But Scanlan turned that around by taking the school from the brink of bankruptcy into financial stability.

"We were on a national list of colleges expected to close by 1980. There were only 12 of us listed and the other 11 all closed," Scanlan said.

When he became president in 1974, there was even a For Sale sign up.

"When I met with the nominating committee, they said, 'What will you do if we elect you president?' And I said, 'I don't know, but I tell you I know what God wants' … and I laid out this plan," he said.

His plan included ideas like building things like community, spirituality and theology -- and being truly Franciscan in their approach.

Since that time, Scanlan has brought monumental figures to the area like Mother Theresa, who gave a commencement speech at St. John's Arena in 1976. He also gave Pope John Paul II his only honorary doctorate.

But one of his most memorable achievements didn't just affect the school, but the entire local community. During the Civil Rights era, threats were made to burn the cities of Weirton and Steubenville.

"That's when the mayor of Steubenville -- who knew that I was into studying this -- came to me in my office and said, 'I want you to take over,'" he said.

A broken window turned out to be the only destruction, and Scanlan later went on to help integrate all recreational activities in Steubenville.

The university will honor Scanlan for his 50 years as a professed Franciscan and his many achievements on Oct. 17 at Finnegan Fieldhouse.

A Mass of thanksgiving will take place at 4 p.m., followed by a gala dinner at 5:30 p.m.

The cost is $50 per person and benefits the Father Michael Scanlan Scholarship Fund. An optional $75 fee covers the cost of attending talks from 2-4 p.m.