Legends From The Hill

Catherine (Recznik) Sullivan  graduated with her BSN in 2010 and MSN in 2012. She has gone on to receive many nursing certificates and is now playing a critical role in the ongoing development of our Nursing program as the Department’s Chair. Hear about how she lives out her lifelong passion for healthcare and education – both on campus and in the annual medical mission trip to Ecuador!   Listen t...

Mark Hanrahan  graduated in 2004 with his degree in  Business Management  – and  a minor in Theology.   Find out what made him walk away from a football scholarship to attend Franciscan University and the impact that had on his life. Mark currently serves as our Dean of Admissions, recruiting and admitting the next generation of Legends from this hill!   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumn...

Sarah (Hull) Hough graduated in 2017 with a degree in  Political Science . After a brief stint with Admissions, she accepted the role of Director of  Student Success . Sarah’s responsibilities include working with students from every department and background, walking with them through the transition to college life and beyond.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and d...

Sarah (Schriner) Salamida ’18  joins us to share about her student athlete experience and how NCAA athletics benefit individual students and the campus at large. Sarah just completed her 3rd year as Franciscan’s Women’s Soccer Coach by taking the team to the Conference Finals and being awarded  PAC Coach of the Year .   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover ot...

Welcome to Season 2 of  Legends From the Hill !  In this season, we will hear from alumni who have come back to campus to work as faculty or staff; they will share about their specific departments and what is happening on campus now. Annie Booth graduated from Franciscan University in 2014 with a  degree in History  and a minor in  Legal Studies .  She went on to a master’s degree in Criminology f...

Jackie Schabold completed a  Theology degree  with a  minor in Chemistry  in 2011. Not only does this hospital pharmacist work 70-hour weeks (!), her community service earned her the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2019. How does she do it?   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

After completing her degrees in  Business Management  and  Spanish ,  Mary Krolicki ’18 is now the RD for the Karthause at our Austrian campus .  How does a Spanish major move to a German-speaking country? Find out on this episode of Legends from the Hill.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reaso...

Hope (Batchelder) and Justin Schneir ’99 have many gifts and talents that they are sharing with the world. Hear about their music, their business ventures, and a unique scholarship they have created for students. Would you go without your phone for tuition money? Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and...

Anna Carter  graduated in 2009 with a  degree in Theology and Catechetics . She shares about her rich student experience at Franciscan and about her ministry,  Eden Invitation , a movement providing support and resources for young adult Catholics experiencing same-sex desires or gender discordance.     Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podca...

Major Andrew Matwijec began his Army career in the ROTC program on campus. His  study of theology and philosophy  laid the foundation for his service and leadership. Taking advantage of the travel opportunities provided by his career, Major Matwijec has become an award-winning travel and landscape photographer. See his work here at  his official photo site.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill:...

Regina (Doman ’92) Schmiedicke , author and editor, shares how a  degree in Communication Arts  helped her make the connections she needed to get published. Listen in behind the scenes of a writer’s career, and enjoy this trip down memory lane!   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Sr. Joan Paule, TOR  graduated from Franciscan University in 1990 with a degree in education. Hear how her career path led her to discern her vocation -and specifically- a calling to the  Franciscan Sisters of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother .   Everyone can benefit from the wisdom shared in this conversation!   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Cath...

Ryan Stout ’06 followed his dreams (literally!) to arrive at Franciscan University where he studied  Theology  and  Computer Science . His talents and curiosity have led him through a variety of computer science fields and business ventures. Most recently, Ryan developed and launched  Arsenal, an accessory for DSLR and mirrorless cameras that uses AI and machine learning to automate many common ph...

Ian Gill ’16, joins us to share about the formation of FATAL, the  Franciscan University Ultimate Frisbee team  which  won the National Championship in 2015 . After completing his degree, Ian stayed on campus to be an RD and thus has many years of experiences at Franciscan to share! Can you top his Austrian engagement story? We dedicate this episode in memory of  Neal Albert “Fat Al” Rylatt .   Li...

Dr. John Irvin '58, a veteran of the United States Army and a Board of Trustee Emeritus, has a unique experience of having had a personal relationship with every president of the University since its founding. He shares memories of the earliest days of student life and describes the remarkable growth he has seen - and continues to witness today.  Alumni of every generation will learn something new...

Mike Kehoe, a 1968 grad, paints a picture of what campus was like in the 60's with his involvement in Greek life and intramural sports.  He shares about his service in Vietnam and how he went on to have a successful career with Bell Telephone Company (later AT&T).  Mike's ongoing contributions to the University community include advice to current students and his involvement with the establish...

Our 2 co-hosts, Christie (Fleming' 10) Sheridan and Meghan (Bartnick) Coen '10 share their stories of coming to the university, their experiences on campus, and how the University continues to impact their lives and families.  Get to know your Legends From the Hill co-hosts!   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources...

David DeWolf  describes his journey of leadership, from his active involvement in student activities on campus up to now as the Vice Chair of our  Board of Trustees . Hear how he discovered his unique calling and how he continues to mentor and lead students, alumni, and his company. Finally, David has a big announcement to make about the  capital campaign and new developments for the future of Fra...

Colleen  is a 2018 graduate with a  BS in Economics and a minor in Marketing . Currently she is an IT Specialist at the  Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency  (CISA) and in this episode she shares insights into keeping yourself safe from cyber-attacks. She also shares how the young alumni of the business department are supporting current students through mentorships and networking oppo...

James and Carol Snyder, Class of 1971, attended the struggling College of Steubenville and learned that when times are tough, relationships can not only survive but thrive.  Their focus on relationships throughout their life has led them not only into professional success, but full circle back to Steubenville where they helped coordinate the first multi-year alumni reunions, a tradition we carry o...

Mike Bianco ’11 shares how paying his way through college led him to start his own company. Now with  Stripe , hear what this software and web developer has to say about what sets  Franciscan students  apart in the marketplace.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Chad Wilson graduated in 2001 with a business marketing degree  and an interest in government. Now with Nationwide Insurance, Chad shares about his and his wife’s experience with the adoption process. Their journey -and Chad’s expertise- led them to propose and help pass legislation in the state of Ohio providing low interest loans for families to help reduce the impact of adoption expenses. Learn...

Blair (Gordy) Piras ’15  studied Humanities and Catholic Culture at Franciscan before attending art school in Florence, Italy.  Returning to Franciscan as the University’s first Artist in Residence, Blair shares how she helps students encounter and create art. Her recent works include the Our Lady of the Angels image on the JC Williams Center, and a commission to make a piece for Bishop Barron’s ...

Eddie Wamala , a 2017  Business Management  alum, is the President & Co-founder at  Bugumiro Foundation in Uganda . Hear him share the story of his childhood in Uganda, how he was able to attend Franciscan, and what his foundation does to serve the community in Bugumiro.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast  episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources...

Theresa (Fischer) Danaher received her degree in Education as part of the class of 1980, and came back to complete her Masters in 2007. Join us to hear how the current principal of  Steubenville’s Bishop John King Mussio Elementary School  was involved in the very beginning of the  Household system on campus ! Theresa tells us what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how the University cont...