SCRANTON, PA (06/04/2015)(readMedia)-- Jennifer L. Hurst of Davenport was among the more than 930 bachelor's and associate's degree recipients at its undergraduate commencement on May 31 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., the 24th president of The University of Scranton and current president of Georgetown Prep in Washington, D.C., served as the principal speaker. He received an honorary degree at the ceremony, as did University alumna Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D., '76, G'83, vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University, New Jersey. Graduates of the Jesuit university included two recipients of prestigious Fulbright scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Hurst earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources studies from The University of Scranton.
In an address peppered with quotes from rock stars and poets, Father Pilarz told graduates of the 'wisdom' their Jesuit education provides.
"I use the word wisdom quite deliberately when I am talking about the kind of education you have received here," said Father Pilarz, who used a scene from the 1980 film "Atlantic City" to illustrate the difference between "information" and "wisdom."
Father Pilarz also acknowledged the important role parents and faculty played in providing the graduates with the "precious gift" they have received: "the gift of a Catholic and Jesuit education at The University of Scranton."
"In their sacred work the faculty are released - and they release you - from 'straight lines, blocks, boxes and binds of thought' into a liberating appreciation of meaning, true significance and wisdom. In their sacred work, they point beyond themselves to the wisdom that life is best lived not in the promotion of self but generously in the service of others," said Father Pilarz.
Members of the Scranton's class of 2015 represent 16 states, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Undergraduate majors with the most graduates are biology, nursing, exercise science, health sciences - occupational therapy, psychology and accounting.
