University of Scranton

The University of Scranton is a private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit university, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States, in the northeast region of the state. The school was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. It was elevated to university status in 1938, taking the name the University of Scranton. The institution was operated by the Diocese of Scranton, and later the Lasallian Christian Brothers, from 1888 to 1942. In 1942, Bishop William Joseph Hafey invited the Society of Jesus to take charge of the university. Today, The University of Scranton is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is served by the Scranton Jesuit Community.

The university is composed of four colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Kania School of Management, The Panuska College of Professional Studies, and The College of Graduate and Continuing Education (a recent merger of the Graduate School and The Dexter Hanley College).

Areas of academic study
The university grants undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) in 57 majors. Students may also utilize many pre-professional concentrations, such as pre-medical, pre-law, and pre-dental. The university also has an Honors Program, and the SJLA (Special Jesuit Liberal Arts) Program in which select students complete courses in moral philosophy, ethics, theology, and the humanities in addition to their normal course load.

The university also grants graduate degrees (Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Health Administration, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Education) in 24 fields, among them Accounting, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Computing Sciences, Counseling and Human Services, Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Administration, Elementary and Special Education, Health Administration, Human Resources, Nursing, Software Engineering, and Theology. The university also offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Curriculum
The university offers a liberal arts program. Students are required to take the core courses in public speaking, computer literacy and composition. Students are also required to take two theology courses, two philosophy courses, as well as an elective in one of these two areas. Filling out the general education requirements are 6 credits in science courses, 6 credits in writing intensive courses, 6 credits in cultural diversity courses, 3 credits in a mathematics course, 12 credits in humanities courses and 3 credits in physical education.

Ranking
The university has received accolades from in a number of national publications including the Princeton Review, Kaplan's Publishing, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. For 16 consecutive years, beginning in 1994, The University of Scranton has been ranked in the top 10 schools in U.S. News & World Report's rankings of the Best Master's Universities-North. In the 2010 edition, Scranton was named as one of 77 universities nationally on the "Up and Coming List" (fourth in the north) and one of 80 nationally recognized for "A Strong Commitment to Teaching" (third in the north). The Princeton Review has named the university to its annual “The 371 Best Colleges," from 2002 to its most recent list in 2011. A combined 2008 Newsweek/Kaplan college guide also named The University of Scranton as one of the United States' “372 Most Interesting Schools” for the second straight year. The University of Scranton was in the top 50 of universities listed in Kiplinger’s “Best Values in Private Colleges.” In 2011 The Huffington Post recognized The University of Scranton as the sixth friendliest school in the United States.

Retreat center at Chapman Lake
Retreats offered at Chapman Lake are usually offered and run by staff and students from The University of Scranton's Office of University Ministries. They are very popular with the student body and are usually held several times a year, with around 40 students participating at a time. The Freshman Retreat and the Search Retreats are among the most popular and are held multiple times each semester. The Senior Retreat is usually held once a year during the Spring Semester for graduating seniors.

Student housing
The university has 13 traditional residences, housing mostly for freshmen. Christopher and Margaret Condron Hall (2008), Francis E. Redington Hall, and John R. Gavigan Hall provide housing for upperclassmen students. The university owns over 20 additional houses and apartment buildings in the areas surrounding the campus, offering over 30 housing options for students, including Mulberry Plaza and Madison Square, two townhouse-style complexes featuring air conditioning, full kitchens, living areas and bedrooms.

Athletics
Scranton athletes compete at the NCAA Division III. In 2007, Scranton joined the newly formed Landmark Conference, which ended a long history with the Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference.

The school offers 18 varsity sports and has won national championships in Men's Basketball in 1976 and 1983 and Women's Basketball in 1985. The university's basketball teams play at the John Long Center located in the heart of the campus. The university's soccer and field hockey teams play at Fitzpatrick Field, also on campus.

