Niagara University has chosen a new leader. Rev. James J. Maher was introduced Wednesday afternoon at the University's Castellani Art Museum. Rev. Maher is a Vincentian priest who served as vice president for mission and student services at Saint John's University in New York City. He will officially take over the helm at Niagara on August 1.
Father Maher will succeed Reverend Joseph Levesque, who announced his resignation in January, as of the end of the current academic year.
“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 University is a bright, shining city on a hill, illuminated by great faculty and students, committed administrators and staff members who, by their example, make Niagara a special place with wonderful academic programs and a living mission."
Maher has been a member of the Niagara Board of Trustees for the past three years, and has been an administrator at Saint John's since 1990. He resided on the university’s auxiliary campus in the mid-1980s as a member of the Vincentian Service Corps.
Father Maher received his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in 1984, and earned master’s degrees in divinity and theology from Mary Immaculate. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1990.
