. Flickinger joined the biology faculty at Xavier University in 1968, and served as a professor for nearly five decades until her retirement in 2016. She was well known for her research on the study of palm prints and fingerprints for clues to genetic defects and other health problems. She was granted the title of professor emerita in June 2017.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Flickinger was dedicated to supporting Xavier’s athletics programs, having served as the university’s faculty athletics representative for 36 years. She served two terms as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. For her many contributions to supporting student athletes, she was inducted to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1998 and was an inaugural member of the Xaiver University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

Flickinger was a New Jersey native and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, New Jersey, in 1952. She served with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Philadelphia.