In Brief–Summer 2024

New VP of Enrollment Management

Franciscan University welcomed Tim Reardon as its new vice president of Enrollment Management in April.

Reardon brings almost 20 years of successful leadership in several mission-driven academic institutions, including as vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing at the New England Institute of Technology. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Norwich University, where he also served in several admissions roles including as assistant vice president for Enrollment Management.

Tim Reardon

“I am thrilled to have Tim join us as our new vice president of Enrollment Management,” said Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89. “His many years of proven leadership will not only allow us to sustain several consecutive years of record-setting growth in enrollment but also will help us realize our vision to greatly expand and diversify our online and graduate programs.”

“I am excited to join a mission-focused, student-first institution, where students’ lives are shaped by their experiences at Franciscan and they are prepared to tackle the challenges they face, personally and professionally,” said Reardon. “While many small, private colleges are struggling to maintain their enrollment given the demographic challenges and distrust of higher education, Franciscan has continued to enroll a growing number of students.”

Franciscan University set another enrollment record in fall 2023 with 768 new students, its seventh consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment. Franciscan’s first-year retention rate is also up to 89 percent. Currently, the University is on track to meet its goal for new students this fall.

New MS in Criminal Justice

Beginning fall 2024, Franciscan University of Steubenville will launch an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program. With approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission, the graduate program will build upon Franciscan’s robust undergraduate Criminal Justice Program and continue to answer the urgent, growing need for well-formed justice practitioners.

“Franciscan University fully appreciates the necessary synthesis for a true criminal justice profession that blends occupational skill and best practices with a constant, unapologetic moral and ethical critique of criminal justice operations,” said Dr. Charles P. Nemeth, professor of criminal justice and director of the Center for Criminal Justice, Law, and Ethics at Franciscan University.

The program will provide a foundation in the jurisprudence of natural law and the Judeo-Christian moral tradition. It also allows students to tailor their learning through courses in emerging criminal justice specialties including cybersecurity and cybercrime, community initiatives, forensic science, and investigative protocols. The courses will be taught by experienced faculty who blend theory with reality-based applications.

With the program’s highly flexible online format, students can earn their graduate degree and advance their careers while also maintaining their professional and personal responsibilities. For more information, please visit franciscan.edu/mscrjonline.

GRACE 2024

At Franciscan University’s annual Gallery of Research, Artistry, and Community Engagement (GRACE), almost 30 students presented the fruits of their academic studies from several different disciplines including psychology, theology, biology, chemistry, literature, and the visual arts. The expositions ranged from oral presentations and video to tabletops and works of fine art.

Two of the many notable presentations included psychology major Joseph Prendergast’s research on the relationship between the habituation of virtues and improvements in psychological health, and communication arts major Anastasia Camarca’s artistic interpretation of the Eucharist, which she entered in the National Eucharistic Congress’s art contest.

“At GRACE, participants gather to showcase their scholarly pursuits in a spirit of curiosity, academic excellence, and a desire for professional development,” said Coley Hough, GRACE organizer and project manager for the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. “They not only contribute to the advancement of knowledge but also embody Franciscan’s mission to cultivate academically excellent and joyful disciples who are equipped to make meaningful contributions to the world.”

St. Paul Center’s New Digs

On January 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology officially opened its newly constructed headquarters on a two-acre site on University Boulevard opposite Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Founded in 2002 by Franciscan University theology professor Dr. Scott Hahn, a renowned Scripture scholar, author, speaker, and longtime panelist on EWTN’s Franciscan University Presents, the center’s grand opening included a blessing of the property by Bishop Paul J. Bradley, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville, and remarks by Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla and Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University.

The new 25,000-square-foot building is equipped for state-of-the-art video and audio recording and broadcasting and hosting small- and full-scale events and conferences. It also includes a library, gift shop, and café.

The St. Paul Center is a nonprofit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study from the heart of the Church. The center promotes biblical literacy for clergy, laity, students, and scholars, through a variety of research and study tools, including its Emmaus Road publications and its Emmaus Academy online programs.

Franciscan Square’s New Restaurants

Franciscan Square welcomed two popular new restaurants this year: The Harp and Habit, an Irish pub and restaurant, and Jimmy John’s, the well-known sandwich shop franchise.

The Harp and Habit, located in the former Bennigan’s building, opened last December and has become a dining destination for students and the local community. It features Irish fare, live music, and a mural of Steubenville-native Dean Martin and a Catholic friar. Owner, real estate developer, and local community leader Franco Carapellotti got the idea for the pub during his trips to Ireland. Carapellotti is a long-time friend and supporter of Franciscan University and serves on the Community Relations Board and the Supervisory Board for the Foundation Maria Thron in Gaming, Austria.

