STEUBENVILLE, OH—The May 13-14, 2016, commencement exercises at Franciscan University of Steubenville will mark the graduation of more than 660 students—and the first time two separate ceremonies will be held to honor science and arts graduates. The change in format will allow more friends and family members of graduates to attend the Saturday ceremonies.

The commencement ceremony for undergraduate and graduate science degree recipients will take place Saturday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m., followed by the commencement ceremony for undergraduate and graduate arts degree recipients at 1:00 p.m. Both events will be held in Finnegan Fieldhouse.

Events begin on Friday, May 13, with the 6:00 p.m. Baccalaureate Mass, also in Finnegan Fieldhouse. Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap., will preside and receive an honorary doctorate of sacred theology for his Christ-like leadership as a successor to the Apostles, his pro-life work with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and his service to Pope Francis.

The sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal O’Malley is the outgoing chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He is also a member of the Administrative Board, the Committee on Migration, and the subcommittees on the Church in Africa and the Church in Latin America. He previously headed the Commission on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.

Pope Francis, shortly after his March 2013 election, selected Cardinal O’Malley as the only North American member of his council of cardinals, which advises the Holy Father on the restructuring of the Roman Curia. In addition, Pope Francis asked Cardinal O’Malley to lead the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Dr. Laura M. Meeks will give the address at the Saturday, 9:00 a.m., science commencement ceremony and receive an honorary doctorate of educational leadership, recognizing her leadership in higher education and her numerous contributions to the local community.

From 1999 to 2015, Meeks was the fourth president of Eastern Gateway Community College, which serves Jefferson, Columbiana, Trumbull, and Mahoning counties in eastern Ohio. Under her leadership, enrollment grew more than 100 percent, drawing national recognition.

She was chosen to attend the National Summit on the Redesign of Developmental Education at the White House and also selected to participate in the White House College Opportunity event aimed at strengthening student success. Meeks has served more than 30 years in community college leadership.

Her community involvement includes work with the local Martin Luther King Community Celebration and Steubenville Kiwanis, among other Jefferson County groups, and it extends to service in the Mahoning Valley and Trumbull County region as well.

In honor of his service to Franciscan University and his courageous witness to the faith, Father Terence Henry, TOR, will also receive an honorary doctorate of educational leadership at the Saturday morning science ceremony. Father Henry served as the fifth president of Franciscan University from August 2000 to May 2013, and then as chancellor until 2015. He currently serves as local minister of Queen of Peace Friary in Pittsburgh.

Committed to life issues, Father Henry directed Franciscan University’s filing of a lawsuit in 2012 opposing the federal government’s mandate that would force provision of health insurance coverage counter to its religious principles. In addition, he established the Franciscan University Institute of Bioethics, which provides a solid Catholic response to secular assaults on the dignity of human life, marriage, and other human life issues. While president, he joined students and alumni and attended every March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Father Henry also undertook the University’s most ambitious capital campaign, instituted several new majors, and helmed the University’s re-entry into intercollegiate sports.

Paul M. (Mickey) Pohl, JD, who will speak at the arts commencement ceremony on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., will receive an honorary doctorate of Christian ethics.

A partner in the global law firm Jones Day, Pohl leads the team of attorneys representing 43 Catholic organizations, including Franciscan University, in religious freedom lawsuits filed in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate.

Pohl has more than 40 years of trial and appellate experience and has counseled clients on U.S. litigation issues in Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. His practice includes product liability and toxic tort matters and government investigations, as well as antitrust, corporate governance, telecommunications, natural resources, and corporate criminal litigation.

A former member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Pohl received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in recognition of distinguished service, the Church’s highest honor that can be awarded to laity, in 2013.

This year’s top 10 home states for the Class of 2016 include Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, Texas, New York, Michigan, Maryland, and West Virginia. The Class of 2016’s top 10 majors are theology, business (with six majors in this department), nursing, education, psychology, catechetics, communication arts, biology, English, and philosophy.

Franciscan University President Father Sean O. Sheridan, TOR, will confer the degrees and Father Richard Davis, TOR, chairman of the Board of Trustees, will preside at both ceremonies along with members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors.

For those unable to attend, all ceremonies were live-streamed online. View the ceremonies below.