Discover Franciscan's campus transformation: $83 million raised for groundbreaking renovations, record-breaking enrollment

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — If you're walking around Franciscan's campus, you'll probably notice quite a few renovations.

Their ‘Rebuild My Church Campaign, more than $83 million has been raised for the university. Funding major new developments and revitalizing old ones.

Father Dave Pivonka says it's one of the most exciting times for Franciscan.

"We're renovating, we're building, obviously this building behind me, Christ the Teacher, the largest project we've had in the university's history, almost a $60-million-dollar project," Pivonka said.

Pivonka says it’s not only creating new spaces but resources for students to home in on their study of focus.

"To be able to serve the students better, to see that they get a better education, to see that they're formed better," Pivonka said.

Vice President of Advancement Bob Hickey says they're seeing record-breaking numbers in enrollment as a result.

"Our incoming class will be 756 students, which will be our largest class ever for the third consecutive year," he said.

Hickey says they're also raising millions of dollars toward scholarships and outreach, while still creating new majors like criminal justice.

"There's a whole bunch of things that are tethered to the success here that are overflowing into the community," he said.

For now, they're hoping this momentum will continue for the university and for the success of students.

This Christ the Teacher building will be completed in 2024, and officials say there are other projects in the works in the future.