Campus Notes

Franciscan University of Steubenville announced yesterday that Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR, will retire this summer after eleven years as chancellor.  Prior to this, Fr. Scanlan served the University for 26 years as president.

“The Lord has given me countless blessings through my years of service at Franciscan University,” Father Scanlan said. “It has been a remarkable privilege and deep joy to work with so many committed Christian faculty, staff, administrators, and donors in the vitally important ministry of Catholic higher education.”

He added, “While I will miss the daily relationships with our joy-filled students, alumni, and conference-goers on campus and my many friends in the local community, I know that this new phase of my life is also under God’s providential care and I look forward to seeing what he has next for me.”

As president of Franciscan, Fr. Scanlan transformed the University into a world-renowned leader in Catholic higher education.  Moreover, under his leadership, Franciscan University theology professors became the first in America to pledge an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium, vocations on campus blossomed, and an overall rededication to Catholic identity took place. 

Fr. Terrence Henry, TOR, current president of Franciscan University, said of Fr. Scanlan:

“We are deeply grateful to Father Mike for all he has done for the renewal of Franciscan University, the renewal of Catholic higher education, and the renewal of the worldwide Church… Father Mike heeded those same words that were spoken to St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago, ‘Go and rebuild my Church.’ And he did so by transforming Franciscan University into an internationally recognized Catholic university.”

Father Henry said it is “impossible” to calculate the thousands of lives transformed and souls brought closer to Christ because of Father Scanlan’s decades of service.

“Franciscan University’s mission springs from the heart of the Church, which has borne so much fruit from Father Michael’s endeavors. This fruit can be seen in our graduates who serve the Church in so many outstanding apostolates, in family life, as priests and religious, in business, healthcare, and in their churches and communities.”

Read the rest of Franciscan University’s press release here.

Fr. Scanlan currently serves on The Cardinal Newman Society’s National Advisory Board.  Other priests on the Board include Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Fr. Robert Levis, Fr. C. John McCloskey, and Fr. Peter Stravinskas.

Franciscan University of Steubenville is included in The Cardinal Newman Society’s Newman Guide for its strong Catholic identity here.