We listened to U2 and the Dave Matthews Band; they listen to Post Malone and Of Monsters and Men. We wore flannel and overalls; they wear Chacos and Patagonia gear. We escaped to Drover’s for wings and beer; they escape to the Top of the World—a cliff in West Virginia overlooking the Ohio River. We sang songs by Rich Mullins . . . over and over and over again. They’re singing something called “Reckless Love” . . . over and over and over again.
Since the 1990s, the details of campus life at Franciscan University have unquestionably changed. The essentials, however, (and even some of the professors) have remained very much the same. That’s the lesson dozens of alumni from the late 1980s and 1990s have learned in recent years, as they’ve sent their children to Steubenville for their own Franciscan experience.
Today, the student body at Franciscan University is increasingly made up of Legacy Students—children of one or more Franciscan alumni. For any university, that’s a good thing; there is no higher form of praise for your alma mater than entrusting it with your own children. For Franciscan—a small university with a specific mission and vision—it’s a very good thing. It means what we strive to do—form joyful missionary disciples who can live as salt and light in the culture—is working; the parent alums’ desire to give their children what they received at Franciscan is a testimony to that.
Recently, Franciscan Magazine talked with just a few of those alumni and their children about their experiences on campus, then and now, as well as how the parents’ time at Franciscan (and stories about that time), shaped their children’s decision to follow in their footsteps.
Here, at a glance, is what we learned.
Celeste (Mazzan ’94) Howard
Irving, Texas
Discovered Franciscan . . . “I went to summer conferences at Franciscan in the ’80s and got on their mailing list. I remember getting a St. Francis holy card with a note saying they were praying for me to go to college wherever God wanted me to go. At the time, I had never thought about God wanting me at one place versus another, so I thought I would try Franciscan for a year. I ended up staying.”
Majored in . . . Elementary Education (Concentration in Learning Disabilities).
Favorite professor . . . Dr. Mark Miravalle.
Favorite date destination . . . “Anything in Pittsburgh or the cemetery on the hill in West Virginia, overlooking the river.”
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . “Drover’s!”
Favorite “Caf” food . . . Soft-serve ice cream.
Listened to . . . Rich Mullins, Innocence Mission, R.E.M., Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, B-52s, and Alanis Morissette.
Sang at FOPs . . . “It Is Good” (the “La La La” song).
Wore . . . “It was all bad. Boy Levi jeans, baggy elastic pants, and too high waist everything!”
What’s changed . . . “All the new buildings. It’s much prettier now.”
What’s stayed the same . . . “The faith and energy of the students walking around campus.”
What I’m doing now . . . “I’m a homeschooling mom of seven. I also started and now run a monthly prayer group and Catholic boys/girls clubs.”
Married to . . . Philip (Flip) Howard ’97
I’m grateful for Franciscan because . . . “It taught me that God’s world is so much bigger than mine! While things may not always go as I prefer in my little corner, I only need to look up at him, see his grandeur, and ask him what he wants of me. Then, suddenly, everything is good and perfectly as it should be.”
Aidan Howard ’21
Legacy Pressure . . . “Yeah . . . this is the only school they’d pay for.”
Majoring in . . . Biology/Theology.
Favorite professor . . . Dr. James Merrick.
Toughest professor . . . “Any of the sophomore biology teachers.”
Sports . . . Tennis team.
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . “Top of the World.”
Most popular date destination . . . Brooklyn Bagel.
Favorite “Caf” food . . . “The pasta bar is a staple.”
Listening to . . . Of Monsters and Men, Dear Other.
Singing at FOPs . . . “Reckless Love.”
Wearing . . . Baggy pullovers.
Parents’ most frequently told Franciscan stories . . . “Dad had way more stories—mostly pranks his friends pulled—but one of the best ones is my dad’s awkward first date with my mom when he was a freshman and she was a fifth-year senior.”
Franciscan stories I might tell my kids someday . . . “Luckily, I haven’t done anything too stupid yet, but I had a lot of fun on the first big snow day of the year making makeshift sleds and a couple of the guys rolling down in a tractor tire flailing their arms out the side.”
Plans for the future . . . “Hopefully, med school.”
Samuel Wright ’21
Legacy Pressure . . . “Not at all!! This was my number one school choice. I only applied to Franciscan!”
Majoring in . . . Business Marketing.
Favorite professor . . . “Dr. Logan Gage. He is very smart but also keeps his class engaged and has great lectures.”
Toughest professor . . . “Again, Dr. Gage! He pushed me harder than any teacher and didn’t accept 50 percent effort.”
Household . . . AMDG.
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . “The Top of the World.”
Most popular date destination . . . “The Top of the World” and the Weirton bowling alley.
Favorite “Caf” food . . . The burgers.
Listening to . . . Post Malone and Ed Sheeran.
Singing at FOPs . . . “Reckless Love.”
Wearing . . . Patagonia hats.
Parents’ most frequently told Franciscan stories . . . “How my dad met my mom at the coffee shop he owned in downtown Steubenville.”
Plans for the future . . . “To work for the federal government in some capacity, like my dad.”
