STEUBENVILLE — “When the university asks me to do something, it’s like getting on a roller coaster,” said Paul Michael “Mickey” Pohl, chairman of the most successful fundraising campaign in Franciscan University of Steubenville’s 75-year history.

While the Rebuild My Church campaign raised $125 million, exceeding its original goal by $50 million, Pohl said he initially wasn’t certain about its success, comparing it to a thrill ride in which one “always feels better at the end.”

The Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, the university’s president, noted it was launched three and a half years ago “at a crazy time in the world.”

Pivonka recalled it was not only the start of the pandemic but on a more personal note, upon the impending death of his father.

But he and Pohl said many came together, offering generous donations and other support as well as prayers, to further the goals of building the Christ the Teacher Academic Hall, where the campaign’s gratifying end was announced Friday; extensive renovations to Christ the King Chapel and the addition of new academic programs and facilities.

“No one said, I won’t help. No one let us down,” Pohl told the many on hand for the announcement, adding, “I thank each of you sincerely.”

Among the many receiving Pohl’s thanks was Bob Hickey, vice president of advancement and leader of a team behind the campaign.

Hickey noted the campaign’s many contributions included more than $29 million from about 11,000 alumni and more than $40 million from former and current members of the university’s board of directors.

Regina Boerio, dean of humanities and social sciences and the university’s longest-serving current faculty member, said she and other teaching staff at the school have been energized by the new programs and scholarship opportunities created through the campaign.

The campus’ largest academic building, the Christ the Teacher Academic Hall includes state-of-the-art nursing, engineering and business classrooms and labs, and the Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center and a lecture hall with a seating capacity of 85.

The university also is slated to launch doctoral programs in theology and ministry, pending approval from accreditors.

Planned renovations for Christ the King Chapel include expanding its seating from 325 to 500, and the university continues to accept donations for it.

Through the campaign, the St. John Paul II Scholarship has been established for students from the dioceses of Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie and Pittsburgh.

Hickey said the developments have a local economic impact, including the employment of more than 200 laborers in the construction of the new facilities.

But many reflecting on the campaign on Friday noted the spiritual impact the school hopes to create in its students and beyond its campus.

Pivonka said the new center will allow religious conferences to be held on campus year-round and the university plans to establish a mission in Washington, D.C., to inspire students to consider careers in public service.

Amelia Abdalla, a senior political science and philosophy major at the school, said her mother advised her time at the school prepared her well not only for her profession but life in general.

Abdalla said through her own experience there, she is confident she’ll “look back on this place as crucial in whatever God plans to do with my life.”

Boerio said many alumni have commented that their spiritual faith grew while attending Franciscan.

Pivonka said the campaign’s tremendous success is humblin, but ultimately, “It wasn’t about dollars and cents. It was about faith. Apart from God, there’s no reason, there’s no purpose, for what we’re doing.”

Pohl challenged the university’s students to embrace the opportunities offered by it to become great scholars and witnesses for Christ.

“Our work is just beginning. It must continue,” he said, adding, “As Luke reminds us, nothing is impossible through God.”