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

Franciscan University of Steubenville held its commencement ceremony on May 10, celebrating its largest graduating class in history. The Class of 2025 included 907 students, surpassing last year's total of 899 graduates. Students hailed from across the United States and 22 other countries, with popular majors including theology, business, psychology, and nursing.

The celebration commenced with a Baccalaureate Mass on May 9, presided over by Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. He received an honorary doctorate for his contributions to catechetics and evangelization. In his homily, Bishop Cozzens urged graduates to live lives rooted in faith and centered around the Eucharist. “Let yourself be overwhelmed by Jesus in his love for you, so you can surrender everything to him,” he stated.

During the commencement ceremony, Mary Rice Hasson and her husband Kevin “Seamus” Hasson were awarded honorary doctorates for their work promoting religious liberty. Mary Hasson delivered the commencement address, urging graduates to confront cultural challenges with courage and faith.

“You are talented, faith-filled, gifted young women and men,” she said. She spoke about a cultural shift regarding gender identity and called for a "counter-revolution" to uphold traditional values.

University President Father Dave Pivonka encouraged graduates to bring their Franciscan education into the world boldly. “Take it to a world that desperately needs it," he said.

The ceremonies featured various university officials and faculty members participating in traditional roles such as invocation and benediction.

Photos from the event are available online.