Class of 1969
Member, Franciscan University Board of Trustees
I came to the College of Steubenville in 1965. I decided to study philosophy. It was a very impractical major at the time, but I loved it. I loved just about everything at the school—my friends, my professors, my activities, the friars. Everyone knew each other, and there was this wonderful sense of camaraderie.
I graduated in 1969, then returned to the campus in September 1970 to work as an admissions counselor. Those were difficult times. The baby boom generation had peaked, and small Catholic colleges like us were competing for the same pool of students. Enrollment was not growing; in fact, long-term forecasts predicted a downward trend, which would impact the viability of the school. However, with a vision of returning to traditional Catholic values in education and life, the tide was turned.
Coming back to campus now, it’s so good to see that in all the important aspects, the school is very much like it was when I was a student here. There is the same friendliness among the students and faculty. The kids are authentically good, without being anything other than normal kids. Obviously the faith dimension is stronger than ever, and the educational foundation the school provides is excellent. The growth of the school, the attention it has received on a national level, just go to show that what Franciscan University does is working.
