University President John J. DeGioia announced that Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. will begin as the first Vice President for ission and Ministry in a broadcast e-mail on April 21, 2003. Boroughs will be responsible for Georgetown’s campus ministry program and will work to preserve the tradition of Georgetown’s heritage, Catholic identity and Jesuit mission. In his new position, Boroughs will replace Interim University Chaplain Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J. (CAS ’81), who has been appointed president of the University of Scranton.
Boroughs comes from the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus and recently served as Rector of the Jesuit Community and Assistant to the President for Jesuit Identity at Seattle University. Boroughs also served as the national chair of the Rectors of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
“Father Boroughs comes to Georgetown with a deep understanding of Ignatian spirituality and a record of accomplishment in higher education, having taught at Seattle and Gonzaga Universities and having served as a trustee at the University of San Francisco,” DeGioia said.
Boroughs received his bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University, a masters of divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Chicago, a Licentiate of Sacred Theology degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and a Ph.D from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Boroughs’ scholarly and research interests focus on the spirituality of John Woolman, an 18th Century Quaker noted for his commitment to social justice.
The newly formed position of Vice President for Mission and inistry replaces the position of University Chaplain, held this year by Pilarz, who will begin as president at the University of Scranton on July 1. Pilarz served as the interim chaplain to all three of Georgetown’s campuses, and will leave Georgetown after spending 23 years at the university as a student, priest, professor and administrator.