Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89 President | Franciscan University website

August 21, 2024

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center on August 21.

The new facility is the first academic hall built at Franciscan University in over 20 years and is now the largest building on campus, spanning more than 110,000 square feet. The addition addresses consistent annual enrollment increases, recent additions of academic programs, and the need for a dedicated conference space. Christ the Teacher Hall comprises two wings: an academic wing for engineering, business, and nursing students and a conference center wing for spiritual and educational conferences.

“Christ the Teacher Hall serves as a reminder that Jesus Christ is at the center of all we do at Franciscan University. It is a concrete sign of God’s faithfulness as we continue to form joyful disciples and to educate students who are fully prepared to live and work in every field and vocation,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “I am grateful to our many faithful alumni and friends for joining us in this mission through their generosity and prayers.”

“As this wonderful University grows its enrollment, its programs, its quality, and its positive impact in the world, this building is a next logical step, providing a host of much-needed new ‘pieces’ as we build our University’s ‘mosaic’ of greatness in Catholic education,” said Paul Michael “Mickey” Pohl, chairman of the Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign that funds the construction.

“The constant growth of the on-campus student population made it necessary for Franciscan to expand academic spaces for student instruction while, at the same time, add space for medium-scale campus events to take pressure off Finnegan Fieldhouse. Those two needs were fused together to make this one new facility,” said Benjamin Wetmore, vice president of MCF Architecture.

The ground floor features guest space and offices for Admissions and Enrollment Services. It also houses eight specialized labs for engineering students. The first floor includes new business classrooms for accounting, business administration, economics departments; Sacred Heart Chapel; Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center; and The Well café with indoor/outdoor seating options. The second floor offers state-of-the-art simulation labs for nursing students.

“This beautiful expansive new building is a physical representation of the core conviction that animates our whole University life: that our intellectual and academic life is not only not harmed by its integration into the life of faith but it is also purified ennobled truer to its own self,” said Dr. Stephen Hildebrand vice president for Academic Affairs at Franciscan University.

Christ the Teacher Hall stands as part of Franciscan University's ongoing Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign.

Father Pivonka expressed gratitude towards faculty staff alumni donors "who stepped up to fulfill this need" before making an announcement: "Our Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign which started out with a $75 million goal quickly moved to $110 million goal And as now I’m happy announce we have surpassed our $110 million goal!"

Vice President Bob Hickey noted that generous contributions have funded campaign enhancements including nursing leadership criminal justice programs financial aid scholarships evangelistic outreaches PhD Theology Program He added final fundraising push ends December 10 inviting further gifts close out financial needs Christ King Chapel renovations Washington D.C initiative

Hickey expressed gratitude saying “We are so grateful everyone enabled us provide Christ Teacher Academic Hall Pope St Paul VI Conference Center—and much more—for our students excited watch these beautiful facilities fulfill purpose educational mission”

Franciscan University students will attend their first classes in Christ Teacher Hall on August 26 start 2024–25 academic year Photos events available here