STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville today announced the formation of a new Episcopal Advisory Board comprised of five leading bishops across the U.S. The new board will draw upon the bishops’ experience, wisdom, and insights as the University plans for the future and responds to record-breaking enrollment and a growing demand for its evangelization and renewal initiatives.

The bishops who will serve on the inaugural Episcopal Advisory Board include Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, archbishop of San Francisco; Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Most Reverend Joseph L. Coffey, auxiliary bishop of Military Services; Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, bishop of Crookston, Minnesota; and Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, bishop of Columbus, Ohio.

“Along with the whole Franciscan community, I am so grateful for the bishops who serve the Church,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “This is an exciting opportunity for us because it deepens our relationships and fosters greater collaboration with the bishops.”

Father Pivonka added, “As a Catholic university, we are called to serve the Church. Having a group of bishops to meet with and discern the most pressing needs of the Church and how Franciscan University can help address them is a great privilege.”

Members of the board have committed to a five-year term that includes an annual meeting and one visit per term to Franciscan’s campus to address the students, faculty, and staff.

The creation of a new Episcopal Advisory Board will allow for deeper collaboration between Franciscan University and the board members’ dioceses, as well as bishops and dioceses across the country. Informed by the bishops’ insights into the needs of the Church, such collaboration will encompass Franciscan’s students, who often move on to work in dioceses, parishes, and schools as Catholic educators, youth ministers, catechists, and music ministers; Franciscan’s Priestly Discernment Program, which has seen over 250 members ordained to the priesthood since 1985; and the Steubenville Conferences for youth and adults, Catechetical Institute, parish missions, School of Spiritual Direction, and other evangelistic initiatives of the Franciscan Center for Evangelization and Renewal.

In his acceptance letter, Bishop Caggiano wrote, “I consider it a great honor to be asked, given the wonderful evangelical work that the University has been doing for many years. The young people who come from my diocese to attend the University never tire of telling me how happy they are to be part of a thriving Catholic community of young people.”

Bishop Fernandes wrote that he is happy to accept the invitation and looks forward to strengthening his diocese’s relationship with Franciscan: “Many members of the faithful have benefited as students from the quality and faithful, Catholic education offered at Franciscan University, and many of our youth have grown tremendously in their faith through the summer offerings there.”