Franciscan University Graduates Told “You Will Leave a Legacy of True Good”

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO-Franciscan University of Steubenville 2026 Commencement speakers Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, and Timothy Busch encouraged graduates to "go out and fulfill your purpose" and promised they had been formed by Franciscan University to "leave a legacy of true good."

Father Spitzer and Busch spoke to Franciscan's largest ever graduating class during commencement ceremonies on May 9.

The 928 members of the Class of 2026 came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, New York, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Florida, New Jersey, and 36 other states as well as 25 countries. Their top majors were theology, business, psychology, nursing, education, philosophy, engineering, biology, communication arts, and English.

The celebration began Friday, May 8, with the Baccalaureate Mass, at which Father Spitzer preached the homily. A former president of Gonzaga University, the co-founder of the Magis Center and the Napa Institute, and a leading Catholic voice in philosophy, science, ethics, and apologetics, Father Spitzer received an honorary doctorate in catechetics and evangelization.

In his homily, Father Spitzer reflected on Christ's command in John 15 to "love one another as I have loved you," urging graduates to remain faithful to the sacramental life, prayer, moral teaching, and the mercy of confession.

"Trust in Him," Father Spitzer said. "Follow that fourfold path and know in your faith that every cross will be transcended. And every one of the things that we do for one another will be turned into the eternal still point of the perfect love relationship in heaven."

Father Spitzer said the formation graduates received at Franciscan had prepared them to live lives of lasting spiritual significance.

"You will leave a legacy of true good in the world," he said. "Something every graduate… can do with a formation like you've gotten here at Franciscan University."

During the morning commencement ceremony on May 9 for graduates in the sciences and professional programs, Busch, founder of the Busch Firm and co-founder of the Napa Institute and the Magis Center, received an honorary doctorate in humane letters and delivered the commencement address.

Busch praised Franciscan University as a national leader in faithful Catholic education.

"This is the gold standard of Catholic education," Busch said. "There's no secret as to why your class sizes are growing. It's because you've been faithful to the authenticity of the magisterium."

He urged graduates to bring their faith into every aspect of their lives and work, especially as lay Catholics called to evangelize the world.

"We are in the world, and we have the ability, through our example and our preaching, to convert souls," Busch said. "I do not hide the fact that I'm Catholic, and it has never hindered me in the secular world."

Busch also challenged graduates to be leaders in defending life, engaging emerging technologies, and shaping history through prayer and courage.

"Today is a commencement. It's a beginning," Busch said. "You're receiving a degree, but you're receiving a commission, a commission to go out and pursue your purpose."

During the afternoon ceremony for graduates in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, Father Spitzer delivered the commencement address and spoke about the daily decisions that shape a Christian life: to be contributive rather than ego-driven, to look for the good in others, and to put Christ and the Kingdom of God first.

"No one brings together the secular and the sacred disciplines better than Franciscan University of Steubenville," Father Spitzer said. "And for that reason, it is a real honor to receive this degree from you."

Father Spitzer warned graduates against allowing the secular culture to pull them away from the deeper purpose for which they were formed.

"We were meant for the kingdom. We were meant for perfect truth, love, goodness, beauty, and home," he said.

He encouraged graduates to live as witnesses who contribute to the Church, their families, their communities, and the world.

"If I want to make an optimal positive difference, I'm engaged in what Christ would call love for the kingdom, for others, for family, for friends," Father Spitzer said.

In his closing remarks, University President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, reminded graduates their lives are not accidents but part of God's providential call.

"I would like you graduates to know that you have been chosen," Father Pivonka said. "He's chosen you for a purpose, for a plan. He has a desire for your life. He desires to be in relationship with you."

Reflecting on his own time as a Franciscan student praying in the Portiuncula Chapel, Father Pivonka recalled hearing the words of Christ: "It was not you who chose me. It was I who chose you."

"Continue to say yes to the Lord," Father Pivonka told the graduates. "Continue to say yes to the call that he's placed on your life, and your life will bear great fruit… Understand that he's chosen you, and he's got a great adventure in store for you."

View the ceremonies at academics.franciscan.edu/commencement-live.

Photos of Franciscan University's 2026 Commencement can be found here.