Rev. Joseph Allan Panuska, S.J., The University of Scranton’s 22nd President Timeline
Rev. William J. Byron, S.J. hands the University’s mace to his successor, The University of Scranton’s 22nd President Rev. Joseph Allan Panuska, S.J., at his inauguration in 1982.
1982: Rev. Joseph Allan Panuska, S.J., becomes the 22nd president of the University of Scranton and its ninth Jesuit president.
1983: Rock Hall, home of Madonna della Strada Chapel, is dedicated after the purchase and renovation of a former church.
1984: Fitzpatrick Field is dedicated, providing the University’s first athletic grounds.
1985: Sees the completion of his first major addition to the University’s physical plant: Francis and Elizabeth Redington Hall, the University’s first suite-style residence.
1986: The Byron Recreational Complex, his next major addition to the physical plant, is dedicated. The Houlihan-McLean Center follows.
1987: Campion Hall, the Jesuit residence, is completed and paid for by the Jesuits as a sign of their continuing commitment to the University. The Harper-McGinnis Wing of the physics department and the Smurfit Arts Center (a former church), are dedicated, and the Loyola Hall of Science is renovated.
1988: The Kathryn and Bernard Hyland Hall classroom building and former home of the university bookstore opens. The Center for Eastern Christian Studies is dedicated. Metanoia, the Transformation of St. Ignatius Centennial Fountain, arrives on campus.
1989: Gavigan Hall, a 240-student residence hall also known as Gavigan College, or a college within a college, is built. A highly selective residence hall modeled after the academic/residential arrangements in place at Oxford College in England, the building was a pioneering concept for the University.
1991: McCormick, Gannon and Lavis halls become part of a residential complex for freshmen. A Campus Communications Network is developed, and Poli-Hi Solidur Park and DeNaples Fields are dedicated.
1992: Sees through to completion the five-story, 70-000-square-foot Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library.
1993: The McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts, with its main theater modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, is completed. The Roche Wellness Center is dedicated, and the Gunster Student Center gets expanded dining facilities and a student activities center.
1995: The Parking and Public Safety Pavilion is erected.
1996: The Institute for Molecular Biology and Medicine is dedicated.
1997: Fitzpatrick Field receives renovations in the form of lights and an artificial playing surface.
1998: McGurrin Hall, a classroom building, opens.
1998: Celebrates 50 years as a Jesuit. Retires as president of The University of Scranton. Becomes rector of the Jesuit community at the St. Isaac Jogues Community, the mother house of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, in Wernersville.
1998: In recognition of his service, the Board of Trustees names Father Panuska the University’s first President Emeritus and renamed one of the University’s colleges in his honor — the J.A. Panuska, S.J., College of Professional Studies.
2004 - 2008: Father Panuska returns to The University of Scranton’s Campus Ministry Office, devoting particular attention to providing spiritual direction and programming for University staff.
