Legends From The Hill

Shevin McCullough ’03  studied  Marketing at Franciscan University  before getting involved in real estate and music. Join us to hear his conversion story that led to his  co-founding of Studio 3:16 , a Christian episodic TV series for kids and a source of content for religion classes and biblical study lessons.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Ca...

Heather Khym completed a degree in Theology and Catechetics in 2001 .  While raising 3 kids, Heather founded  Life Restoration Ministries with her husband Jake . She is also one of the co-host for the beloved  Abiding Together  podcast! In preparation for Advent, a time for prayer and reflection to encounter Jesus in a new way and to experience deeper healing, we talk about Heather’s journey towar...

Terry Schilling  completed a  degree in Political Science  in 2009 and immediately managed a winning  election campaign for his father Bobby in 2010 ! Today we speak with the current President of The American Principles Project  about his work in pro-life politics and the importance of considering such topics during an election.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and...

Tim Delaney  completed his degrees in  History  and  Theology in 1999. After testing the waters outside of Steubenville, Tim came back home to Franciscan and has now been on the staff for 20 years, initially with Financial Aid and Admissions, and now in the Alumni office. Tune in for a preview of the University’s upcoming Strategic Plan, plus Tim has “20 Insights from 20 Years”. Don't miss this ve...

Brendan Gotta  graduated in 2015 with a degree in  Communication Arts . Alongside his career spanning ministry and fundraising he started his own podcast called  Gotta Be Saints . Join us to hear Brendan share how he balances career, family, and passion projects.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith an...

Shannon  studied  English  and  Theology  at Franciscan, and even came back for a  Masters in Catechetics , but it was her extracurricular activities as a student that shaped her career thus far. After volunteering with  Vagabond Missions  while at Franciscan, Shannon moved into a full-time role with the organization and has been there ever since. Her passion is advocating for the youth of our inn...

Anthony Pienta graduated in 2004, having majored in  Philosophy ,  Theology , and  Business .  Now the  Executive Director at The Altum Fund , Anthony has used all three of those degrees to make his way through careers in education and fundraising.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Christen (Pine) Routh ’07 graduated with a double major in  French  and  Business (Finance)  and has enjoyed a successful career with  “Big 4” accounting firm Earnst & Young -while being a working mom. She shares her path and story of how she and her husband, Jimmy Routh MA ’04 have been both foster and adoptive parents.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and disc...

Mary (Jaminet) McClusky graduated from Franciscan University in 1998 with a communications degree . A life-long worker in the vineyard of the Pro-Life Movement, Mary now leads training and resource creation for the Project Rachel Ministry at the USCCB . In this role she supports the Church’s post-abortion healing ministry at the national level while developing best practices for diocesan programmi...

After a student experience marked by pro-life advocacy work, Jason Negri completed a degree in History and pursued a career in law. To this day, he continues to advocate for injustices happening in the world around him.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Erin (Wilson) Shircliff graduated with a  Theology degree in 2011 and began a career in Pro-Life advocacy. Working at  Mary’s Shelter in northern Virginia , Erin supports mothers during and – just as importantly – after their pregnancies. Take a listen to learn more about this beautiful ministry.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts,...

Ken Baldwin  graduated in 2005 with a  degree in Communication Arts . After working for Franciscan University in both admissions and advancement he is now the Executive Director of the  St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology  with  Dr. Scott Hahn . Ken and his wife Maria (Torma '08) are faithful advocates for Franciscan University and he shares the impact it has made on his life.   Listen to more L...

Frank Monaco completed an English degree at The College of Steubenville in 1972 before going on to a successful career as a police officer - and police chief - in Pennsylvania. Frank and his team were the first responders on the scene in recovery of Flight 93 in Somerset, PA on 9/11. From Steubenville in the late 1960s, to the Pennsylvania State Troopers, Frank has a broad range of experiences and...

Bob Hogan studied  Philosophy  and  Business  at Franciscan, graduating in 2010. After law school and a brief but successful stint at a law firm, Bob is launching a pro-life insurance company. Tune it to find out what a pro-life insurance company offers and how Bob’s business model is informed by his faithful Catholic education.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and...

Liz Miller, class of 2010, practices international law and defends human rights. She recently founded her own non-profit organization that works to prevent human trafficking domestically. Liz credits her studies in  Theology  and  Philosophy  at Franciscan as the foundation of her formation and the springboard of her career.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and disc...

Where’s the cross-over from country music to Catechetics? John Paul Von Arx ’17 shares his story, including how his God-given talents took him away from Franciscan… and then right back. Don’t miss the new music video for “He’s Different” , the song John Paul wrote about having – and learning from – a brother with Down’s Syndrome. Visit  JohnPaulVonArx.com  to discover his music or to book John Pau...

Michelle (Weber) Hillaert ’99 comes from a long line of sisters to attend Franciscan, where she studied  Communication Arts  and played soccer. She is currently the executive director of the  Given Institute , which helps form young women into leaders.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Mark Kalpakgian  completed his studies in  History  and  French  in 2002, and after a brief stint in the business world he became the Director of Student Life for  our Gaming, Austria campus  from 2006-2012.  For the last 10 years he has been putting his business and education experience to good use at  The Classical Academies , where he is now serving as the COO.  Additionally, in 2015, Mark and...

Michelle (McKnight) Barto ’03 studied  computer information science  and  business marketing  at Franciscan. She has led a successful career in a fortune 500 company and created 2 of her own small businesses. Michelle is passionately involved in her local community and serves on the  Board of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District  in her home of Costa Mesa, California.   Listen to more Legends...

The common thread running through the life of Rhett Young ’94 is trust in God’s providence and plan.  Hailing from California, Rhett arrived in Ohio to pursue  degrees in Theology and Philosophy , and -as it turned out- his wife! After some time back out west in Denver and the Los Angeles area working in education and diocesan family ministry, Rhett’s journey brought him back to Steubenville where...

When people ask you “How are you doing?”, do you answer, “Busy!”?  Holly Joy (Penzenstadler) McIlwain graduated with an education degree in 2003 and has put her talents to good use – instructing and presenting to countless individuals, helping them find fullness and balance in their life. An accomplished author, speaker, and HR professional, Holly Joy is here for you. Contact Holly or find her boo...

Have you ever had déjà vu?  Iliana (Gonzales) Spoelman  graduated from Franciscan University in 2016 with her degree in  Communication Arts , having also been a student athlete and a Resident Assistant in her dorm. Iliana later returned to Franciscan as a Residence Director, took a position as a basketball coach, and now serves as our Assistant Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations, a com...

Mark’s journey with Franciscan University began by hearing  Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR , speak at a conference. Since Mark is now the  Director of Career Services , we’ll talk today about how the  Office of Personal Vocation  uses new platforms and technology to help current students prepare for their future and keep our alumni connected.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episo...

From court side to couch side, Suzy (Heusel) Delaney uses her undergrad degrees in  Biology  and  Theology , and her  Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling , to coach your body, mind, and soul. Suzy spent her first stint with FUS coaching our women’s basketball team, including as head coach from 2012 to 2019. Her work with students continues in the form of a counseling role in the  Baron Co...

After serving as the Director of Student Life on  our Gaming campus  for 7 years, Brian has returned to Steubenville to work with his good friend  Fr. Dave  as Director of Presidential Relations.  Does a  Marketing degree  prepare you for Youth Ministry?  Why is Austria like a microwave?  Is Mel Gibson’s daughter really visiting campus?  We have questions, and Brian Kissinger has the answers on th...