STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville held the official Planking Ceremony today for its new United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Programs (AUP) Detachment. This ceremony is a formal recognition of the establishment of a stand-alone AUP, whose curriculum is designed to provide a pathway for students who seek to commission into the U.S. Coast Guard.

With the formation of the AUP Unit, Franciscan University becomes one of only 23 universities in the nation, including UNC Chapel Hill, William and Mary, and Texas A & M, to be officially recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to Dr. Charles Nemeth, director of Franciscan University’s Criminal Justice Program and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary AUP liaison, the graduates of Franciscan’s AUP program enhance the potential for acceptance into the highly selective U.S. Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School.

“The Coast Guard AUP is an amazing opportunity for students to serve others in times of need, disaster, and emergency,” said Nemeth. “It also provides an endless array of certification options for highly needed skill sets such as cyber-security, incident command, telecommunications, and leadership at many levels.”

Nemeth, who hosted the Planking Ceremony, highlighted how this new Coast Guard Auxiliary program will work closely with the local community as well.

“The Franciscan AUP Unit has taken on the task of cleaning up the Steubenville Marina, and by next spring commencing a major repainting of the Marina Wall,” he said.

Other guests at the ceremony included Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University; Dr. Christin Jungers, dean of the School of Professional Programs at Franciscan University; Flotilla Commander Francisco Molina, Flotilla Two Pittsburgh; Commander Eric Velez, Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Pittsburgh; Commander Justin Jolley, Executive Officer, MSU Pittsburgh; Lieutenant Sean Dolan, Prevention Department Head, MSU Pittsburgh; Lieutenant Junior Grade Eyobe D. Mills, MSU Pittsburgh, Unit Officer of the AUP Detachment; and Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessica Guerra, Officer Programs, Coast Guard Recruiting Command.

Participating in the Planking Ceremony were 14 Franciscan University students in full uniform who make up the University’s first U.S. Coast Guard AUP Unit. They include Brigette Covey, Patrick Uhlenkott (Deputy Unit Leader), Kolbe Russo, Joshua Gilbert, Stephen Moynihan, Joshua Ginter, Joseph Candelas, Genevieve Bede, Claudia Chen, Isaac Martin, Eleanor Toner (Unit Leader), Will Hennigan, Katelyn Henry, and Isaac Schaefer.