The University celebrated the Inauguration of its 29th president, Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., on Sept. 24 at the Byron Recreational Complex. The University named Fr. Marina as the incoming president in February 2021, following approval from the University’s Board of Trustees at the conclusion of a national search overseen by a broadly representative search committee that included trustees and representatives from the faculty, staff, student body, alumni and administration. He began his tenure on June 14, 2021, taking over for Jeffrey P. Gingerich, Ph.D., acting president and provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs.
“It has been my great privilege to serve as acting president, and I wish to thank you for your support and for your generous service to the University during this challenging period,” wrote Gingerich in a message to the University community in June. Gingerich took on the role of acting president after the passing of Scott. R. Pilarz, S.J., in March.
Among his first duties as president, Fr. Marina greeted incoming members of the University’s Class of 2025 and their families during Orientation.
Prior to becoming Scranton’s 29th president, Fr. Marina served as provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of education at Le Moyne College from 2016 through the spring of 2021.
Nearly 1,500 members of the University community and invited guests attended the ceremony, including representatives from more than 45 colleges and universities: Rev. Joseph M. O’Keefe, S.J., provincial of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus, who presented the Missioning of the President at the ceremony; Scranton’s Mayor Paige Cognetti, who provided greetings from the city; and Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., bishop of Scranton, who provided the Invocation, among others. Recorded greetings were given by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright and U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a Scranton native.
The Inauguration also featured the performance of an original work composed for the Inauguration by David Lantz III, titled “To the Ends of the Earth.”The Inauguration occurred during the Ignatian Year, the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.
Read the feature about Fr. Marina and his Inauguration, here.