Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, was named the 23rd president of Marquette University Tuesday, Aug. 31. He will assume his duties in summer 2011, succeeding the Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., who announced in March that he would retire next year after 15 years as Marquette president.

Rev. Pilarz was unanimously elected at a special board meeting of the Marquette Board of Trustees Tuesday.

In a memo to the University community Tuesday, Father Pilarz called his time serving as the 24^th president of The University of Scranton “the most privileged of my Jesuit life.”

“While I look forward to the challenge of a new position, I must admit that leaving this place, leaving our wonderful community will not be easy,” he added.

Father Pilarz will remain at Scranton until he begins his new position next summer.

For more information on Father Pilarz’s recent announcement, please see the University’s full release at http://matrix.scranton.edu/news/articles/2010/08/Fr-Pilarz-Marquette-University.shtml or the president’s memo to the University community at http://matrix.scranton.edu/news/articles/2010/08/Memo-Fr-Pilarz.shtml.