University Mission & Ministry
University Mission & Ministry seeks to assist all University of Scranton students, faculty and staff, regardless of creed, to become knowledgeable, committed, and active participants in their respective faith traditions. All are welcome - take a look at some of the possibilities!
Related Links
- Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities
- Company Online
- Education for Justice
- Society of Jesus in the United States
- Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni Club of NEPA
A Catholic and Jesuit University
Bishop William G. O’Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton.
Bishop William G. O’Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, had a vision of providing Catholic higher education for the people of his diocese. Bishop O’Hara’s vision turned to reality on August 12, 1888, with the dedication of St. Thomas College, now The University of Scranton. Originally, the College was housed on Wyoming Avenue next to the Cathedral Rectory. The three-story building was commonly known as “Old Main.”
In establishing St. Thomas College, Bishop O’Hara sought to provide a place where young men could enrich the business and profes¬sional life of Scranton and the surrounding area. He also envisaged the College as a place that would foster vocations – a vision that has been fulfilled for well over 100 years. The College’s first graduating class consisted of 62 men, including 12 seminarians. Today, it is estimated that at least half of the active priests of the Diocese of Scranton are alumni of The University of Scranton.
Old Main Street, now known as Wyoming Avenue, the original location of St. Thomas College.
St. Thomas College was renamed The University of Scranton in 1938 and was relocated from Wyoming Avenue to its current location in 1940 when Worthington Scranton donated his estate to the Diocese. Two years later, at the invitation of Bishop William Hafey, 18 Jesuits, led by Rev. Coleman Nevils, S.J., the newly appointed president, arrived on campus to administer the University. This late summer day of 1942 marked the convergence of Catholic and Jesuit education at Scranton.
The Jesuits restructured and strengthened Scranton’s traditional and pre-professional programs with an emphasis on the liberal arts, which are the foundation for every program at a Jesuit university.
The University has flourished under the Jesuits, growing from a primarily commuter school with fewer than 1,000 students to a broadly regional, comprehensive university with a total enrollment of more than 5,000 students in undergraduate, graduate and non-traditional programs. The academic quality, distinctive experience and value of a Scranton education consistently garner national recognition.
Jesuit Presidents of The University of Scranton
1942–1947
Rev. W. Coleman Nevils, S.J.
1947–1953
Rev. J. Eugene Gallery, S.J.
1953–1963
Rev. John J. Long, S.J.
1963–1965
Rev. Edward J. Sponga, S.J.
1965–1970
Rev. Aloysius C. Galvin, S.J.
1970
Rev. Joseph A. Rock, S.J. (acting)
1970–1975
Rev. Dexter L. Hanley, S.J.
1975
Rev. Edwin A. Quain, S.J. (acting)
1975–1982
Rev. William J. Byron, S.J.
1982–1998
Rev. J.A. Panuska, S.J.
1998–2003
Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.
2003–
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
