STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville’s commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 — postponed from May due to the COVID-19 pandemic — will take place Aug. 14-15.

“The thought of not celebrating with you never crossed my mind,” said the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, university president, in a video message he made last month for the graduates.

“We’re excited to bring you back to campus one last time. The entire university community is looking forward to gathering with you on Aug. 14 and 15. It’s quite appropriate we are celebrating your graduation on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Both originally scheduled commencement speakers will attend.

Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and an acclaimed author, speaker and theologian, will preside at the Aug. 14 Baccalaureate Mass and receive an honorary doctorate of catechetics and evangelization for his global media ministry that spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ “using means both old and new.”

Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. His documentaries, “Catholicism” and “Catholicism: The Pivotal Players,” have aired on hundreds of PBS stations and have been used in parishes and schools worldwide. His website, WordOnFire.org, reaches millions of people each year, as do his podcasts, YouTube videos and social media presence.

Sherry Weddell, the co-founder and executive director of the Catherine of Siena Institute and author of Forming Intentional Disciples, will deliver the Aug. 15 commencement address at the science and arts ceremonies. She will receive an honorary doctorate in catechetics and evangelization for her dedication to evangelizing the church and renewing the culture with a message of truth and hope.

The Catherine of Siena Institute trains Catholic leaders on four continents in 21st-century evangelization, forming them as missionary disciples at the parish and diocesan levels.

Plans call for the Baccalaureate Mass and academic awards ceremony to be held at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14 on the lawn outside of the Finnegan Fieldhouse, weather permitting.

Tickets are not needed for the Baccalaureate Mass. Limited seating will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain or excessive heat, Mass will be held in the fieldhouse and admission might be restricted due to limited capacity. Alternate viewing locations will be provided.

On Aug. 15, the science commencement ceremony will be held beginning at 9 a.m. with the arts commencement beginning at 1 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held in the fieldhouse.

Tickets are required for commencement ceremonies. To limit crowd size for these indoor events, graduates will receive two guest tickets and one additional guest ticket to the alternate ceremony.

Other planned events for the graduates include a City of Stars dance Aug. 13; picnic and lawn games and an evening social at Franciscan Square on Aug. 14; an evening Grad Fest on Aug, 15; and a closing Mass on Aug. 16 which will be celebrated by Pivonka.

Information for parents, graduates and visitors can be found by visiting the university’s commencement exercises webpage. For those unable to attend, Baccalaureate Mass and commencement exercises will be livestreamed at franciscan.edu/commencement-live.