STEUBENVILLE - Franciscan University of Steubenville on Saturday graduated its largest class in its 64-year history.
The Class of 2012, which consisted of 731 graduates comprised of 541 undergraduates and 190 graduates, walked through the Finnegan Fieldhouse amongst their family and friends, besting the 2012 record of 706 graduates.
Commencement address speaker Gen. Michael V. Hayden, former director of the CIA from 2006-09, told the students to not worry about whatever personal trajectory their life may take.
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Jeremy Kins
ALL ABOUT LIFE — Gen. Michael V. Hayden, former director of the CIA from 2006-09 spoke Saturday to Franciscan University of Steubenville undergraduates about his life experience as an intelligence officer during the 64th-annual commencement services.
"You're the product of an educational tradition that goes back to the great universities of medieval Europe, the bodies of learning that shaped western civilization," Hayden said.
"Steeped in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, you are well equipped for the world as you are going to find it. You are, after all, coming from an institution that accurately describes itself as academically excellent and passionately Catholic," Hayden said.
Hayden's service to the United States includes nearly 40 years in the U.S. Air Force. After being appointed by former President Bill Clinton, he served as the director of the National Security Agency and the chief of the Central Security Service from 1999 to 2005.
"Don't you think it odd that my life experience as an intelligence officer brought me full circle to the truths you have learned here and I learned at Duquense? That we are all connected. That most people try to do the right thing. That we are all God's creatures. That we all deserve one another's respect," Hayden said.
From 2005 to 2006, Hayden served as the principal deputy director of national intelligence, the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country. In this capacity, he oversaw the entire intelligence community, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office. He became the director of the CIA in May 2006 and served until 2009.
"Life will come at you pretty fast now. It will soon bring you increased responsibilities and it will be rare that you will have a legitimate choice to stand by and do nothing. Responsibility usually demands actions," said Hayden. "You will need the courage to act, and the audacity to stand your ground."
"Take heart, I know that you will all do well. I have been blessed with a wonderful life, but frankly, I envy your future," Hayden said.
In addition, Franciscan University President Reverend Terence Henry conferred the degrees, and the Reverend Nicholas Polichnowski, chairman of the board of trustees, presided at the commencement ceremony along with other members of the board of trustees and board of advisers.
The top 10 majors for the class of 2012 were theology, business, catechetics, education, philosophy, nursing, biology, history, mental health and human services and English.
Area Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates are:
Amsterdam - Cindy Michelle Kelly.
Bellaire - Franklin Leasure.
Bergholz - Cory Michael Jay Groman.
Bethesda - Elijah Kirk Ferbrache.
Bloomingdale - Richarad Isaac Craddock, Ryan Patrick Marrow, Chelsie Nichole Pesta, John Puorro, Jack Morgan Skidmore,
Bridgeville - Melissa Honeychuck,
Burgettstown - Marianne Elizabeth Green.
Cadiz - Maura Birney.
Canonsburg - Genevieve Donnetta Burke.
Canton - Stephanie Joan Kohring.
Chester - Erin Patterson.
Colliers - Staci Jo Cline.
Follansbee - Elizabeth Lee Quattrocchi
Irondale - Nicholas Andrew Seliga.
Rayland - Lauren Justine Costello.
Richmond -Brittany Boneva Carte, Jessica Anne McCallister, Stacey Anne Williamson
Salineville - Joseph Patrick Blazer.
Steubenville - Robert Paul Aborn, Fernando Ramirez Aceves, Kevin Daniel Ashbrook, Kyle Patrick Beauregard, Joseph Michael Benvenga, Lisa M. Bignell, Peter Francis Bortz, Michael Charles Brown, Catherine Rose Caprara, Armando Jose Chavarria, Katey Christine Chisholm, Sarah Kathryn Danaher, Rachel M. DiBacco, Eric Anthony Doughty, Maria Chinweze Enujiofor, Keith Michael Estrada, Annmarie Fatula, Dina N. Federico, John Solanus Feeley, Jennifer Fouty, Catherine Ann Gallagher, Michael J. Gaston, Jarred Michael Gilham, Horacio Rafael Gonzalez, Christina Marie Homol, Christopher Hoover, Elizabeth Ann Hostetler, Bethany Renee Hritz, Stephanie Jean Humienny, Melody Sue Johns, Timothy Andrew Knob, Daniel O'Brien Kramer, Alexis Catherine Leonard, Benwen Einstein Lopez, James Franklin Lynch, Therese Marie Maloney, Joshua James McGee, Jennifer Elizabeth McMillin, Junior Julian Payano, Charles Anthony Pobee-Mensah, Deedra Kaye Polak, Rachel Joy Louise Poyo, Susan Poyo, Alexis Lauren Ramirez, Sonny Andrew Ramirez, Joseph Walter Rankin, Jacob Stephen Roberts, Michael Gregory Roberts, Marjorie Ruth Rowe, Melanie Rose Seitz, Catherine Sengenberger, Kaitlyn Anne Sharp, Ronald William Shier, Amber Nicole Smith, Clare Elizabeth Smith, Ryan Kolbe Sofio, Ryan Richard Stopper, Theresa Catherine Stopper, Amanda Marie Teramana, Michelle Ann Vaudrain, Kate Marie Walters, Matthew Joseph Zucco.
Tiltonsville - Lucas Richard Parsons.
Toronto - Michael William Bodnar, Thomas Kelly Dougherty, Joshua David Erickson, Joshua P Kahley, Regina Rose Recznik,Andrew John Reeves, Deanna Rose Rock, Kayla Michelle Roush, Kerri Lee Scott, Whitney Alise Tomeucci.
Weirton - Aaron William Converse, Jennifer Maureen Dyas, Kathryn Suzanne Fritzman, Shelby J. Gianni, Rachael Marie Oiler, Johnna Michelle Provenzano,Brandi D. Reinacher, Seth Michael Rhodes, Judy Lynn Schultz, Christine Guio Starvaggi, Jacqueline Marie Young.
Wellsburg - Rise' Lee Katnik, Brandy Kimball, Ross A. Tennant.
Wintersville - Janelle Bickel, Jesse Ann Hardman, Christopher John Kotur, Patrick Michael Krivoniak, Marie-Therese Anjelica Martin, Rose Sharon Miletic,Erin Marie Moffat, Michael Lawrence Rankin, Anthony David Rasicci, Burke Charles Sullivan.
