Franciscan University Opens Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Conference Center

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO-Franciscan University of Steubenville celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center on August 21.

The new facility is the first academic hall to be built at Franciscan University in over 20 years, and it is now the largest building on campus at more than 110,000 square feet. The addition to campus comes in response to consistent annual enrollment increases, the recent addition of academic programs, and the necessity for a dedicated conference space. To meet these needs, Christ the Teacher Hall has two wings: an academic wing for engineering, business, and nursing students and a conference center wing for spiritual and educational conferences.

"Christ the Teacher Hall serves as a reminder that Jesus Christ is at the center of all we do at Franciscan University. It is a concrete sign of God's faithfulness as we continue to form joyful disciples and to educate students who are fully prepared to live and work in every field and vocation," said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR '89, president of Franciscan University. "I am grateful to our many faithful alumni and friends for joining us in this mission through their generosity and prayers."

"As this wonderful University grows its enrollment, its programs, its quality, and its positive impact in the world, this building is a next logical step, providing a host of much-needed new 'pieces' as we build our University's 'mosaic' of greatness in Catholic education," said Paul Michael "Mickey" Pohl, chairman of the Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign that is funding the construction.

"The constant growth of the on-campus student population made it necessary for Franciscan to expand academic spaces for student instruction while, at the same time, add space for medium-scale campus events to take pressure off Finnegan Fieldhouse. Those two needs were fused together to make this one new facility," said Benjamin Wetmore, vice president of MCF Architecture, whose firm has designed buildings for Franciscan University over the past 28 years.

The ground floor of Christ the Teacher Hall features a spacious, welcoming guest space and offices for Admissions and Enrollment Services. It is also the new home for the Department of Engineering and Computing where students can advance their engineering skills in eight specialized labs, including a machine workshop.

The first floor has new business classrooms for the Department of Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics. It is also home to the Sacred Heart Chapel and the Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center, which can accommodate up to 500 guests. Students and guests can eat at a new café called The Well, which has indoor and outdoor seating options.

The second floor features state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs for the Nursing Department.

"This beautiful, expansive new building is a physical representation of the core conviction that animates our whole University life: that our intellectual and academic life is not only not harmed by its integration into the life of faith, but it is also purified, ennobled, and truer to its own self," said Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, vice president for Academic Affairs at Franciscan University.

Christ the Teacher Hall is the centerpiece of Franciscan University's successful, ongoing Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign.

Father Pivonka expressed gratitude to God, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors "who stepped up to fulfill this need to expand our space and improve our ability to educate our students." He then made a surprise announcement.

"The opening of Christ the Teacher Hall is not the only good news we have to celebrate today. Our Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign, which started out with a $75 million goal, quickly moved to a $110 million goal. And, as of now, I'm happy to announce, we have surpassed our $110 million goal!" Father Pivonka said.

"Generous alumni and benefactor gifts have already fully funded campaign enhancements for the nursing, leadership, and criminal justice programs; additional financial aid and scholarships; evangelistic outreaches; and a new PhD in Theology Program," Vice President of Advancement Bob Hickey '96 MBA '01 noted.

Hickey added that the University is still inviting campaign gifts to close out the financial needs for Christ the Teacher Hall, Christ the King Chapel renovations, and the Washington, D.C., initiative, adding that the final fundraising push for the campaign will end on December 10.

Hickey expressed gratitude to all whose "courage, faithful support, and generosity" brought Franciscan University to this "day that seemed impossibly far away when we announced our Rebuild My Church Capital Campaign in December 2021."

Hickey said, "We are so grateful to everyone who has enabled us to provide Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center-and so much more-for our students. I am excited to watch these beautiful new facilities fulfill their purpose in our educational mission."

Franciscan University students will attend their first classes in Christ the Teacher Hall on August 26 at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.

Photos from the events are available here.

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