The most recent addition is Jimmy John’s, which opened in April. Owned by Franciscan alumnus Dan Vansteenburg ’93 and managed by fellow alumnus Liam Galligan ’21 MBA ’22, the sandwich shop marks an exciting new development for the whole community as University alumni choose to bring their businesses to Franciscan Square. Vansteenburg is also partnering with the University to give students hands-on experience at all levels of the business (see story, page 24).

“Landing a national chain like Jimmy John’s is a big win for the University and the local community,” said Phil Rook ’07, director of Real Estate Development at the University. “I would like to thank Dan for believing in Steubenville. It’s a great sign that we are starting to see new businesses interested in expanding into our market.”

Both restaurants have partnered with the University to allow students to use their meal plan Dining Dollars at the restaurants.

“We plan to bring more restaurants and businesses to Franciscan Square,” added Rook. “We welcome alumni business partners who will provide our students with work opportunities and on-the-job training, and contribute to the revitalization of the Steubenville area.”

The new restaurants promise to profit from the successful opening season of The Rink, which had over 10,000 skaters this past winter. Visitors and students enjoyed open skate nights, family-themed events, and pond hockey leagues.

Plans are in the works to expand The Rink’s offerings when it reopens next November.

For more information on Franciscan Square development opportunities, contact Phil Rook at [email protected].

Excursions in India

The Office of Global Academic Partnership (GAP) at Franciscan University has been making significant strides in its collaborations with Indian colleges. Last semester, students from Franciscan embarked on an exciting journey to Rajagiri College in Kochi, Kerala, where they participated in a specialized engineering program. This two-week program not only immersed engineering majors in academic coursework but also allowed them to explore Indian culture through enriching excursions.

Accompanied by Dr. Derek Doroski, a professor of biology and engineering at Franciscan University, students delved into topics ranging from faith and family to cutting-edge engineering and machine learning. The experience fostered cross-cultural connections and broadened their horizons.

“This program gives students the rare opportunity to see a distinctive Catholic culture they will have few other chances to see,” said Doroski. “We saw Indian education, martial arts, cultural dances, Ayurveda medicine, drank from coconuts, and attended a Catholic Malabar rite Mass. We even saw the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle and what is believed to be the site where he arrived in India.”

In addition, Joseph Pathakamuri, a biology professor at Franciscan University, ventured to Kristu Jayanti College in Bengaluru during his fall sabbatical. He taught a week of classes and delivered presentations on Franciscan University’s faith and culture. Pathakamuri also laid the groundwork for future exchange programs between Franciscan and Kristu Jayanti College, strengthening ties between the institutions.

“It is an incredible opportunity for our students to be exposed to a culturally and educationally rich country like India,” said Pathamakuri.

Other participating professors include Dr. John Pilsner, assistant professor of English and director of the Humanities and Catholic Culture Program; Dr. Regina Boerio, professor of psychology and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Dr. Brian Scarpone, assistant professor of business, who presented as virtual international academic scholars for Kristu Jayanti. Deacon Dr. Stephen Frezza, professor of software engineering and director of the Software Engineering Program, also submitted a research proposal with the faculty at Rajagiri College.

But the collaboration didn’t stop there. In the fall of 2023, GAP and the English Department welcomed Dr. Lyola Thomas, assistant professor of English literature at Kristu Jayanti, who shared her culture and academic research with Franciscan’s students. In the spring, Dr. David Schaefer, a communication arts professor, pioneered a virtual classroom experience for students in India. Through this non-credit initiative, students engaged in cross-cultural dialogue, focusing on Indian cinema and perspectives.

GAP’s overarching goal is to inspire discipleship in the worldwide Church by fostering collaboration across borders. Beyond India, Franciscan University has also partnered with the Catholic University of Erbil in Iraq, further enriching Franciscan’s global academic landscape.

This summer, GAP eagerly anticipates hosting a two-week program for 20 to 25 college students from Mexico. The program will highlight the Ohio Valley and Steubenville Conferences, providing an immersive experience for participants.

Looking ahead to 2025, GAP has ambitious plans. Research fellowships for faculty and student internships are on the horizon, along with study-away programs to India and other countries of student interest.

Alumni passionate about expanding international internship opportunities for their organizations and companies and contributing to GAP’s mission are encouraged to connect with Dr. Tiffany Boury, professor of education and senior international officer, at franciscan.edu/global-academic-partnerships.