In February 2012, the university fully acquired the South Side Sports Complex in Scranton. The complex will be converted into NCAA-regulation fields for soccer, baseball, and softball. The complex will also include a child's play area and public basketball courts.

The University of Scranton alma mater
The hours too quickly slip away And mingle into years But memories of our Scranton days will last Whatever next appears. The legacy from those before Is briefly ours to hold, We leave the best behind for others As the coming years unfold.

With faith in lives that touch us here And paths that ours have crossed We know that reaching for the rising sun Is surely worth the cost. May God be ever at our side, May goodness fill our days. We hail as loving sons and daughters Alma mater ours always.

History of the Student Senate
The Student Senate came about in the spring semester of 2002 with the ratification of its Constitution. On May 3, 2002 the first Student Senate meeting was held in the Office of Student Activities. Today, the Student Senate assembles for regular sessions on a biweekly basis and for emergency sessions as necessary.

The Student Senate is the main avenue of governance for the students. The Student Senate deals with pertinent issues that affect the day-to-day lives of students at The University of Scranton. The Senate is chaired by the Vice-President of Student Government who votes only in the case of a tie. The other Executive members of Student Government are the President, a nonvoting member with veto authority, as well as the Secretary and Treasurer, both non-voting members. The body of the Student Senate is made up of the non-voting executive positions, and four equal representatives from each class, two commuter representatives, two off-campus representatives, and two resident representatives for a total of 26 members, 22 of which have voting rights.

There are four standing committees formed out of the Senate: Safety and Crime Prevention, Student Life and Dining Services, Academic Affairs, and Appropriations. Proposed legislation is sent to the appropriate committee for research and development at the discretion of the Chair. The Executive Treasurer advises the Appropriations Committee; a Senator appointed by the Executive Council chairs each of the committees.

Future of the university
On April 26, 2008, the university held a public launch its new fundraising campaign. The campaign includes the DeNaples Center, Condron Hall, renovations to the Estate as a new home for admissions and the development of a new science facility. The building, now known as the Loyola Science Center, is in the planning stages with a tentative construction start date in Spring 2009 (according to October 2007 Provost's Report). Other campaign priorities include building endowment for financial aid, scholarships and faculty development and growing support in annual giving.

On October 26, 2009, the university began construction on a new science/humanities facility, the Loyola Science Center.

On May 6, 2010, the university announced plans to build a new apartment style Residence Hall with a food option as well as a new fitness facility on the first floor. This will be located across the street from the DeNaples Center on the 900 block of Mulberry Street.

On August 30, 2010, President Scott Pilarz, S.J. announced that he would leave the university at the end of the academic year to become the president of Marquette University.

On December 15, 2010, Christopher "Kip" Condron announced that Kevin Quinn, S.J. would become the 25th President of the University of Scranton. Quinn is originally from New York, a graduate of Fordham University and was, prior to his appointment, the executive director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara University, where he was also a professor of law.

On May 11, 2011 it was announced that the West building of the new Mulberry Street Complex will be named "Pilarz Hall" in honor of outgoing president Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J. It was dedicated on November 11, 2011. Similarly, the east Mulberry Street Complex building was dedicated on December 1, 2011 as Montrone Hall, in honor of Sandra H'03 and Paul Montrone '62, H'86.

University of Scranton Presidents
List of Presidents since elevation to University status in 1938:
 * Br. Denis Edward, F.S.C. - 1931 - 1940
 * Br. Eliseus Leonard, F.S.C. - 1940 - 1942
 * Dr. Frank J. O'Hara, LL.D. (acting) - 1942
 * Very Rev. W. Coleman Nevils, S.J. - 1942 - 1947
 * Rev. J. Eugene Gallery, S.J. - 1947 - 1953
 * Very Rev. John J. Long, S.J. - 1953 - 1963
 * Rev. Edward J. Sponga, S.J. - 1963 - 1965
 * Rev. Aloysius C. Galvin, S.J. - 1965 - 1970
 * Rev. Joseph A. Rock, S.J. (acting) - 1970
 * Rev. Dexter L. Hanley, S.J., J.D. - 1970 - 1975
 * Rev. Edwin A. Quain, S.J. (acting) - 1975
 * Rev. William J. Byron, S.J., Ph.D. - 1975 - 1982
 * Rev. Joseph Allen (J.A.) Panuska, S.J., Ph.D - July 1982 - 1998
 * Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., Ph.D. - 1998 - 2003
 * Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Ph.D. - July 1, 2003 - July 1, 2011
 * Rev. Kevin Quinn, S.J., J.D., Ph.D. - July 1, 2011 - present

