Pilarz to resign as Marquette University president

Marquette University President, Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., has informed the Marquette University Board of Trustees of his resignation in order to pursue new apostolic work, according to Board Chair Charles Swoboda.
Pilarz informed the Board of Trustees of his resignation now to allow the university to begin its search to have a new president in place for the 2014-15 academic year. He will stay on as university president through the end of the first semester of the 2013-14 academic year, which ends on Dec. 14. Marquette will begin the search process for a new permanent president immediately. Pilarz said, “After 10 years as a university president, I believe the time has come to consider other apostolic opportunities for me as a Jesuit priest. I have made this decision after much prayer, discernment and conversation with religious superiors, my spiritual director and others whose counsel I have sought over the past three years.” Swoboda, a 1989 graduate of Marquette University and a member of the Board of Trustees for the past nine years, will lead the university in its transition planning. He is also president, chief executive officer and chairman of Cree Inc. Swoboda referenced Pilarz’s accomplishments in guiding Marquette into a newly reconfigured Big East Conference, completing a successful search process and hiring a dean for Marquette’s largest college, the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, and collaborating across campus with faculty, staff and students to develop a university-wide strategic plan. He also noted the recent announcements of significant renovations for the university’s historic core buildings of Johnston Hall, Marquette Hall and Sensenbrenner Hall, as well as the School of Dentistry. “We thank Father Pilarz for his accomplishments and dedication to Marquette, its faculty and most of all, its students,” said Swoboda. “I take immense pride and responsibility for ensuring the mission and innovative spirit of our Catholic, Jesuit tradition continues well into the future. As chair of our board, I assure you that I will work closely with our Board of Trustees and university leadership to map out a transition plan for our future success.”