Father Michael Scanlan
Chancellor
Franciscan University of Steubenville

“The Nurturing Network offers college students on our campus an invaluable opportunity to learn first-hand the most practical elements of pro-life counseling by actually serving women in need of help.  We enthusiastically embrace this well-established, life-saving apostolate in our campus community.”

In 1953, Michael Scanlan graduated with a BA from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1956 and gaining admittance to the New York Bar Association, he served as Staff Judge Advocate in the US Air Force. He also did graduate studies in political science and higher education administration at Catholic University and Boston University.

In 1957, Scanlan entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular. He graduated from St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. He served as acting dean of the College of Steubenville and as a lecturer in theology from 1964-1966, and from 1966-69, as dean of the General Honors Program. Father Scanlan was appointed rector-president of St. Francis Major Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania in 1969. He accepted the office of president of the College of Steubenville in 1974, a position he held until 2000, when he was named Franciscan University's first chancellor.

In addition to this duties as University chancellor, Father Scanlan is president of FIRE (A Catholic Alliance for Faith, Intercession, Repentance, and Evangelism), and a member of the Board for the Christian Film and Television Commission, Campaign for America National Committee, the Advisory Board for the Institute on Religious Life, and the Board of Directors of Renewal Ministries.

Father Scanlan has published numerous articles in religious periodicals and over 16 books and booklets, including Let the Fire Fall (Servant Books, 1986), Appointment with God (Franciscan University Press, 1987), The Truth About Trouble (Servant Books, 1989), and Rosary Companion (Franciscan University Press, 1993), and the best selling What Does God Want? ( Our Sunday Visitor, 1996). He has also spoken at numerous national and international conferences and frequently leads pilgrimages and retreats throughout the world with Franciscan University Journeys.

Father Scanlan received the Cross Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice in 1990, the Founders Award from Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in 1993, and the Protector Award from the Pro-Life Action League in 1995. He holds honorary degrees from the College of Steubenville (LittD, 1972), Williams College (LLD, 1978), and St. Francis College (MDiv, 1975; PhD, 1987).