Following in Her Footsteps: Xavier Edwards Continues His Mother’s William Penn Legacy

08/12/2025

When Xavier Edwards, an incoming freshman at William Penn University, made the decision to attend his mother’s alma mater, it wasn’t just about basketball — it was a practical choice that also offered him the chance to deepen his connection to his mother’s history at the university. His mother, Meghan Slay, a local and proud 2003 WPU alumna, is thrilled to see her son start his own chapter at the school that shaped her into who she is today.

“I was glad he’ll still be close enough to visit and that I’ll be able to go to some of his basketball games,” Meghan shared. Her own time at Penn is filled with memories, from the friendships she formed to the unique campus moments that made the experience special. “Mrs. A referring to herself as ‘the old lady,’ making students tie their shoes, and sending them back to their dorms to get dressed” still brings a smile to her face.

Over the years, she’s seen the university transform. “The PAC, MTC, and new dorms have all been added,” she said, noting how the campus has grown while the core values have stayed the same. One of those values — and a piece of advice she passes on to Xavier — is simple but powerful: “Embrace change and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

For Xavier, the decision to attend Penn came naturally. “The William Penn basketball head coach actually reached out to me about playing for them and knowing I would have most of the tuition paid for as well as the alumni discounts made Penn the easy choice for me.” While his mom’s history at the school didn’t fully sway him, it definitely didn’t hurt. He adds, “It might be nice to have people who know me because of my mom.”

Coming in as a freshman means a fresh start — something Xavier welcomes, even though he was a well-known figure in high school, crowned prom king. “It will be fun making new friends and having new connections with new people. Especially since most of these people will be going to college because they care about their educations unlike a lot of my friends from highschool.”

His enthusiasm for learning has grown over time. “I’m just excited to be able to do something again and learn. I used to be a big hater for school and learning stuff but as I’ve gotten older I’ve found myself wanting to learn more about just about anything. Well besides biology, I am not too interested in that subject,” he said with a grin. Walking the same campus his mom once did, he can’t help but picture her in those days. “I might chuckle at the thought of her having to trek up and down the stairs every day in the big building.”

On the court, Xavier’s ambitions are clear. “My goal for basketball for this year and for every year is to win at state. I’ll do what it takes to get to where I need to be so that my team can succeed.” In the classroom, his approach is about lasting impact. “I’m not concerned with my grades because I know I can maintain good grades, I just wanna retain the knowledge I’m taught so I can use it in my life.”

Meghan sees that same drive in her son that fueled her own success. “He loves basketball and is looking forward to learning and improving under Coach Henry and the rest of the staff.” For her, the hope goes beyond wins and grades: she wants Xavier to “gain a greater understanding of himself and others.” She knows William Penn’s student diversity plays a big role in that growth — giving students the opportunity to learn from different perspectives, challenge their own assumptions, and build relationships with people from all walks of life. It’s this environment, she believes, that helps shape students into well-rounded, humble, and knowledgeable individuals who are prepared not only for their careers but for life beyond the classroom.

That kind of personal growth is something Xavier takes to heart, guided by one piece of advice from his mom: “If you caused a problem then it’s up to you to fix it.” It’s a mindset that shapes how he hopes to be remembered. “It’ll be nice if I can do better than my parents,” he said with a smile. “I’m hoping that I can leave a nice look at peoples faces on campus when I finally graduate, as in if someone mentions me then people around will have fun stories to tell or smile thinking of who I was at the school. That would be nice to have as a reminder that I was there.”

As he looks ahead, Xavier’s vision is as determined as it is hopeful. “I hope I can look back and see that my goals and accomplishments were achieved and more. Maybe even make new ones along the way.”