FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis proudly announces Jason Shanks as the 2025 Commencement speaker and Donald F. Schenkel as an honorary degree recipient.
The Saint Francis Commencement is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Commencement Speaker Jason Shanks
OSV News photo
Shanks serves as president of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., leading efforts to make the National Eucharistic Revival a lasting movement. A convert to Catholicism, he was raised Methodist and discovered the Catholic Church during his college years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Miami University of Ohio, a Master of Arts in Theology—with an emphasis on the New Evangelization—from the Pontifical College Josephinum, and a Master of Nonprofit Administration from Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Shanks has dedicated his career to strengthening Catholic organizations and ministries. As past president of the OSV Institute, he created a platform for Catholic entrepreneurs to share and fund innovative ideas. He served as CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, where he successfully merged five county-based social service agencies into a single regional organization, earning him Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 recognition in 2014. He has also held leadership roles with the Diocese of Toledo and co-founded Catholic Youth Summer Camp in the Diocese of Columbus. Additionally, he has served on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee of Religious Liberty and the Executive Committee for the National Eucharistic Revival.
After fighting a six-week battle with COVID-19 that left him intubated and sedated, Shanks and his wife, Melissa, were named Catholics of the Year in 2021 by OSV for their faith and resilience. He was again recognized as one of the Catholics of the Year in 2024 for his leadership in organizing the National Eucharistic Congress.
Honorary Degree Recipient Donald F. Schenkel
Schenkel, former president of Northeast Indiana Bank Holding Corporation and later chairman and CEO of Tower Financial Corporation, has played a pivotal role in shaping both the financial sector and higher education in the region. A longtime supporter of Saint Francis, Schenkel first served on a university board committee before becoming a trustee in 1998, helping guide the institution through key milestones, including the acquisition of the Lutheran College for Health Professions, the transition from Saint Francis College to the University of Saint Francis and the launch of the region’s first collegiate football team. After his tenure on the Board of Trustees, he continued his service as Saint Francis’s vice president for university relations, securing grants for various initiatives.
Schenkel remains actively engaged with the university, most recently contributing to the Renew 2028 strategic planning process. His commitment to Saint Francis and the broader community exemplifies the values of leadership and service.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,800 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.