Joseph L. Levesque

The Very Reverend
Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.
Interim President of St. John's University
In office
2013 – July 2014
Preceded byThe Very Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.
Succeeded byConrado Gempesaw
President of Niagara University
In office
2000–2013
Preceded byPaul L. Golden, C.M.
Succeeded byJames J. Maher, C.M.
Personal details
Born1938/1939
North Tarrytown, New York, U.S.
Died (aged 85)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materMary Immaculate Seminary
Manhattan College
The Catholic University of America
ProfessionCatholic priest and educator

Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. (1938/1939 – June 23, 2024) was an American Catholic priest of the Congregation of the Mission, better known as the Vincentian Fathers. He was Niagara University's 25th president, serving from March 2000 until 2013. He was succeeded by the Very Rev. James J. Maher, C.M.[1][2]

Biography

Born in North Tarrytown, New York, to Joesph Levesque (d 1980) of Quebec and Yvonne Levesque (1907-1994) of Millinocket, Maine,[3] after high school Levesque entered the Congregation of the Mission. He was ordained a priest in 1967 after studies at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of Master of Divinity. Following this, he was assigned to serve as an instructor in the Religious Studies Department at St. John's Preparatory School, then in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn (1967–1969), St. Joseph's Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey (1969–1970), and Niagara University (1970).[2]

In 1971, Levesque received a Master of Arts in Religious studies from Manhattan College, and in 1977 he obtained the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America.[4]

Thereafter, Levesque returned to Niagara, resumed teaching and was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the university's graduate division in 1978. He remained in the post until 1986. From 1986 to 1990, he served as the university president, superior of the Vincentian community, and teacher of Religion (Morality, Social Justice) at St. Joseph's Seminary (Princeton, New Jersey). In 1990 Father Levesque was elected Provincial Superior of the Eastern American Province of the Congregation of the Mission and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Niagara University and St. John’s University. He stepped down from the position in June 1999 after the maximum nine-year term and subsequently assumed the presidency of Niagara University in 2000.[5]

After leaving Niagara in 2013, Levesque was appointed Interim President of St. John's University, an appointment which began on August 1, 2013, upon the retirement of Donald J. Harrington, C.M.[6]

Levesque died in Philadelphia on June 23, 2024, at the age of 85.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ "Father James J. Maher, C.M., Named 26th President of Niagara University". Archived from the original on 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  2. ^ a b "Niagara University Eagle Online summer 2009". Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  3. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/articke/the-journsl-news-obituary-for-yvonne-lev/41352074/
  4. ^ About Fr. Levesque Archived 2012-02-11 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Father Levesque to Step Down as Niagara University President". Niagara University. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  6. ^ "St. John's University Welcomes Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., as Interim President". St. John's University. August 1, 2013. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  7. ^ Joly, Aidan (24 June 2024). "Longtime Niagara University president dies at 85". WIVB-TV. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  8. ^ Niagara University President Emeritus, The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., passes away
Preceded by
President of Niagara University
2000–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Interim President of
St. John's University (New York)
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw