Obituary

March 10, 2021

Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. ’H15, President of The �Ӱ�ԭ��, passed away Wednesday, March 10, in Scranton from complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 61.

Father Pilarz served as Scranton’s President for two terms: first as the 24th President from 2003-2011; then as the 27th President from 2018-2021. He was the second-longest- serving President in Scranton’s history. He announced his ALS diagnosis in 2018, committing himself to continued service and to raising awareness about the disease.

During Father Pilarz’s second tenure as President at Scranton, he leveraged the �Ӱ�ԭ��’s strengths and responsibilities as a Jesuit and Catholic institution to be a source for understanding and positive change in the community and the wider world. He marshaled resources in response to the national call to action against systemic racism, and formed the Task Force on Healing, Reconciliation and Hope as part of the �Ӱ�ԭ��’s response to the sexual abuse crisis facing the Church. He also established the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities and supported the humanities generally at the �Ӱ�ԭ�� to further advance the liberal arts tradition that is at the core of Jesuit education.

Under his leadership, the �Ӱ�ԭ�� developed and adopted the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, which includes goals focused on diversity and inclusion, and the humanities. He also led the �Ӱ�ԭ��’s fundraising efforts to strengthen scholarship endowments to keep Scranton accessible to students and families, and strongly supported efforts to ensure the health and future vitality of Scranton’s Catholic and Jesuit mission and identity.

Most recently, Father Pilarz calmly and competently guided the �Ӱ�ԭ��’s response to the pandemic, focusing steadfastly on the school’s sacred mission to provide students with a transformational Catholic and Jesuit education. He brought students back to campus during the fall and spring semesters of the 2020-2021 academic year, ensuring extensive health and safety protocols were in place to protect all members of the �Ӱ�ԭ�� community. Throughout the pandemic, he shared his love and support for the �Ӱ�ԭ�� community through pastoral messages of courage, hope and even humor, including classic reflections on campus Christmas tree challenges.

During Father Pilarz’s first term as President, the �Ӱ�ԭ�� earned national recognition for academic quality, community engagement and student success, achieving then record admissions and undertaking the largest construction projects in its history. He expanded international mission and service opportunities and programs to enhance its Catholic and Jesuit identity. The �Ӱ�ԭ�� also earned the highly selective Community Engagement Classification designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Guided by a 2005-2010 Strategic Plan – Pride, Passion, Promise: Shaping Our Jesuit Tradition, Father Pilarz was instrumental in planning and securing resources for transformational capital projects that included the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center; the Christopher and Margaret Condron Hall; the John and Jacquelyn Dionne Campus Green; the expansion of the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake, Montrone Hall and the building named in his honor, Pilarz Hall, on Mulberry Street; and the Loyola Science Center.

Father Pilarz’s other accomplishments as Scranton’s 24th President included dedicated support for research by new faculty, and establishing the President’s Colloquy for Presidential Scholars and five endowed chairs to attract top scholars. The �Ӱ�ԭ��’s progress was supported by the Pride, Passion, Promise Campaign, the most ambitious capital campaign in the �Ӱ�ԭ��’s history, which surpassed its $125 million fundraising goal.

Prior to Father Pilarz returning to Scranton for his second term as President, he served as President of Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., from 2014 to 2018. His accomplishments at Georgetown Prep included leading the community in a celebration of the 225th anniversary of its founding, guiding the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, and working to secure the largest gift in the school’s history.

During his service as President of Marquette �Ӱ�ԭ�� in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 2011 to 2013, he spearheaded a strategic planning process and also guided the school into the newly configured Big East athletic conference.

Always a teacher at heart, he found time during his various administrative positions to teach courses and seminars focused on Shakespeare, Renaissance poetry and prose, and Jesuit education.

Earlier in his career, he served as an Assistant Professor of English and Interim �Ӱ�ԭ�� Chaplain at Georgetown �Ӱ�ԭ��, where he worked on numerous committees and leadership roles for various academic and spiritual programs, and retreats for students and alumni. During his Jesuit formation, he was a visiting professor at St. Joseph’s �Ӱ�ԭ��, a lecturer in philosophy at Sts. Peter & Paul Seminary at the �Ӱ�ԭ�� of Ibadan, Nigeria, and an English teacher at Loyola High School, Towson, Maryland.

Throughout his Jesuit service as a researcher, teacher and administrator, he shared his deep love of poetry with all, frequently including quotes from favorite poets in speeches and talks. At The �Ӱ�ԭ��, he selected a quotation from the poet who was the subject of his research, St. Robert Southwell, S.J., to be etched above a prominent entrance to the DeNaples Center. It reads: “Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.” Father Pilarz chose that same quote as the theme of his second Inauguration at Scranton, capturing a feeling toward the school and its sense of community that he had in common with the entire Scranton family.

The leadership skill of Father Pilarz was recognized through his inclusion among the 38 successful individuals profiled by Ronald Shapiro in The New York Times bestseller Dare to Prepare: How to Win Before You Begin. As a scholar, Father Pilarz delivered numerous papers at scholarly conferences on various aspects of medieval and Renaissance literature. He also lectured and published on topics related to Jesuit education. His book, Robert Southwell, S.J., and the Mission of Literature 1561-1595: Writing Reconciliation, was published by Ashgate Press. He was a professional member of numerous scholarly and academic societies including the Renaissance Society of America, Shakespeare Association of America, John Donne Society and Modern Language Association.

He received multiple awards for teaching, service and scholarship, including the John Carroll Award from Georgetown �Ӱ�ԭ�� for lifetime achievement, the highest honor bestowed by the Georgetown �Ӱ�ԭ�� Alumni Association. He received the Ignatian Award from Scranton Preparatory School, and was awarded honorary degrees from King’s College, Wilkes �Ӱ�ԭ��, Marywood �Ӱ�ԭ�� and The �Ӱ�ԭ��. He served on the board of trustees of several institutions, including Boston College and Saint Joseph’s �Ӱ�ԭ��, and as President of the board of his alma mater, Camden Catholic High School.

A proud Polish son of New Jersey and an avid dog lover, Father Pilarz earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown �Ӱ�ԭ��, winning three Saint Genevieve Awards for his acting and directing; a master’s degree in philosophy from Fordham �Ӱ�ԭ��; and a master’s degree in divinity from the Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned a Ph.D. in English at the City �Ӱ�ԭ�� of New York. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1981, and was ordained a priest in 1992.

A devoted son, brother and uncle, Father Pilarz is survived by his parents, Ron and Joan Pilarz, a sister, Susan, and brother-in-law, Joseph Lappin, Lewisville, Texas, a niece, Carly, nephew, Joey, and grandniece, Marin.

A walk-by viewing for students, faculty and staff will be held in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus on Friday, March 12, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The viewing will be open to the general public as well from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A private Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 13. The Mass will be available for viewing online.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. Scholarship that will provide financial assistance to �Ӱ�ԭ�� students in need. Contributions can be mailed to The Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Scholarship care of: �Ӱ�ԭ�� Advancement, The �Ӱ�ԭ��, 800 Linden St., Scranton,18510. Contributions can also be made online.

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Remembering Father Pilarz

Obituary

March 10, 2021