About Father Levesque
During his time at NU, Father Levesque was instrumental in building the campus into what exists today. As outlined in his inaugural address, Father Levesque’s goals included establishing and stabilizing a “new Niagara,” all while remaining faithful to the university’s mission and the best interests of its students and the community.
Father Levesque's Legacy
The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., is a native of North Tarrytown, NY, and was ordained as a Vincentian priest in 1967 after studies at Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pa. He taught religious studies at St. John’s Preparatory School in Brooklyn and at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Princeton, N.J., before being assigned to Niagara’s religious studies department in 1970. Father Levesque left his teaching duties at Niagara University to pursue his studies in theology at The Catholic University of America, where he received his doctoral degree. Father Levesque served as chair of the boards of St. John’s University and Niagara University during his term as provincial. He was concurrently active in the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, a leadership organization that serves all male religious in the United States. Father Levesque served as president from 1995-97, gaining a national presence through his work with the Catholic bishops and with church authorities in Rome. He was the conference’s liaison to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy from 1991 to 1994.