Canisius College

October 21, 2009

Vol 11. No. 5

Hurley Appointment Begins A New Era Of Leadership

	Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. and John Hurley outside of Old Main

The appointment of John J. Hurley as the 24th president of Canisius College is on the front page of today's Buffalo News. The announcement was made yesterday during a news conference at the Montante Cultural Center, which drew nearly 300 people from the Canisius and greater-Buffalo community, as well as nine media outlets. A 1978 alumnus of the college, Hurley will become the first lay president in Canisius’ 140-year history when he succeeds current President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., on July 1, 2010. 

“John is not only a significant part of Canisius but he’s a significant part of the Buffalo community which puts him in a unique and quite possibly more effective position to serve as president of the college,” said Thomas A. Van Nortwick ’71, a past president of the Alumni Association who attended Tuesday’s news conference.  “He’s been a big part of the positive momentum underway at Canisius and this appointment puts him in the perfect position to continue that momentum while at the same time creating a new set of goals that will take Canisius to a whole new level.”

In accepting the appointment, Hurley addressed Father Cooke saying he is “grateful for his guidance and mentorship all these years.”  Hurley then added that his task in the months and years ahead is “to put the entire campus community on the same page and to go out and get the job done.” 

“I was pleased to hear that Mr. Hurley was named the new president of Canisius,” said Jack Craig ’11, a history/education dual major.  “At his forum, he spoke about plans for Main Street that will make Canisius much more visible to out-of-town visitors and to new students.  It’s very exciting.” 

“This is a man who has really internalized his Catholic education experience at St. Joe’s, at Canisius College and at Notre Dame University,” added Richard H. Escaboles Jr., PhD, professor of mathematics and statistics.  “He understands very well what a college with a Jesuit, Catholic tradition is and I’m confident he will do all he can to bring that about.”

A native of Buffalo, Hurley graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Kenmore and received a bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude in English and history from Canisius College in 1978. He is one of six sons of Doris Y. and the late Paul B. Hurley to earn degrees from Canisius College. Hurley’s brother, Paul B. ’66, PhD, is president of Trocaire College.  His brother Daniel N. Hurley ’75 is assistant vice president for government and community relations at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. 

“Tuesday was a very proud day for our family,” said Caroline C. Hurley ’11, a communication studies major at Canisius and the eldest of Hurley’s three children.  “When my father was named among the three finalists, I thought that alone was a major accomplishment.  But to have him named as Father Cooke’s successor, I believe that there is no one better qualified for the job.”

To watch a video of the announcement and to read more about Hurley, click here.