Campus Gateway Named in Honor of Class of 2020
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, announced that the recently renovated façade of St. Thomas Hall will be named the Class of 2020 Gateway in honor of the character shown by members of the class throughout the pandemic. He made the announcement at a virtual ceremony celebrating the University’s undergraduate class of 2020 that aired on May 31.University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., announced at its virtual celebration for its undergraduate class of 2020 that the recently renovated façade of St. Thomas Hall will be named the Class of 2020 Gateway in honor of the character shown by members of the class throughout the pandemic.
“I can’t say how much my heart goes out to you, to miss your last months of college is heart wrenching and I am saddened by this state of affairs, as I know we all are,” said Father Pilarz in his remarks at the virtual ceremony. “(A)dversity does not build character. Adversity reveals character, and you have revealed your character in all of the things that have marred your college experience. … Because of your diligence and perseverance and special, very special character and devotion to one another and to The University of Scranton, I am pleased to announce that what we have previously called St. Thomas Gateway, will now be the Class of 2020 Gateway. It’s a fitting way to remember always, what you’ve revealed about yourself in these difficult times.”
At the virtual undergraduate celebration, which aired on May 31, the University conferred Bachelor’s degrees to more than 875 graduates as a group. The University plans to announce the graduates individually at a formal Oct. 25 commencement ceremony.
The Class of 2020 Gateway features include: a lit glass wall etched with the seal of The University of Scranton that spans the center of the four-story west façade of St. Thomas Hall; 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; a wood trellis; a wall carved with The University of Scranton’s name; a stone bench for seating; and an iconic cross that rises above the left side of the building. The renovation of the façade was completed in Feb. 2020 and originally called the St. Thomas Gateway.
The University illuminated special tribute to its Class of 2020 on the gateway evenings from May 26 through May 31.
An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen here.
