Niagara University has tapped a Vincentian priest and administrator from St. John’s University in New York City to serve as its next president.
Rev. James J. Maher, executive vice president for mission and student services at St. John’s, was announced today as the 26th president of Niagara and successor to Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, who is stepping down at the end of the semester.
The transition will become official Aug. 1.
Maher – who was introduced this afternoon on campus at the Castellani Art Museum – said he eventually will lay out his vision for the university, but only after he’s had a chance to hear from the Niagara community.
“I have been well prepared by my 22 years of administrative service at St. John’s University and am humbled at this opportunity, not just because of the role I have been asked to serve, but also because of where this role takes me – this great institution, Niagara University,” Maher said.
Niagara, which announced Levesque’s resignation in January, wasted no time in naming a successor and didn’t have to look very far: Maher has spent nearly three years as a member of the university’s board of trustees.
Maher has other ties to Niagara.
His brother, the Rev. John Maher, is a 1976 Niagara graduate and worked on campus in several capacities from 2005 to 2011.
In addition, Maher lived on the university’s auxiliary campus in the mid-1980s as a member of the Vincentian Service Corps.
“Our next president is student-focused, collaborative, energetic, strong in management and leadership and committed to the Catholic and Vincentian tradition,” said Jeffrey Holzschuh, chairman of Niagara’s board of trustees. “We are extremely confident that this man will continue to move Niagara forward, building upon the strong foundation laid by Father Levesque.”
Maher began his career at St. John’s in 1990.
During his tenure at the Queens-based university, Maher has served as campus minister to the athletics department; vice president of university ministry; and vice president of student affairs. He was appointed executive vice president for mission and student services in 2011.
He also has served as executive director of the Vincentian Institute for Social Action and as a board member for the St. John’s Bread & Life Program, the second largest emergency food provider in New York City.
Maher earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s in 1984. He received his master’s of divinity in 1989 and a master’s in theology in 1990 from Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pa., where he was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1990.
In 2004, Maher was granted a doctorate of ministry by The Immaculate Conception Seminary and Graduate School of Theology.
Levesque, meanwhile, will step down as president at the end of the current academic year, but will remain on campus with the title of president emeritus.
email: jrey@buffnews.com
Rev. James J. Maher, executive vice president for mission and student services at St. John’s, was announced today as the 26th president of Niagara and successor to Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, who is stepping down at the end of the semester.
The transition will become official Aug. 1.
Maher – who was introduced this afternoon on campus at the Castellani Art Museum – said he eventually will lay out his vision for the university, but only after he’s had a chance to hear from the Niagara community.
“I have been well prepared by my 22 years of administrative service at St. John’s University and am humbled at this opportunity, not just because of the role I have been asked to serve, but also because of where this role takes me – this great institution, Niagara University,” Maher said.
Niagara, which announced Levesque’s resignation in January, wasted no time in naming a successor and didn’t have to look very far: Maher has spent nearly three years as a member of the university’s board of trustees.
Maher has other ties to Niagara.
His brother, the Rev. John Maher, is a 1976 Niagara graduate and worked on campus in several capacities from 2005 to 2011.
In addition, Maher lived on the university’s auxiliary campus in the mid-1980s as a member of the Vincentian Service Corps.
“Our next president is student-focused, collaborative, energetic, strong in management and leadership and committed to the Catholic and Vincentian tradition,” said Jeffrey Holzschuh, chairman of Niagara’s board of trustees. “We are extremely confident that this man will continue to move Niagara forward, building upon the strong foundation laid by Father Levesque.”
Maher began his career at St. John’s in 1990.
During his tenure at the Queens-based university, Maher has served as campus minister to the athletics department; vice president of university ministry; and vice president of student affairs. He was appointed executive vice president for mission and student services in 2011.
He also has served as executive director of the Vincentian Institute for Social Action and as a board member for the St. John’s Bread & Life Program, the second largest emergency food provider in New York City.
Maher earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s in 1984. He received his master’s of divinity in 1989 and a master’s in theology in 1990 from Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pa., where he was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1990.
In 2004, Maher was granted a doctorate of ministry by The Immaculate Conception Seminary and Graduate School of Theology.
Levesque, meanwhile, will step down as president at the end of the current academic year, but will remain on campus with the title of president emeritus.
email: jrey@buffnews.com