Bob Casey, Former U.S. Senator, Joins University of Scranton

Former U.S. Senator Bob Casey has joined The University of Scranton as a Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service, a role that will engage the Scrantonian and three-term senator across several aspects of campus life.

Sen. Casey, drawing on his experience from 18 years in the Senate and a decade in statewide positions, will mentor students, advise on relevant initiatives and broadly contribute to University activities aligned with public service and leadership.

Speaking Tuesday at an event announcing his hire, Sen. Casey said he is excited and grateful to provide students with a “real-world perspective” on government, policy, politics and elections. He also said he hopes to instill an appreciation for and understanding of public service in all students — not just those interested in politics.

“All of us together can provide opportunities for young people to learn about public service, to be inspired to serve,” Sen. Casey said. “It doesn’t have to be public office. It doesn’t have to be in government. Even if you’re running the biggest corporation in the world, you can still work on behalf of the public in some fashion.”

Born and raised in Scranton, Sen. Casey has dedicated his life to public service. He’s won six statewide elections, serving as Pennsylvania’s Auditor General for two terms (1997-2005) and State Treasurer for one term (2005-2007) before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. He remained in office until 2024-25.

“As difficult as it is and as onerous as it could be on the candidate or the public official, it is still a high calling,” Sen. Casey said. “We need the next generation — some of whom are in this room — of young people in the United States of America to choose to serve. They might choose to serve and have different points of view than I do, or other students might have. But just like the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service is already doing, I believe it’s critically important that young people are inspired and even taught that if you serve in public office, you have to do it ethically. You could have different points of view or a different philosophy, but everybody’s got to be ethical.”

Over the course of his 18 years in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Casey earned a reputation as an effective legislator known for his ability to work across party lines and focus on practical solutions. He authored and passed 99 pieces of legislation into law, including the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, widely recognized as the most impactful piece of legislation for people with disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities Act. As chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and a longtime member of the Finance and HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pension) Committees, Sen. Casey established himself as one of the leading advocates in Congress for children, workers, seniors and people with disabilities.

“I am truly delighted to welcome Senator Casey to our University,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. “His Jesuit education has served him well for decades and I have no doubt he will continue to bring his Jesuit values to bear in this exciting, new role. I am very grateful to the Senator and the Leahys for making this new initiative possible.”

The University of Scranton is a Catholic, Jesuit institution, guided by the spiritual and intellectual legacy of St. Ignatius, whose principles inform how the University teaches and serves. These principles, including magis (striving to do more and be greater) and cura personalis (care for each person), are familiar to Sen. Casey, who graduated from Jesuit institutions Scranton Preparatory High School and the College of the Holy Cross. He spent a year as a Jesuit volunteer, teaching and coaching in North Philadelphia, before earning a law degree from Catholic University.

“Public service is infused with Jesuit values,” Sen. Casey said. “I think we have to bring those values to the public square and try to move our society forward.”

In this part-time position, Sen. Casey will mentor and guide students interested in pursuing public service careers; advise the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service on program initiatives and share expertise with regional government entities through its outreach activities; and serve as a resource for the campus and the broader community on health care, aging, ethics, government accountability and public service issues through lectures and seminars. He will also assist University administrators with government relations and resource development efforts.

The Leahy Fellow is supported by Edward ’68, H’01 and Patricia Leahy. The longtime University benefactors are synonymous with service and achievement at The University of Scranton, which dedicated Edward R. Leahy Hall in 2015 in honor of their late son, Edward, Jr., and named the Leahy College of Health Sciences in their honor.

“I think this is a really important day — a ‘hallmark’ day, a ‘signal’ day, whatever you want to call it — in the life of this University,” Edward Leahy said. “Today, we celebrate the union of the values of a great, Jesuit University, joining with a leader with integrity who has embodied the principles of ethics in government.

“Our students, the entire University and the community at-large will have the opportunity to benefit from the programs, the advice, the discussions.”

The former Senator and his wife, Terese, reside just a few blocks from campus, having lived for the last 35 years in a house in the city’s Hill Section.

The 2025-26 academic year at The University of Scranton begins later this month with Move-in on Saturday, Aug. 23, followed by the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25.

For additional coverage of Sen. Casey's announcement, please visit: FOX 56, the Scranton Times-Tribune and WVIA.