About Father Pilarz
Reverend Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. ’H15 (1959-2021)
President of The University of Scranton: 2003-2011, 2018-2021
Raised in South Voorhees Township, NJ, a suburb of Camden and Philadelphia, Scott Ronald Pilarz, a graduate of Camden Catholic High School, received his baccalaureate degree in English from Georgetown University in 1981 before entering the Society of Jesus later that year. During the course of his training as a Jesuit, Father Pilarz obtained three master’s degrees before his ordination to the priesthood in 1992 — one from Fordham University in philosophy and two from the Weston School of Theology in theology and divinity. He would go on to complete his Ph.D. in English at the City University of New York. After two years as a faculty member at St. Joseph’s University, Father Pilarz returned to his alma mater Georgetown in 1996. For the following seven years, he would serve as a professor of English and eventually as University Chaplain. In addition to winning awards for his excellence in the classroom, Father Pilarz was instrumental in reviving the tradition of a live mascot at Georgetown, a bulldog named “John P. Carroll," familiarly known as “Jack,” whom he took under his care. When Father Pialrz was chosen as The University of Scranton’s 24th President in 2003, “Jack” retired as Georgetown’s mascot so that he could accompany Father Pilarz to Scranton. They shared quarters in a counselor’s suite in one of the student residences throughout his presidency.
Under Father Pilarz’s direction, the expansion of the University’s physical plant that began under his last two predecessors continued at an even faster pace, including the construction of several large structures that dramatically changed the face of campus. In 2008, the $35 million DeNaples Campus Center replaced the original student center built nearly a half-century earlier whose demolition made room for a large green space in the center of campus. Construction of the $95 million Loyola Science Center, the single largest building ever built by the University, was nearly completed at the end of Father Pilarz’s presidency. Additionally, two student residence halls were constructed on Mulberry Street, across from the DeNaples Center, one of which was named Pilarz Hall when it was dedicated in 2012. All of this was made possible through the largest capital campaign in the University’s history, Pride, Passion, Promise-Shaping Our Jesuit Tradition, whose initial goal of $125 million would be surpassed by over $10 million in additional gifts.
No matter how crowded his schedule as an administrator, Father Pilarz always found time to remain in the classroom. Every semester he would offer at least one course in 16th-century British literature or Renaissance poetry, allowing him to interact directly with students as an instructor and counselor. His students were often awed by the breadth of Fr. Pilarz’s interests ranging from the poetry of the Jesuit Robert Southwell to the music of Bruce Springsteen.
In August 2010, Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, announced that Father Pilarz, a member of their Board of Trustees, had been selected to succeed their retiring president as of July 2011. Father Pilarz served as President at Marquette until December 2013, shortly after which he accepted an appointment as President of Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, MD. In May 2015, Father Pilarz returned to The University of Scranton to accept an honorary doctorate in humane letters and to give the commencement address.
On March 21, 2017, The University of Scranton announced that Father Pilarz would return to Scranton to succeed Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. as the 27th University President. Due to existing commitments at Georgetown Prep, Father Pilarz did not assume the presidency until July 1, 2018.
On March 10, 2021, Father Pilarz passed away in Scranton from complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
To learn more about Father Pilarz, visit his memorial website Remembering Father Pilarz and see the April 2021 issue of the Scranton Journal with a special section on Father Pilarz, 'a pastor and teacher to the end.'
Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. Timeline
Student Tribute to Father Pilarz
About the Exhibit
Pride, Passion, Promise continues and builds upon an exhibit on view from February 21 to April 23, 2023, in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library at The University of Scranton. The physical exhibit was curated by Special Collections Librarian and Professor Michael Knies with assistance from Digital Services Assistant David Hunisch, Special Collections Assistant Bridget Conlogue, Assistant to the Dean of the Library Kym Fetsko, and Assistant Professor Colleen Farry. The digital exhibit team included Prof. Farry, David Hunisch, and Systems Specialist III & Digital Services Web Developer Jennifer Galas.
Resources for the exhibit came from the University Archives and the Terry and Paula Connors Photograph Collection. Additional materials from the archives on Father Pilarz and the University’s history can be found in the Library’s digital collections.
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