Professor Emeritus, University Historian Pledges $100,000 to Humanities Initiative
Francis X.J. Homer ’64, professor emeritus of history, University historian and
Interested in promoting the study of the humanities — culture, history, language, literature, philosophy, religion — at the University, a group of faculty started the initiative in fall 2017 with support from the College of Arts and Sciences dean. In promoting the humanities, the departments seek to improve the quality of the co-curricular education for the larger student body and to increase the number of students studying the humanities. The supporters on campus plan to do this by enriching the culture of the humanities, promoting interdisciplinary inquiry and research among faculty and students, and fostering civic engagement and collaboration with the larger community.
In announcing his gift, Homer said, “I am deeply grateful to Father Scott Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, for his endorsement and commitment to our Humanities Initiative, which serves our broad community.” Homer’s hope is that this gift will increase the quality of this innovative program and the opportunities it offers for all future generations of Scranton students.
When he arrived as a student, Homer said, he was struck by the tremendous philanthropy of those who helped build this University. “Whether it was the generous gift of Scranton Hall, by the Scranton Family, or Elizabeth B. (Betty) Redington’s endowment for scholarships, it was the generosity of philanthropists giving for education,” he said. “That’s why today The University of Scranton is such a great institution of higher learning.”
Homer also remembered The University of Scranton in his estate plan and said he hopes the humanities will be the future heart of this University, enabling students to achieve greatness because of their ability to think, create
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