Notable University of Scranton Alumni

 * James Donald Walsh - Diplomat and foreign service officer, United States Ambassador to Argentina 2000-2003
 * Walter Bobbie - Tony winning Broadway Director Chicago, and actor ''Grease'.
 * Patrick J. Boland - U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania and Majority Whip
 * Christopher F. Burne - U.S. Air Force Brigadier General
 * John D. Butzner, Jr. - former United States federal judge - United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
 * Nestor Chylak - Baseball Hall of Famer and American League umpire from 1954–1978
 * Christopher "Kip" Condron - President and CEO of AXA
 * Timothy Edward Connolly - Rear Tire Changer for NASCAR driver Tony Stewart
 * Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, M.D.  - Former Surgeon General of the United States Army
 * Lt. Gen. John J. Cusick - Former Quartermaster General of the United States Army
 * Kathleen Kane (B.S. 1988) - Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney (1995-2007), Pennsylvania Attorney General-elect
 * Sean Kearney - Former head coach of men's basketball at College of the Holy Cross
 * Jack Keeney (1947) - Longest serving federal prosecutor in U.S. history.
 * Ralph Lomma - Inventor of mini-golf, original designers of windmills, castles, churches
 * Thom Loverro - Sports journalist, author, and radio personality
 * Malachy E. Mannion - United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
 * Kalanithi Maran - founder and Chairman of Sun Network, one of India's largest media houses, majority owner of SpiceJet Airways Private Limited
 * Jason Miller - late film actor; Academy Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright (That Championship Season), best known for playing Father Damien in The Exorcist
 * Sen. Bob Smith - Democratic New Jersey State Senator representing NJ's 17th Legislative District
 * Patrick Barnitt - stage and film actor (Star Trek: First Contact); jazz singer
 * Susan Swain - Co-CEO C-SPAN

Notable University of Scranton faculty

 * James A. Martin, S.J. - former chairperson of the Department of Theology (1946–1949); world's oldest Jesuit until his death in 2007 at the age of 105.

==Notable honorary degree recipients ==


 * William W. Scranton, former Governor of the Commonwealth.
 * Wycliffe Gordon, trombonist.
 * Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.
 * Tim Russert, former anchor of NBC's Meet the Press.
 * Avery Dulles, theologian.
 * John Joseph O'Connor, Cardinal Archbishop of New York.
 * Paul Sorvino, film director and actor.
 * Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
 * Bob Hope, actor and comedian.
 * Wynton Marsalis, trumpet player.
 * Mary Higgins Clark, author.
 * Joseph Biden, Former Democratic Senator from Delaware and current Vice President of the United States.
 * J. William Fulbright, senator and founder of Fulbright Fellowship Program.
 * Richard Harris, Irish actor.
 * Oscar Arias Sanchez, President of Costa Rica.
 * Helmut Schmidt, former Chancellor of West Germany.
 * Dick Thornburgh, former Pennsylvania governor and United States Attorney General

University of Scranton Press
The University of Scranton Press is a university press that is part of The University of Scranton. Its publications include books on religious and philosophical issues and local (Northeastern Pennsylvania) history, including coal mining. In the summer of 2010 the university announced that it was no longer accepting submissions for publication and would discontinue the Press after all current projects were completed.