STEUBENVILLE — A record number of graduates will be recognized when the Franciscan University of Steubenville hosts its 78th commencement exercises May 8-9.

A projected 933 students will be a part of the largest graduating class in university history.

Events begin at 6 p.m. May 8 with the Baccalaureate Mass, which will be presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. Two commencement ceremonies will be held May 9, the first at 9 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m. All events will take place in Finnegan Fieldhouse.

“I look forward to celebrating this milestone with the incredible men and women who make up the largest graduating class in Franciscan University’s history,” said the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, university president. “I am confident the education and formation they have received during their time with us at Franciscan have prepared them to be joyful disciples of Jesus Christ and a light to a world that desperately needs it. With God’s grace, they will continue to serve his church and his world.”

Pizzaballa, who has served as Latin patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020 and became a cardinal in 2023, shepherds the Catholic church in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus. As a Franciscan friar and longtime leader in the region, he has been a prominent voice for peace, dialogue and the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East. He will receive an honorary doctorate in Christian ethics and deliver the homily during the Baccalaureate Mass on May 8.

At the 9 a.m. commencement ceremony on May 9 for graduates in the sciences and professional programs, the featured speaker will be Catholic entrepreneur and philanthropist Timothy Busch. Busch is the founder of the Busch Firm and co-founder of the Napa Institute. The Catholic University of America named its school of business and economics after Busch and his wife, Steph, in honor of their support of the school. He is recognized nationally for his leadership in business, Catholic education and religious liberty initiatives. He will receive an honorary doctorate in humane letters.

At the 1 p.m. commencement ceremony on May 9 for graduates in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, the featured speaker will be priest, author and educator, the Rev. Robert Spitzer, SJ. Co-founder of the Napa Institute and co-founder and president of the Magis Center, Spitzer is known for his work in the fields of philosophy, ethics, science and Catholic apologetics. A former president of Gonzaga University, he has written and spoken extensively on the relationship between faith and reason. He will receive an honorary doctorate in catechetics and evangelization.

Members of the university’s Class of 2026 come from the top 10 states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, New York, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Florida and New Jersey, and 36 other states and 25 countries. Their top 10 majors are theology, business, psychology, nursing, education, philosophy, engineering, biology, communication arts and English.

Pivonka will confer the degrees. The Rev. Joseph Lehman, TOR, chairman of the board of trustees, along with members of the board of trustees, will be in attendance.

For information and for a link to a livestream of all ceremonies, visit academics.franciscan.edu/commencement/.