Joe ’97 and Brooke (Batchelder ’98) Wright
Morrisville, Vermont
Discovered Franciscan . . . “Through my former NET member, Tim Scanlan ’89, who encouraged me to apply. He had just seen an application by a different Joe Wright, and thought it was me, so he called me to tell me he saw my application. I told him it wasn’t me . . . and then I applied. (Joe) “I was directed by my parents.” (Brooke)
Majored in . . . Mental Health and Human Services (Joe and Brooke).
Favorite professor . . . Professor Ed Bessler (Joe); Dr. Regina Boerio (Brooke).
Toughest professor . . . Dr. Jim Harold (Joe); Dr. Damian Fedoryka (Brooke).
Household . . . Prince of Peace (Joe); Mother of Love (Brooke).
Favorite date destination . . . Station Square (Joe); Eat’n Park (Brooke).
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . Francesco’s Coffee Shop (founded by Joe).
Favorite “Caf” food . . . Ice cream (Brooke).
Listened to . . . Dave Matthews Band, The Tragically Hip (Joe); Dave Matthews, Tragically Hip, Nanci Griffith, John Gorka (Brooke).
Sang at FOPs . . . “Our God Is an Awesome God” and “Alpha and Omega.”
Wore . . . Umbros and overalls.
What’s changed . . . “The number of buildings!”
What’s stayed the same . . . “The good old Steuby smell.”
What we’re doing now . . . Immigration Officer, Department of Homeland Security/Fraud Detection and National Security (Joe); Mom, musician, and music teacher (Brooke).
The best thing we received from our time at Franciscan was . . . “Lifelong Catholic friendships.”
Edward ’98 (Ched) and
Nanette (Figueroa ’98) Salasek
Phoenix, Arizona
Discovered Franciscan . . . “By the grace of God.” (Ched); “My sister went there, and I swore I would not go. But I visited her at a Come and See Weekend and was sold.” (Nanette)
Majored in . . . Communication Arts (Ched); Social Work (Nanette).
Favorite professor . . . Dr. Jim Coyle (Ched); Dr. Tom Graham (Nanette).
Toughest professor . . . Father Anthony Mastroeni (Ched); Dr. Andy Minto (Nanette).
Household . . . Magnificat (Nanette).
Sports . . . Baseball (Ched); Volleyball (Nanette).
Favorite date destination . . . Stoney’s, Jaggin’ Around, or Kangaroo’s (a Pittsburgh karaoke bar).
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . “The Twilight, the Fed, the Bulldog, my apartment on Ridge.” (Ched); “The Bulldog, Overstreet, or Drover’s” (Nanette).
Favorite “Caf” food . . . Breakfast (Nanette).
Listened to . . . George Strait, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Rusted Root (Ched); Counting Crows, Hootie and the Blowfish, old-school hip-hop (Nanette).
Sang at FOPs . . . “Beautiful” by Twila Paris.
Wore . . . Flannel. Lots of flannel.
What’s changed . . . “The updated dorms and the newly renovated J.C. Williams Center.”
What’s stayed the same . . . “The lovely smell.”
What we’re doing now . . . Public Relations and Marketing, Grand Canyon University (Ched); Mother of six and a Social Worker, Raising Special Kids (Nanette).
We’re grateful for Franciscan because . . . “I met my bride there. We have six children and were married 20 years ago in August. We have gone through a lot, but we continue to place our trust in Jesus and offer gratitude daily for all that we have been given in this beautiful sacrament. We also have wonderful support from fellow Franciscan grads.” (Ched); “It’s where I met the love of my life, my husband. It’s where I surrendered completely to God’s merciful love. It’s where I was formed in virtue and love to be the wife and mother I am today. It’s where I received the graces and strength I would need to raise a beautiful daughter born with spina bifida.” (Nanette)
Andrew Salasek ’21
Legacy Pressure . . . “A little from my parents who really wanted it for me. But ultimately it was my decision.”
Majoring in . . . Psychology.
Favorite professor . . . Dr. Matthew Breuninger.
Toughest professor . . . Dr. Eric Haenni.
Household . . . AMDG.
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . Rutt’s Cross Country Tavern.
Most popular date destination . . . “Top of the World.”
Favorite “Caf” food . . . Eggs and hash browns.
Listening to . . . Justin Bieber.
Singing at FOPs . . . “Reckless Love.”
Wearing . . . Sweatpants and T-shirts.
Parents’ most frequently told Franciscan stories . . . “How my parents met at FUS and fell in love. Also, how my mom fell through the kitchen floor at their engagement party.”
Franciscan stories I might tell my kids someday . . . “The time I walked into a concrete hanging flower pot and got a mild concussion.”
Plans for the future . . . “I’m not 100 percent sure, but maybe work in the field of psychology (or social work) counseling teens struggling with drug and alcohol addictions.”
Emily Kissinger ’20
Legacy Pressure . . . “A little bit from my parents considering it was the college both of them went to.”
Majoring in . . . Biology/Pre-Med.
Favorite professor . . . Dr. Jeff Rohde.
Toughest professor . . . Dr. Logan Gage.
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . Home.
