Franciscan University Celebrates Historic $125 Million Campaign

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO-On Friday, December 13, Franciscan University of Steubenville celebrated the conclusion of its Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign, which raised $125 million for enhancements to academic programs, student scholarships, outreach programs, and new and renovated buildings. The most successful fundraising effort in the University's history, the campaign total reached more than four times as much as the previous campaign.

Franciscan University leadership attributes this success to alumni and donors' generosity and excitement about the University's record-breaking growth and work to diversify and extend its outreach.

"I am so grateful and inspired by the amazing generosity of our alumni and friends," said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89, president of Franciscan University. "While this campaign's numbers are impressive, they are not just numbers to us. Behind every donation, no matter how humble, is a brother or sister in Christ, a faithful friend who truly believes in the Lord's transformative work here and in what he wants to do in the future. They see why our mission to form disciples to rebuild our Church and our world has never been more urgent. We couldn't continue to grow without their prayers and support."

Rebuild My Church Campaign funds support a wide range of initiatives. Chief among them is the recent construction of its largest academic building, Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Event Center, which opened in fall 2024. Complete with a new event space and state-of-the-art nursing, engineering, and business classrooms and labs, the 110,000-square-foot building enhances Franciscan's educational offerings, answering needs arising from consistent annual enrollment increases, additional academic programs, and more campus events.

The campaign also includes the renovation and much-needed expansion of Franciscan's beloved Christ the King Chapel, which will be completed in August 2025.

To ensure a Franciscan education remains affordable, donors have also given almost $40 million toward scholarships and financial aid.

In addition, the campaign has funded new academic opportunities, such as the Criminal Justice Program, the Leadership Institute and Entrepreneurship Program, and a new PhD in Theology Program.

Finally, it has funded exciting new outreaches, such as the Ward and Kathy Fitzgerald Franciscan University Homeland Mission in Washington, D.C., a permanent presence bringing Franciscan's charisms to the heart of the nation's capital and inspiring students to consider careers in public service. Other outreach initiatives receiving funding include the nationally recognized Steubenville Conferences and FaithandReason.com, a new online platform sharing Franciscan's unique spiritual formation resources with the world.

Launched in December 2021, the campaign set an original goal of $75 million to coincide with the University's 75th anniversary. Following an outpouring of generosity and enthusiasm from alumni and benefactors, that goal was soon eclipsed and a new goal of $110 million was announced last year. With $125 million raised to date, the Rebuild My Church Campaign has exceeded its initial goal by $50 million.

Of the $125 million raised, Bob Hickey, vice president of Advancement, said the University received more than $28 million in gifts from nearly 1,000 alumni.

"We experienced some beautiful stories over the last three years in visits with alumni and friends," said Hickey. "We made new friends and experienced generous support from long-time friends. Donors welcomed us like family into their homes. We shared stories, laughed, cried together, and received more prayers and support than we ever thought possible. We just couldn't be more deeply grateful to each of them."

Hickey recalled one visit he and Father Pivonka made to a couple who had never given to Franciscan before.

"Father Dave and I asked the couple for a gift to help support the construction of Christ the Teacher Hall," Hickey said. "The husband had tears in his eyes. When we asked him why, he told us, 'I am so honored that you would think enough of us to ask us for this gift. What's ours is yours!'"

The Rebuild My Church Campaign takes its name from Jesus' words to St. Francis of Assisi while he was praying in the ruins of San Damiano Church, "Francis, go and rebuild my Church, which, as you see, is falling down." It was launched to fund the University's Rebuild My Church strategic plan, whose three main goals were to form builders for Christ, to build up Catholic communities, and to rebuild within the culture. At the heart of this effort is the University's ongoing mission to form new generations of faithful Catholics, who know, love, and live their faith and evangelize every corner of the world.

Even as the University celebrates the campaign's success, it continues to accept donations for Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Event Center and Christ the King Chapel, which are not yet fully funded. For more information, please visit giving.franciscan.edu/rebuild-my-church.

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