Longtime Niagara University president dies at 85

Photo courtesy of Niagara University

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) — The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, CM, longtime president of Niagara University who led the school for more than a decade, died Sunday at the age of 85, the school announced.

Lévesque served as president of Niagara from 2000 to 2013. During his time at NU, the school built the Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences, the 56,000-square-foot Academic Complex and Bisgrove Hall and renovated two theaters on the campus as well as the admission center.

“Father Lévesque leaves a tremendous legacy that touched all who were fortunate enough to meet him,” the Rev. James J. Maher, CM, current president of Niagara University, said Monday. “He will forever be remembered for his faith-filled pastoral legacy, his leadership within the province and Niagara University, and his endless commitment to serving the poor and oppressed.

Lévesque began teaching at Niagara in 1970 and returned in 1978 after receiving his doctorate. He returned to the seminary in 1986 and worked outside of Niagara until 1999.

He was the fourth longest-serving president in school history. He was named president emeritus after his retirement.