President Delivers State of the University Address

University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. encouraged faculty and staff to be “attentive to the grace and goodness that surrounds us” in his State of the University address at the Spring Convocation, which took place in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center on Jan. 31. Also at the convocation, Sursum Corda Awards were presented to staff members. In addition, new staff members who joined the University between Feb. 1, 2018, and Jan. 31, 2019, were recognized.

Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Awards recognize members of the University’s professional/paraprofessional staff, clerical/technical staff and maintenance/public safety staff who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University. This year’s recipients were: Maureen Castaldi, manager of database management services; Jane Johnson, associate director of intramurals and recreational sports; Kevin Rude, University Police investigator; and Tara Seely, administrative assistant to the Board of Trustees.

“The pace of our lives in general, and especially here at the University, can sometimes preclude us from appreciating the many ways in which we are so blessed with incomparable colleagues and the work we are blessed to do together. Of course, we celebrate four such colleagues today – our Sursum Corda Award winners” said Father Pilarz.

In his address, Father Pilarz also said the University is blessed with a “Spirit of Innovation” on campus that will serve us well as we look toward our future.

“We do not have the luxury of resting on our endowment, but must instead do the hard work of providing a truly exceptional education within limited means,” said Father Pilarz.

In addition to new programs introduced, Father Pilarz mentioned the “innovative work” of the faculty-led humanities initiative and the evolution of the Humanities Center that he announced in September. Father Pilarz said the “work of the faculty is nothing short of inspiring. With limited resources, they have planned and executed programs and events that have already reminded us of the centrality of the liberal arts in Catholic and Jesuit education.”

Referencing the delicate balance between stewarding resources and delivering a transformational education experience to our students, Father Pilarz said, “Here at Scranton we walk that tightrope with good grace and the confidence that we are building a University where God’s will can be discovered and done.”