Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., has been named the 23rd president in Marquette University history.

Pilarz was elected unanimously Tuesday during a special meeting of the university board of trustees -- on which Pilarz has served since September 2009.

The 51-year-old is currently president of the University of Scranton and previously spent six years at Georgetown.

"Father Pilarz demonstrates enormous passion for the mission of Catholic, Jesuit education and boasts a record of accomplishment, both as an educator and as a leader, that speaks directly to Marquette’s commitment to excellence," board chairman Darren Jackson said in a statement released by the school Tuesday.

"He is the right person to lead our continued growth as one of the nation’s top Catholic universities."

He will take the place of Rev. Robert A. Wild, who will retire next year after 15 years as president.