Most popular date destination . . . “On campus: one of the available common rooms. Off campus: Robinson, any of the local restaurants, or bowling.”
Favorite “Caf” food . . . “Definitely the cheesecake! Or the bread bowls.”
Listening to . . . Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, and Russell Dickerson.
Singing at FOPs . . . “Oceans.”
Wearing . . . Birkenstocks, Chacos, flower dresses, Patagonia.
Parents’ most frequently told Franciscan stories . . . “My uncle once filled the back of his truck with water and dumped random people on campus in there, saying they were being baptized.”
Franciscan stories I might tell my kids someday . . . “One time about 12 of my friends and I accidentally locked all of our belongings, including our shoes, in one of the classrooms late at night in SS. Cosmas and Damian. Our phones and student IDs were in there so we couldn’t leave and go back to our dorms. Unfortunately, there was also an emergency on campus that day, and all of the security officers were busy with the ambulance or paperwork. We all had three exams back to back the next day, and all of our books were locked in the room as well. We spent five hours in SS. Cosmas and Damian (until about 1:00 a.m.) waiting for our books and belongings, then we went to bed. We all did pretty well on the exams, though, despite the inability to study that night.”
Plans for the future . . . Medical school.
Dr. Mark Kissinger ’94
Wintersville, Ohio
Discovered Franciscan. . . “My family moved to Steubenville when I was 9 years old. My father was a business professor at Franciscan (then the College of Steubenville). I was never really given a choice of where I was going to school.”
Majored in . . . Biology
Favorite professor . . . “I really enjoyed many of the professors, but if I have to pick one— Dr. Jim Harold.”
Toughest professor . . . “Dr. Winifred Dickinson, without a doubt. She was brilliant and a force to be reckoned with.”
Household . . . “I was part of Mustard Seed Household, which collapsed my freshman year. I then joined Lion of Judah.”
Favorite date destination . . . “Milk and cookies in the pub after distracting my girlfriend (now my wife, Ana) away from the library.”
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . “Irvstock. The Irvin family had a water-filled quarry 30 minutes west of Steubenville. Warm weather, friends with guitars and musical abilities, and a cliff to jump from.”
Favorite “Caf” food . . . Nachos or the Italian bar.
Listened to . . . U2.
Wore . . . Birkenstocks.
What’s changed . . . “The students look so young, but I was once like them. In a real way, I see the current generation as less connected to the world around them. Many are constantly plugged into the electronic world and missing the reality around them.”
What’s stayed the same . . . “The quality of the people. Both the students and staff have always provided me with a source of hope for our future. I often read about all the terrible news around the world, and I find hope in the future when I see the quality of the students and the quality of the professors who are helping to shape them.”
What I’m doing now . . . Family Practice Physician.
Married to . . . Ana (Miranda ’94) Kissinger.
I’m grateful for Franciscan because . . . “It brought Ana and me together, first as students, eventually as husband and wife. It shaped me academically to prepare me for medical school; I felt like I had a leg up on many of my classmates in medical school because of the professors I had as an undergraduate student. More importantly, it enriched my faith, and it gave me words to understand and communicate my beliefs.”
Edward ’88 and
Lisa (Nicolosi ’88) Modzewleski
Charlotte, North Carolina
Discovered Franciscan . . . “Through the high school youth conferences.” (Edward) “Through the charismatic renewal and my older brother.” (Lisa)
Majored in . . . Communications (Edward); Education (Concentration in Learning Disabilities) (Lisa).
Favorite professor . . . Dr. Alan Schreck (Edward); Judy Talaber (Lisa).
Household . . . Ahim Adonai (Edward).
Favorite off-campus hangout . . . Pizza Hut.
Favorite “Caf” food . . . “Cereal. You can’t ruin cereal.” (Edward)
Listened to . . . Larry Norman, U2 (Edward); Amy Grant, Twila Paris (Lisa).
Wore . . . Jeans and T-shirts (Edward); Jumpers (Lisa).
What’s changed . . . “The new buildings and sports. Also, the addition of Division III sports.”
What’s stayed the same . . . “Christ the King Chapel, the Port, the TORs, and Household Life.”
What we’re doing now . . . Chief HR Officer at a law firm (Edward); Second Grade Teacher at St. Mark’s Catholic School (Lisa).
We’re grateful for Franciscan because . . . “It had a huge influence on my faith formation, plus it prepared me for dealing with people in my professional life.” (Edward).
Paul ’17 and Luke ’20 Modzewleski
Legacy Pressure . . . “Yes!” (Paul and Luke).
Majoring in . . . Finance and Accounting (Paul); Business Management (Luke).
Favorite professor . . . Professor Don Materniak (Paul and Luke).
Toughest professor . . . Professor Pete Zanetich (Paul and Luke).
Sports . . . Lacrosse.
Singing at FOPs . . . “Because He Lives.”
Wearing . . . Sandals in the winter.
Parents’ most frequently told Franciscan stories . . . “How they met each other and got married.”
Franciscan stories I might tell my kids someday . . . “Our time studying in Europe was amazing, so definitely that. Also, we played lacrosse during its first season ever at Franciscan. That was pretty great, too.”
