Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, was elected president of Franciscan University of Steubenville by a unanimous decision of the Board of Trustees on May 21, 2019.
The first Franciscan University alumnus to assume the school’s top pastoral leadership role, he graduated with his BA in theology in 1989, then earned an MDiv and MA in theology from the Washington Theological Union in 1996, writing his MA thesis on the indissolubility of Christian marriage. He earned a doctorate in education from the Graduate Theological Foundation in 2005, with a doctoral project focused on Catholic education in a post-modern world. He also earned an executive juris doctorate from Concord University School of Law of Purdue University Global in 2011.
A solemnly professed member of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, Father Dave was ordained to the priesthood in 1996.
From 2012-2019, Father Dave served as the director of Franciscan Pathways, an evangelistic outreach of his Franciscan, TOR, community. In that role, in association with 4PM Media, he hosted and produced The Wild Goose video series on developing a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, a documentary on St. Francis of Assisi titled Sign of Contradiction, and Metanoia, a 2019 video series on conversion. He hosted and produced Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls (2020) with Dr. John Bergsma. He also hosted and produced the 10th Hour Productions documentary series My father’s Father, released in 2024.
At Franciscan University, Father Dave held a number of pastoral, leadership, and administrative positions from 1996-2008. He also served on the faculty as an adjunct professor of theology (1996-1998) and as vice president for Mission and Planning (2003-2005), serving on the President’s Cabinet, leading a team of faculty, staff, and students in strategic plan development, and building mission awareness on and off campus. In addition, Father Dave served as director of Household Support (1996-1998), assistant to the president under Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, (1998-1999), director of Youth Outreach Conferences (1999-2003), and director of the Study Abroad Program in Austria (2005-2008).
From 2008-2012, Father Dave directed Post-Novitiate Formation for the Franciscans, TOR, in Washington, D.C., forming student friars in their spiritual, educational, and psychological development.
Less than a year into his presidency, Father Dave led Franciscan as it dealt with COVID-19 fears with a unique Step in Faith initiative, offering free tuition to all new students for fall 2020. This bold decision encouraged concerned students to return to in-person classes and saw the University successfully through the pandemic.
In 2021, the George D. Rice Music Center was dedicated and fall enrollment topped 3,400 (all on-campus and online graduate and undergraduate students). The Leadership Institute and Center for Criminal Justice, Law, and Ethics were launched. Trinity Health System Field was completed. Father Dave led the public kick-off of a $75 million Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign, which coincided with the celebration of the 75th Anniversary Jubilee of Franciscan University.
In 2022, the successful Rebuild My Church Campaign raised its goal to $85M. The new Center for Beauty launched the Monday Art and Culture series. In addition, the Carapellotti Fieldhouse opened and the University broke ground for the much-needed Christ the Teacher Hall and Conference Center. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote a letter to Father Dave for the Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation Conference; the letter received widespread media attention due to Pope Benedict’s theological reflections on Vatican II.
In 2023, Father Dave announced the Christ the King Chapel renovation and expansion. Five U.S. bishops joined Franciscan’s first Episcopal Advisory Board. FaithandReason.com launched to expand Franciscan’s evangelistic outreach. A local hotel was converted into Bl. Solanus Casey Residence Hall in time for the fall semester. The Franciscan Square Ice Rink opened for students and community enjoyment. Franciscan offered a “safe haven” for Jewish students as antisemitism rose nationwide following war in Israel. The Rebuild My Church Campaign closed at $125 million in December 2024, exceeding its initial goal by $50 million.
At the start of 2024, the new MS in Criminal Justice Program received formal approval. The 2024 Be Light Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Trustees. It highlights how the University will do more to prepare students to go forth and transform their communities, workplaces, and parishes; extend the University’s impact far beyond this beautiful hilltop campus; and galvanize support as the University prepares to serve future generations.
In addition to overseeing all this growth, Father Dave preaches at approximately 50 events annually, including retreats, workshops, pilgrimages, parish missions, and Franciscan University’s youth and adult conferences.
He has written eight books, including his newest, Joyful Sons and Daughters, Embracing The Father’s Love, hosts Franciscan University Presents on EWTN, and cohosts the popular podcast, They That Hope.
Since 2008, he has served on the board of Renewal Ministries; since 2020, on the board of Damascus Catholic Mission Campus; and since 2016, as the spiritual advisor to Walking With Purpose. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees for Saint Francis University (2000-2012) and a past board member for the National Service Committee.