MILWAUKEE – Marquette University President, Jesuit Fr. Scott R. Pilarz, has informed the Marquette University Board of Trustees of his resignation in order to pursue new apostolic work, according to board chair Charles M. Swoboda, in a statement released by Marquette University Friday evening.

Fr. 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, according to the statement.

Fr. Pilarz said that “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.”

Prior to serving at Marquette, Fr. Pilarz was the 24th president of the University of Scranton from July 1, 2003 to July 1, 2011.

Swoboda, a 1989 graduate of Marquette University, president, chief executive officer and chairman of Cree, Inc., and a member of the Board of Trustees for the past nine years, will lead the university in its transition planning.

Swoboda referenced Fr. 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 Fr. Pilarz for his accomplishments and dedication to Marquette, its faculty and most of all, its students,” said Swoboda in the statement. “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.”

Marquette will begin the search process for a new permanent president immediately.