As a professor at Franciscan, department chair, wife, and mother, there is no denying that Becca leads a busy life.  However, that hasn’t stopped her from serving as a member on our Alumni Board in hopes of helping strengthen the alumni community.  In our conversation, she reflects on her growth as a student, inviting us to join her in her efforts to send forth our current students as disciples into this world.  Connect with Becca by emailing her at rrook@franciscan.edu.

As the President and Vice President of our Alumni Board, Anne and John share insights on the ways that they’ve seen the engagement of alumni with the University grow over the years and the ways they hope to continue supporting the alumni community by encouraging alumni to reach out with thoughts and new ideas.  Along the way, they inspire us with stories from their time as students and how the University has touched their lives – the ultimate reason for why they are passionate about giving back to their alma mater.  Connect with Anne and John on LinkedIn.

As the new Executive Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations and your podcast host, Chris introduces himself and shares his vision of support and service to the alumni community going forward. He also provides a little sneak peek into the exciting conversations we have planned for Season 5 of Legends from the Hill.  Connect with Chris at CKrivoniak@franciscan.edu or email us at alumni@franciscan.edu.

As we make the most of this last summer month, we chat with Kevin Symonds about the impact that his Household and formation at Franciscan had on his life and his ability to embrace the many different directions in which God’s will took him.  As an author of three books (Refractions of Light, Pope Leo XIII and the Prayer to St. Michael, and On the Third Part of the Secret of Fátima), Kevin sheds light on what it means to be “successful” as a Catholic and how to live a successful Catholic lifestyle.  To learn more, visit www.kevinsymonds.com

Annie Schuler is a young woman from Baltimore whose passion for God’s beautiful design of the female body led her to study Biology at Franciscan.  She now lives in Lockport, New York with her husband, her son, and a daughter on the way.  In celebration of the beauty of women, Annie and I discuss her book, Women of All Seasons: The Symbolism of the Menstrual Cycle.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

As we host our adult and youth summer conferences - both on campus at Franciscan University and across the world - we invite Sarah Houde '09 to share her story about working in ministry as an event planner for Catholic events.  A Catechetics and Theology major, Sarah now serves as VP of Events and Operations at the National Eucharistic Congress, where she describes the 2024 revival in Indianapolis as the “Catholic Super Bowl”.  On a personal note, she encourages us to hold on to hope when wrestling with God’s plan and His timing.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR ‘89, Robert Lesnefsky ‘99, and Tim Delaney ’99 MBA ’07 – In celebration of Father’s Day, Fr. Dave, Bob, and Tim discuss what it means to be a father and how they fulfill their unique vocations within today’s society.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

As we celebrate our new class of graduates (welcome to the FUS alumni community!), we talk to Jim Burke, MA '23 about the ways that Franciscan played a role in his faith journey.  The Catholic Studies program taught Jim about Mission and the fact that we do better when we start with the “why”, which gives meaning to the “what”.  Jim's journey has taken him from the US Marine Corps to private equity, and along the way he has learned this: You can't love what you don't know, and the more you know it, the more you can love it. https://spt.franciscan.edu/voices/jim-burke-23/   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

During the month of May, we honor our Blessed Mother - and ALL mothers!  This episode of Legends from the Hill explores some of the challenges of becoming a mother with Dr. Damian Olsen, class of 2008.  Dr. Olsen's practice uses NaPro Technology to help couples struggling with infertility and address many other women's health matters.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

As we continue our Lenten journeys, Martin and Coley chat about new opportunities to consider for a deeper faith life and more intimate relationship with God our Father through his ministry, Elevated Parish Missions.  Learn more at elevatedparishmissions.org   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

In celebration of St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland, Clare Hinshaw '12 chats about her role as the Legacy Society & Development Relations Director at Young America’s Foundation (YAF).  There, she works to foster relationships with Young America’s Foundation’s most committed supporters, organizes the Foundation’s annual Be Not Afraid Seminar for students at Catholic schools, and brings Christianity and Truth into America’s society through public communications.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Paul Herlihey ‘18 speaks about the sacrificial love he showed (and continues to show) his family with his career change from the sports industry to finance, a change that allows him to support his family not only financially, but with increased presence in their lives.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.  

As we reflect on what it means to love and be loved during Valentine’s Day, John Beaulieu ’90 talks about the ways that, through his Romans 5:5 ministry, he is preaching the Gospel message of Love, inviting us to walk with him on his journey to deeper love, mercy, and healing through his relationship with God. Pay attention to find out what other famous guest of this podcast was John’s roommate!   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

As students and families prepare for classes to resume after holiday breaks, let's talk to Abriana (Flynn) Chilelli '06 about how she is able to touch the lives of the students, faculty, and staff that she works with and serves each day in her role as the Associate Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Portland and Diocesan Liaison for the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Shevin McCullough '03 studied Marketing at Franciscan University before getting involved in real estate and music.  Join us to hear his conversion story that led to his co-founding of Studio 3:16, a Christian episodic TV series for kids and a source of content for religion classes and biblical study lessons.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Heather Khym completed a degree in Theology and Catechetics in 2001.  While raising 3 kids, Heather founded Life Restoration Ministries with her husband Jake.  In preparation for Advent, a time for prayer and reflection to encounter Jesus in a new way and to experience deeper healing, we talk about Heather’s journey towards healing and how she, through her ministry, is helping others find healing in their lives.  We also discuss her new book, Encountering Emmanuel, an Advent prayer journal that she invites us to journey through with her during this Advent season. https://www.avemariapress.com/products/encountering-emmanuel https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Terry Schilling completed a degree in Political Science in 2009 and immediately managed a winning election campaign for his father Bobby in 2010!  Today we speak with the current President of The American Principles Project about his work in pro-life politics and the importance of considering such topics during an election. For more info: https://americanprinciplesproject.org/   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Tim Delaney completed his degrees in History and Theology in 1999. After testing the waters outside of Steubenville, Tim came back home to Franciscan and has now been on the staff for 20 years, initially with Financial Aid and Admissions, and now in the Alumni office. Tune in for a preview of the University’s upcoming Strategic Plan, plus Tim has “20 Insights from 20 Years”. Don't miss this very special episode marking the beginning of our 4th series 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 Reason.

Brendan Gotta graduated in 2015 with a degree in Communication Arts.  Alongside his career spanning ministry and fundraising he started his own podcast called Gotta Be Saints.  Join us to hear Brendan share how he balances career, family, and passion projects.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Shannon studied English and Theology at Franciscan, and even came back for a Masters in Catechetics, but it was her extracurricular activities as a student that shaped her career thus far.  After volunteering with Vagabond Missions while at Franciscan, Shannon moved into a full-time role with the organization and has been there ever since.  Her passion is advocating for the youth of our inner-city neighborhoods - and finding creative ways to serve their deepest needs.   Listen to more Legends from the Hill: Alumni Podcast episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.