Rev. William James Byron, S.J. (born 25 May 1927) is an American priest of the Society of Jesus. Byron served as the President of the University of Scranton from 1975-82 and the President of Catholic University of America from 1982-92. He is now a Professor of Business and Society at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Early life and education Byron was born on 25 May 1927 in Pittsburgh, and raised in Philadelphia. He attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School, graduating in 1945. Upon his graduation, Byron served in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the United States Army in the Second World War from 1945-46. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 1950, he was a student at St. Joseph’s University for three years. He was ordained in 1961. Byron received a doctorate in economics from the University of Maryland. He also holds two theology degrees from Woodstock College, a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's degree in economics from Saint Louis University. Over the course of his career, Father Bryon has received more than twenty-five honorary degrees, including an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University of Scranton in 1982. Career Early career Father Byron served as a mathematics professor at Scranton Preparatory School from 1956 to 1958. In 1962 he was named assistant editor of America and from 1965 to 1966 he held a teaching fellowship and a U.S. Department of Labor Manpower Research Fellowship at the University of Maryland. From 1967 to 1969 he served as assistant professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland and served as adjunct professor of pastoral theology at Woodstock College, the most important center of Catholic teaching in the Country. He was named associate professor of social ethics and director of field education at Woodstock College. When Woodstock moved from Maryland to New York City, he became rector of the Woodstock Jesuit Community. He also served as a lecturer at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. President of the University of Scranton In 1975, Father Byron became the President at the University of Scranton, succeeding Dexter L. Hanley, S.J. He served as President until he resigned in 1982. Father Panuska, the former academic vice president and dean of faculties at Boston College, succeeded Byron as Scranton’s next president. Under Byron’s leadership, the University of Scranton underwent significant changes, including gains in enrollment, increasing academic standing of the University, improvements,