Rev. Joseph Allan Panuska, S.J., former president of The University of Scranton, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Jesuit priest at a July 11 Mass and reception in his hometown of Baltimore, Md. 

Born in 1927, Rev. Panuska attended the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and later studied biology at the Jesuit-run Loyola College in Baltimore. In 1948, he joined the Society of Jesus, and later continued his education at St. Louis University, where he received a licentiate in philosophy and a doctorate in biology. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1960 at Woodstock College in Maryland and also received a licentiate from Woodstock in 1961. Beginning in 1963, he taught biology at Georgetown University for 10 years and was the director of the Jesuit community. He then served as provincial of the seven-state Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus for six years. Afterward, he moved to Boston College in 1979, serving as academic vice-president and dean of faculties for three years. 

In July 1982, Rev. Panuska became the University's 22nd president, and led the Jesuit institution through June 1998. His 16 years as president is longest tenure of any president in the school’s history. He piloted the University through a significant physical expansion – leading to the construction of 15 new buildings – as well as a substantial increase in the number of faculty and an improvement in the University's reputation for academic excellence.

Currently, Rev. Panuska resides at the Colombiere Jesuit Community in Baltimore.