Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. named interim-President

Joseph L. Levesque served as President of Niagara University from 2000 until this year.
Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. has been elected interim President of the University by the Board of Trustees, according to an email sent from Peter P. D’Angelo, Chairman of the Board, to the University community Wednesday morning.
Levesque will assume the role of interim President effective Aug. 1 following Rev. Donald J. Harrington’s departure on July 31. The University will conduct a national search to permanently fill the position over the coming months, D’Angelo said.
“We are confident of a seamless transition as Fr. Harrington steps down as president at the end of this month, and know that, over the coming academic year, Fr. Levesque will continue to build on his outstanding record of accomplishment,” D’Angelo said.
Levesque served as President of Niagara University from 2000 until this year. Prior to that, he served as provincial superior of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission for the Vincentian Community while also serving as Chair of the Boards of St. John’s and Niagara, according to the St. John’s website.
Harrington announced in May that he decided to step down this summer after 24 years as president, news that came as the Board of Trustees was in the midst of conducting an investigation into accusations of financial impropriety at the University’s highest levels.
D’Angelo said in the email that the Board is in the process of completing the investigation and will update the University community on the matter later this summer.
Two years ago, when I was the Sports Editor, Kieran was the first person to express interest in writing sports for the Torch. He’s been taking initiative like that ever since. Since that time, he’s blossomed, first as a sports writer, then doing double duty as the men’s basketball team’s beat writer and the Features Editor. In that time, Kieran has proven to be a top-notch reporter, writer and editor, and has shown a willingness to go above and beyond what’s expected of him. He has everything needed to be a great Editor-in-Chief, and as pressing issues at the University demand serious coverage, I couldn’t be leaving the Torch in safer hands.
-Mike Cunniff
Editor-in-Chief, Emeritus
Ed Sirianno • Jul 10, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Congratulations! Welcome Fr. Levesque. Godspeed.