April 17, 2025
Rev. David Griffin to Deliver Wheeling University Commencement Address
WHEELING, W.Va., April 17 – Reverend David Griffin, O.S.B., Wheeling University Director of Campus Ministry, will give the 2025 Commencement address.
Fr. Griffin, a Benedictine monk-priest from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has been selected to address the Class of 2025 during the 67th Commencement at Wheeling University. The ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 3, inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Additionally, the University will bestow on Fr. Griffin an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
This year, Wheeling University officials will present doctoral, graduate and undergraduate degrees to nearly 220 students.
“Wheeling University is honored to present Fr. David with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Fr. David has made a positive impact in the lives of our students and employees since he arrived in August,” said Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D., president of Wheeling University.
Fr. Griffin came to Wheeling University in August 2024 after having served 23 years in the Campus Ministry program at Penn State University. While at Penn State, he founded Mission Mexico, a student, Catholic mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. From 2002-2020, more than 300 Penn State students participated in this service project. Fr. Griffin also served as a faculty member, assistant headmaster and headmaster at the Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia. He later became the director of Campus Ministry at St. Vincent College. Fr. Griffin was ordained in May 1976.
“I am honored to participate in recognizing the achievements of the Class of 2025. Wheeling University’s mission is the benchmark for a well-balanced, Christ centered education for young men and women. Life, leadership and service are the Catholic principles that have been the foundation of this University since its founding in 1954. My remarks to the graduates will focus on those precepts,” said Fr. Griffin.