Dear Father Pilarz:
I write this letter not only as a faculty member of the University of Scranton but also as a graduate. My wife and I both graduated from the University of Scranton with degrees in mathematics in 1988, the one hundredth year of the school. My grandfather, Frank DeAngelis, graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1938, the fiftieth year of the University. When he graduated he was given the option of having his diploma say either University of Scranton or Saint Thomas College. He proudly opted for the University of Scranton. As we all know the school known as Saint Thomas College was founded in 1888 and for most of its existence was run by the Christian Brothers. This school had as its primary focus the education of young men (we were not yet coeducational) who were the children of coal miners and other people with few economic resources. Many of these students were also the children of immigrants if not immigrants themselves. This school made its mark on the life of the Scranton community by providing a first rate educatio n to men who would not have any other opportunity for such an education. This dedication to educate the poor was the hallmark of the school and should be a great source of pride for us who continue in the task of education at the University. The resources at this school were very limited at best, but their dedication to Catholic education carried them. For many years after we became a university our former name was kept alive in our primary building Saint Thomas Hall. While I was a student this was still the absolute center of our academic life. In this building we were exposed to great ideas from mathematics, philosophy, theology, science and the liberal arts. We also made a host of friends among the students and faculty. Looking around at the many new improvements in our landscape we must realize how truly blessed we are to have an abundance of resources and a beautiful campus. Eventually, the new science building will become a signature building on campus replacing Saint Thomas Hall as an academic focal point. I propose that the name of the College of Arts and Sciences be changed to Saint Thomas College of Arts and Sciences. This name change would have several benefits. First of all, it would honor our beginnings and the fifty years of education to the poor of our area. Secondly, it would reaffirm our identity as a Catholic University. What better role model could an academic have than St. Thomas Aquinas, the great philosopher and theologian, who dedicated his life to learning and teaching the Catholic faith. Thirdly, at a time when much about the University is changing it would give a tie to the past and to the many people who were educated in Saint Thomas Hall. I think it would be an affirmation of our core values and pay homage to those who have come before us. I know that you share my respect for our past and our commitment to Catholic education. You stated it more eloquently than I have done in your letter regarding the celebration of the one hundred twentieth anniversary of the University of Scranton. As you stated: " Here on campus, our patron Thomas Aquinas can be rightfully proud of our commitment to the Church's abiding interest in the common good. Through his inspiration we pursue rigorous intellectual work." Would there be a more fitting time to celebrate our history and this commitment than our anniversary? It is with great respect and admiration for the leadership of our university that I make this suggestion. Respectfully yours, Steven Dougherty
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