St. Thomas Gateway Lights-up Campus and City

A multitude of colors lit the four-story glass seal at the center of the St. Thomas Gateway at an event celebrating the project’s completion.
Hundreds of students, alumni and area residents gathered for the first lighting ceremony of The University of Scranton’s newly completed St. Thomas Gateway.
Hundreds of students, alumni and area residents gathered for the first lighting ceremony of The University of Scranton’s newly completed St. Thomas Gateway.

“In 1888, the founder of the University, Bishop O’Hara, hoped that the University would quote ‘Light up this valley with the fires of learning.’ This gateway will literally light up the valley,” said University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., of the St. Thomas Gateway at the first lighting ceremony of the newly renovated façade.

Following a prayer and blessing of the Gateway façade, which features a lit glass wall etched with the University’s seal that spans the center of the four-story hall, Father Pilarz launched a demonstration that showcased some of the lighting capabilities the design.

Also speaking at the ceremony were: Fahad Ashraf, Clarks Summit, Student Government president, who is a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and its undergraduate Honors Program; and Casey Welby, Dunmore, Student Government chief-of-staff, who is a classical languages and history double major and member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program. Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry, assisted with the blessing.

The St. Thomas Gateway is key entry way to campus for many prospective students and their families and can be seen for blocks from downtown Scranton. The renovation of the facade layers the region’s distinctive West Mountain stone with granite quarried from the same site as the stone used in 1867 to construct the Scranton Estate on campus. The base of the Gateway includes a wood trellis, a wall carved with The University of Scranton’s name and a stone bench for seating. At the top of the Gateway, a cross rises above the left side of the building. The center glass wall will be lit in evenings to accentuate the image of the University’s seal.

Hemmler + Camayd designed the updated St. Thomas Gateway. A.J. Guzzi General Contractors, Inc., served as the construction manager for the project.

  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
  • alt placeholder
Back to Top