Niagara University President Rev. Joseph Levesque announced Tuesday he will be stepping down.
Levesque, who began teaching at Niagara 43 years ago, has led the college for the past 13 years. He will resign from his position at the end of this academic year. However, the Niagara University Board of Trustees has named him as President Emeritus.
"I am not retiring. As a matter of fact, I will stay on at Niagara University, working in those ways I can assist the new president, the administration, and all members of the Niagara University community," Levesque said..
“This truly is a bittersweet day for me,” admitted Father Levesque. “With the help, trust and guidance of so many, we have accomplished the numerous goals that I articulated during my inaugural address. We have been successful in establishing and stabilizing a ‘new Niagara,’ all while remaining faithful to our mission and the best interests of our students and the community that we call home.
“I have been a member of the Niagara University community for more than four decades now and although I will no longer be president, I am very happy to be able to say that I will remain at NU for a long time to come, God willing.”
Father Levesque was named the 25th president of Niagara University in January 2000. The University says his 13 years of service makes him the fourth longest-tenured president in the history of the Catholic and Vincentian institution, behind only the Rev. Patrick V. Kavanagh, C.M. (1878-94), the Rev. Robert E.V. Rice, C.M. (1863-78), and the Rev. Joseph M. Noonan, C.M. (1932-47).