Commencement plans for 2024

Loretto, PA — Saint Francis University is pleased to announce the plan for its in-person 173rd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, 2022.

The in-person commencement exercises will be divided into three ceremonies by University School, all held at the Maurice Stokes Athletics Center's DeGol Arena over the two days. Details may be found at  francis.edu/commencement

The 2024 ceremonies will feature Commencement addresses by distinguished friends of the University: Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM; Dr. Cynthia Zane: and Mr. Paul M. Pohl, Esq.

Saturday, May 11

Undergraduate Ceremony Speaker: School of Health Sciences and Education

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, is a Vincentian priest and president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU).

A lifelong educator born in Detroit, Fr. Holtschneider earned his degree in mathematics from Niagara University, two master’s degrees in theology from Mary Immaculate Seminary, and a doctorate in higher education policy from Harvard University. He has taught at St. John’s University (N.Y.), SUNY Buffalo, and Harvard’s Programs in Professional Education. He served as executive vice president of Niagara University and president of DePaul University (the largest Catholic University in the U.S.) for 13 years.

In 2017, Fr. Holtschneider joined Ascension as EVP/COO after previously chairing a health-related company and numerous smaller health systems founded by Catholic religious. He co-founded the Institute for Global Homelessness (IGH) and has taught at the Boston College Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education (IACHE) for 25 years. He is also the co-founder of the Institute for Global Homelessness (IGH), supporting cities on all six continents that are working to reduce street homelessness and serving as the United Nations’s primary advisor on the topic.

Graduate Ceremony Speaker: School of Health Sciences and Education 

Dr. Cynthia Zane, a Johnstown, Pa., native, started her career in higher education in 1969, graduating from Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital's nursing diploma program. Promising her father to pursue further education, she eventually became president of Hilbert College in 2006, later retiring in 2018.

Before this role, she served as chief academic officer and dean of the faculty at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati and spent a decade (1991-2001) at the University of Detroit Mercy, where she was Dean of the McAuley School of Nursing and the College of Health Professions. Zane also contributed to Saint Xavier University in Chicago, where she taught nursing and held administrative positions.

In retirement, she volunteers at Champions for Learning in Naples, Florida, mentoring high school students. As a mentor and member of the Grant Review Council, she actively supports the successful transition of high school students to higher education. Zane holds a doctorate from Northern Illinois University, a master’s from Rush University, and a bachelor’s from Saint Xavier University. She is the mother of three sons and a Nana to 12 grandchildren.

In retirement, she volunteers at Champions for Learning in Naples, Florida, mentoring high school students. As a mentor and member of the Grant Review Council, she actively supports the successful transition of high school students to higher education. Zane holds a doctorate from Northern Illinois University, a master’s from Rush University, and a bachelor’s from Saint Xavier University. She is the mother of three sons and a Nana to 12 grandchildren.

Saturday, May 11

Commencement Speaker: Shields, School of Business, School of STEAM, Division of Professional Studies

Paul M. (“Mickey”) Pohl is Of Counsel to the global law firm Jones Day, one of the world’s largest. He retired from The Jones Day partnership in 2019 after 45 years and remains resident in the firm’s Pittsburgh Office. Pohl has extensive trial and appellate experience, and has represented Catholic dioceses, universities, colleges, charitable organizations, and religious orders in matters relating to religious freedom. He headed the Jones Day team, which successfully sued the government over the contraception mandate in Obamacare.

In 1970, he graduated cum laude from Princeton University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1971-1972) receiving the Navy Achievement Medal in 1972. He graduated cum laude in 1975 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. and served as the Law Clerk to Justice Samuel J. Roberts of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (1975-1976 Term). He is a Knight of The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great and was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by the late Pope Benedict XVI.

He and his wife, Kaya, have three children and four grandchildren and reside in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania.