Franciscan University of Steubenville will hold its 74th commencement exercises May 13-14, 2022. More than 760 students are registered to graduate from over 100 programs of study.

Included in this year’s class are the first graduates of the Master of Arts in Catholic Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Events begin Friday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Finnegan Fieldhouse with the baccalaureate Mass. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco will preside and receive an honorary doctorate of Christian ethics.

Installed as archbishop on October 4, 2012, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, he has led the faithful of San Francisco with steadfast determination amidst an increasingly secular culture.

A vigilant defender of the sacredness of human life, he called abortion “the new secular religion of our own time” and advocates for eucharistic reverence to counter the culture of death.

He gained national attention for promoting the holiness and virtues of St. Junípero Serra to counter the woke movement that vandalized the saint’s statue, burned one of his missions, and removed the saint’s statue from the California state capitol.

Archbishop Cordileone serves as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth and other committees.

Commencement exercises take place Saturday, May 14, starting with the Science Commencement at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Arts Commencement at 12:00 p.m.; both to be held in Finnegan Fieldhouse.

Dr. Peter Kreeft, a professor of philosophy at Boston College since 1965, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters and will deliver the commencement address at both the science and arts ceremonies.

Kreeft is perhaps the most widely known Catholic philosopher of this generation. His 80-plus books include The Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Christianity for Modern Pagans, and How to Win the Culture War.

Kreeft converted to Catholicism during his college years when he discovered the centrality of the Eucharist, the real presence, devotion to Mary, and other beliefs held by the early Church Fathers.

His research interests range from philosophy of religion and ethics to C.S. Lewis and philosophy in literature.

Franciscan University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, a graduate of the Class of 1989, will preside at both ceremonies along with members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors.

For those unable to attend, ceremonies will be streamed online at Franciscan.edu/commencement.