The Henkels Family

The Center for Beauty draws its inspiration from St. John Paul II who stated in his Letter to Artists that beauty is “an invitation to savor life and to dream of the future. That is why the beauty of created things can never fully satisfy. It stirs that hidden nostalgia for God” (No. 26).

Acclaimed author Joseph Pearce opned the 5-event series with a talk titled, “The Evangelizing power of Beauty.”

A recital with Dr. Jessica Ewell, associate professor of music, and Professor Eliza Symington, adjunct professor of music, and student soloists.

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

Featuring Stephan Tavani, violin, assistant concertmaster with the Cleveland Orchestra; Stanley Konopka, viola, director of Franciscan University’s chamber orchestra and assistant principal violist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and Audrey Konopka, pianist, Franciscan University philosophy major.

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

The Second Truth of Love Conference sought to approach the topic of sexual difference by examining the virtues proper to father- and motherhood. As excellences that bring out the best in us, these virtues also speak about the fullness of man- and woman and the path of growth that leads us there.

Watch Videos from the Conference

Over 200 participants gathered at Franciscan University of Steubenville to attend Vatican II at 60: The Legacy and the Controversy, an academic conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of the October 11, 1962, opening of the Second Vatican Council.

Conference speakers addressed the major teachings of Vatican II, controversies arising from its misinterpretations or false applications, developments in the role of women in the Church, and liturgical renewal and reform.

Listen to audio from the conference

Preformed by members of The Pittsburgh Symphony: Kelsey Bluementhal, violin; Marta Krenchkovsky, violin; Andrew Wickesburg, viola; and Karissa Shivone, cello.

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

This 2022 conference hosted at Franciscan University of Steubenville explored “Joseph Ratzinger’s Vision of the Church and Its Relevance for Contemporary Challenges”

Theologians from around the world discussed themes including culture, church and state, history, eschatology, synodality, the liturgy, Scripture, ecumenism, evangelization, the role of women, and more.

Watch Videos from the Conference

Franciscan University of Steubenville joined the Hildebrand Project in co-hosting conference in honor of Professor John F. Crosby. Occasioned by Professor Crosby’s retirement after thirty-two years a professor of philosophy at Franciscan University, the conference gathered former students, colleagues, and longtime friends to explore his contributions to philosophy.

The conference opened with festive dinner, which provided the occasion for signing of a formal affiliation agreement between the Hildebrand Project and Franciscan University. Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, President of Franciscan University, as well as many distinguished guest of the University were in attendance. Following his opening remarks and prayer, Fr. Pivonka and John Henry Crosby, Founder and President of the Hildebrand Project, signed the agreement, the culmination of nearly a decade of cooperation and collaboration between the two parties.

Professor Crosby established the MA Philosophy Program at Franciscan and was central in growing Franciscan’s reputation as a center for study of Dietrich von Hildebrand and the tradition of Christian personalism represented by Hildebrand, John Paul II, St. Edith Stein, and others. Professor Crosby is now professor emeritus of philosophy at Franciscan. It was fitting that the Hildebrand Project’s affiliation with Franciscan could be formalized at this dinner as the Project represents an institutional continuation of Professor Crosby’s legacy at Franciscan.

The Hildebrand Project is immensely grateful to the Henkels Fund, which generously sponsored the opening dinner. Both Franciscan University and the Henkels family were instrumental in the establishing of the Hildebrand Project in 2004.

Musical performance featuring members of the Cleveland Orchestra: Stephen Tavani (violin), Zhan Shu (violin), Dance Johnsen (cello), Stanley Konopka, director of FUS’ New Chamber Orchestra (viola).

View flyer from the event

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

Musical performance featuring Alan Harrell (cello) from the Cleveland Orchestra, John Konopka (trumpet) FUS alum, and Emily Perron (oboe) FUS student.

View flyer from the event

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

Vist Site

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

Vist Site

October 9, 2023

Featuring members of the Cleveland Orchestra: Zhan Shu, violin, Stephen Tavani, violin, Dane Johansen, cello, and Stanley Konopka, viola.

A presentation of the Center for Beauty Monday Arts and Culture Series.

STEUBENVILLE, OH—Franciscan University of Steubenville gathered expert speakers and panelists for the Man and Woman in the Order of Creation Conference held October 24–26. Cosponsored by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) in Washington, D.C., the conference aimed to unpack man and woman’s God-given identities and the implications of those realities through the lens of several disciplines: biology, neuroscience, metaphysics, theology, and psychology.

“The Church puts the question very simply: Why did God make us male and female? And what are the implications of that decision?” said Dr. Deborah Savage, conference organizer and Franciscan University theology professor, in her welcoming address. “The premise at the heart of these proceedings is the conviction that what is needed is a coherent and robust scientifically, philosophically, and theologically grounded account of the nature of man and woman, both in themselves and in relation to one another.”

Read the full article here.

Man and Woman Conference Program

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—The male vocal ensemble Floriani will perform a sacred music concert on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 425 North 4th Street, Steubenville, Ohio. The event is co-sponsored by St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Sacred Music Department and Fine Arts Society.

Floriani is a world-class men’s ensemble dedicated to serving the Catholic Church and saving the culture through the beauty of sacred music. The concert “In Paradisum: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?” draws inspiration from a Requiem Mass traditionally offered for the deceased. It will feature traditional chanted pieces from the liturgy such as “Requiem in aeternum” and “Pie Jesu,” as well as more devotional pieces including “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Nearer My God to Thee.”

The concert is free, with free-will donations accepted.

Recently, Thomas Quackenbush, a member of Floriani, joined the ranks of Franciscan University’s sacred music faculty. In the spring semester, a new course on chant also will be available for students to learn more about this ancient and beautiful form of music.

To learn more about Franciscan University’s Sacred Music Program, please visit franciscan.edu/sacredmusic. To learn more about Floriani, please visit floriani.org.

Floriani Concert Flyer

Mozart’s Greatest Works

Divertimento for String Trio in E Flat major

View Concert flyer