The University of Scranton is a private, non-profit, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit research university, located in the historic Hill Section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1888 by Most Rev. William O'Hara, the first Bishop of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. In 1938, the College was elevated to university status and took the name The University of Scranton. The institution was operated by the Diocese of Scranton from its founding until 1897.