winter 2009-2010 - The University of Scranton

A Celebration of Service
University Dedicates Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny Ballroom
More than 400 people gathered in the Patrick
and Margaret DeNaples Center on September
13 for the dedication of the Rev. Bernard R.
McIlhenny, S.J., Ballroom. “Father Mac” served as
headmaster at Scranton Prep from 1958 to 1966
and dean of admissions at the University from
1966 to 1997. He is currently dean of admissions
emeritus at the University and minister of the
Jesuit Community at Scranton.
The dedication program featured a number of
prominent Scranton alumni and local community
leaders who spoke about various aspects of their
friendship with Fr. McIlhenny. The speakers that
night were: Most Rev. James C. Timlin, D.D., H
’87, Joseph A. Quinn, Jr., Esq. ’63, Rev. William
J. Byron, S.J., H ’84, Hon. William J. Nealon, H
’75, Joseph P. Bannon, M.D. ’83, Tracy F. Bannon
’84, Hon. Richard P. Conaboy ’46, H ’83, and
Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., H ’06.
Fr. McIlhenny was lauded for his pioneering
work in the admissions office. Judge Nealon
called him, “The first and best PR man for the
University,” crediting him with developing the
“in-market” admissions strategy that continues to
drive University admissions. Judge Nealon recalled
Fr. McIlhenny often saying that you “do not to
sit and wait for students, but go meet them on
their turf and show them what life is like at the
University.”
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of the
University, formally dedicated The McIlhenny
Ballroom and praised Fr. McIlhenny as the “rock
that the University we know today was built on.”
He went on to say that because of his work not
only on campus but in the greater Scranton community,
it is fitting that we name this ballroom in
honor of Fr. McIlhenny in the DeNaples Center
next to the Moskovitz Theater. “These are the
giants of Scranton and forever their names will be
part of our campus,” said Fr. Pilarz. In addition,
he noted that Fr. McIlhenny is responsible for
admitting to Scranton more than two-thirds of
Scranton’s living alumni.
The Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J., Ballroom,
is a multipurpose room located on the fourth floor
of the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center. It is
the largest meeting space on campus, and is used for
assemblies, Masses, meetings and more.
The more than 400 guests who attended the dedication of the Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J., Ballroom
enjoy an evening reception on the patio of the DeNaples Center.
Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of the
University, gathered with the “giants of
Scranton” who have made possible the
largest and most utilized spaces on campus.
From left: Leo and Ann H’98 Moskovitz;
Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J.; Fr. Pilarz,;
and Bettyann and Louis DeNaples Sr. H’05.
A testament to Fr. McIlhenny’s service to
Scranton was evidenced by the people who
came to share thoughts about their friendship
with the honoree. Speakers at the dedication
ceremony included (seated, from left) Rev.
Herbert B. Keller, S.J., H ’06, Rev. Scott R.
Pilarz, S.J., Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J.,
H ’98, Rev. William J. Byron, S.J., H ’84, and
Most Rev. James C. Timlin, D.D., H ’87. Standing,
from left: Hon. Richard P. Conaboy ’46,
H ’83; Hon. William J. Nealon, H ’75; Joseph
A. Quinn, Jr. ’63; Joseph P. Bannon, M.D. ’83;
Tracy F. Bannon ’84 and Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D.