Words inscribed on the Finance Building in Harrisburg helped guide Bob Casey’s time in the state capital, and then as a U.S. senator.
“All public service is a trust given in faith and accepted in honor.”
It’s a message he plans to now teach students at the University of Scranton.
The university announced Tuesday that Casey has joined the school as a Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service. The role will engage the Scranton resident across several aspects of campus life.
Casey served Pennsylvania for 18 years in Washington, D.C. His new role draws on that experience — and keeps him closer to home.
“One of the things that I hope to do is to try my best to instill in young people an appreciation for public service and understanding of public service, and if they choose to, to make a full and unyielding commitment to serve the people with honor and distinction,” Casey said.
Casey to guide, mentor students
In the new part-time position, Casey will mentor and guide students interested in public service careers and advise the school's Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service on program initiatives and share expertise with regional government entities through its outreach activities. He also will serve as a resource for the campus and the broader community on health care, aging, ethics, government accountability and public service issues through lectures and seminars. He also will assist school administrators with government relations and resource development efforts.
“I can't tell you how happy I am to have the senator joining us here at Scranton,” said Joseph G. Marina, S.J., university president. “A central tenet of Jesuit education, as you all know so well, is forming men and women to be agents of social change. This newly created position at the university will do just that by encouraging and entering our students to consider careers in public service, in government and in law. Senator Casey is perfect for the role.”
Life of public service
The Scranton native served as Pennsylvania’s auditor general for two terms (1997-2005) and state treasurer for one term (2005-2007) before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. The Democrat lost to Republican Dave McCormick last year.
“I'm blessed to have the chance to have served in public office of both the state and the federal level,” Casey said. “I've learned a few things along the way, not simply about government and about policy and issues, but also about politics and elections. And so I want to try my best to provide for students a real world perspective on what it's all about.”
Casey left office in January, and since then, has enjoyed spending time with his family, including his three grandsons, he said. He has also talked to law firms, and will soon begin a “new chapter” and will work as a lawyer. He doesn’t rule out seeking public office again, but said he’s enjoying more time at his Hill Section home.
A Jesuit tradition
The University of Scranton is a Catholic, Jesuit institution whose principles are familiar to Casey. He graduated from Jesuit institutions — Scranton Preparatory High School and the College of the Holy Cross. He spent a year as a Jesuit volunteer, teaching and coaching in North Philadelphia before earning a law degree from The Catholic University of America.
The Leahy Fellowship is supported by Edward and Patricia Leahy, longtime university benefactors. The university dedicated Edward R. Leahy Hall in 2015 in honor of their late son, Edward, Jr., and named the Leahy College of Health Sciences in their honor.
The Leahys hosted a reception for Casey in Washington during his first senate campaign.
“Since that time, he has been the embodiment of ethics in government, in the Senate, as well as a champion of all Pennsylvanians, particularly a champion of people with disabilities, which is one of the reasons why we were very interested in doing this,” Edward Leahy said. “We celebrate the union of the values of a great Jesuit university … joining with a leader with integrity who has embodied the principles of ethics in government.”
