Started in 1986, the Pro Fidelitate et Virtue Award is conferred each year at the Institute on Religious Life’s National Meeting to someone who has been outstanding in the support and promotion of authentic religious life. Today's episode is honoring our 2009 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award recipient, Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. was a priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Scanlan served as president of Franciscan University from 1974-2000, chancellor from 2000-2011, and became president emeritus in 2011. Father Scanlan became president of the College of Steubenville in 1974 in the midst of turbulent times for Catholic higher education. Over the next 26 years, he transformed the College into Franciscan University of Steubenville and gained for it a worldwide reputation for both excellence in academics and its passionate Catholic faith environment. His success helped spark a restoration of authentic Catholic education in the United States and beyond, with many colleges and universities renewing their Catholic identity and new schools imitating his emphasis on Catholic Church teaching. Fr. Michael passed into eternal life on January 7, 2017, after an extended illness. Today, we will be listening to Fr. Michael Scanlan's award acceptance speech at the 2009 National Meeting. Thank you for listening! May God bless you and enjoy!