Alumnus John Hurley Named Canisius College President BUFFALO (wned) - They looked far and wide for a new leader but in the end decided to hire from within. John J. Hurley will succeed Rev. Vincent Cooke as the 24th President of Canisius College when Cooke steps down in June 2010.

The 53-year-old Hurley, a Buffalo native, is a graduate of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Canisius College and Notre Dame Law School. For 13 years, he has been a top administrator at the Main Street campus.

Speaking to an estimated 250 people at the Montante Cultural Center next to the campus, Hurley said he wants to take Canisius to the next level of excellence.

"My task in the months and years ahead is to put this entire campus community on the same page and to go out and get the job done...failure is not an option," Hurley said.

Hurley is the first lay president of Canisius in the college's 140 year history.

© Copyright 2009, wned