Main Campus 3

Sarah Swafford

Sarah Swafford is the founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries. She speaks on faith, relationships, and interior confidence. Sarah shares her message at school assemblies, retreats, rallies, parishes, and conferences around the world. She is co-author of Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships and author of Emotional Virtue: A Guide to Drama-Free Relationships. Sarah is co-host of Ascension’s What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith and a contributor to Ascension’s Chosen. She resides in Kansas with her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, and their six children. You can connect with Sarah at theswaffords.com

Deacon Bob Rice

Deacon Bob Rice lives in the Diocese of Steubenville with his wife, Jennifer, and seven children. He is a professor of catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches courses in Scripture, youth ministry, and music ministry. He travels around the country preaching about Jesus and has authored many books. Find out more about him at deaconbobrice.com.

Michael Gormley

Michael Gormley, or "Gomer," as his friends call him, struggled with faith, belief, and the existence of God for years. He eventually found his way to God through studying whether the resurrection of Jesus Christ was real. He has degrees in philosophy and theology, a family, works at a parish with adults, and runs two podcasts: the Catching Foxes Show and Every Knee Shall Bow.

John Paul Von Arx

John Paul Von Arx seeks to share his faith and love for country music in venues all across America and has been performing professionally for the last 12 years. Since the release of his debut solo album in 2018, John Paul has been known for his advocacy work for people with Down Syndrome and their families. Additionally, in 2020, he began working as a staff member at Franciscan University where he currently oversees Men’s and Women’s Ministry. When not performing or giving talks, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters outdoors.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. A prolific Catholic speaker, author, and host of multiple video series, he received his bachelor’s degree from Franciscan University, then earned his MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. In 1996, he was ordained a priest in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of the Franciscan Third Order Regular. Before his election as president, he served Franciscan as vice president for Mission and Planning, then as director of the TOR’s Post-Novitiate Formation and the TOR’s Franciscan Pathways.