Canisius High School Today
20
TODAY Feature
Meet Rev. Joseph S. Costantino, S.J.
ew president leads the next
chapter of Jesuit education at
Canisius High School.
When Fr. Joseph Costantino, S.J. was
around 12 years old, his grandmother
gave him a small Hummel figurine
depicting a boy standing at a podium,
hands raised as if conducting an orchestra. She told him,
“That’s you,” perhaps hinting not that he was going to be
a music conductor, but rather recognizing the leadership
qualities she saw in her grandson.
Looking back on the path that led Father Joe to become the
34th president of Canisius High School, his grandmother’s
gift certainly seems to be an accurate prediction. Appointed
president at Canisius High School this past April, Father
Joe has taught philosophy at the college level; directed the
vocations office for the New York and Maryland provinces
of the Society of Jesus; served as executive director of a Jesuit
retreat house; and, most recently, guided a Catholic parish
in Manhattan, NY as pastor. He notes that each role helped
define and shape the Jesuit-influenced leadership vision he
brings to Canisius as the school’s new president.
“What I have learned over time is that
you cannot conduct unless you have the
instruments, the people to play those
instruments, and the talent of the musicians
to create a symphony,”
Fr. Joe explains
.
“I see my role as cultivating and bringing
together all those instruments in unity
amidst diversity. That means all the different
constituents, from students, faculty and staff
to parents, alumni and the larger Buffalo
community so that we continue to make
great music together.”
1 9 76
1 993
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1986
1 982
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1 9 9 1
1980
1988
1984
1990
1994
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1989
1 9 7 8
1 992
1977 – Earns Bachelor of Arts in philosophy fromNew York University
1977 – Enters the Society of Jesus
1978 – Teaches in HAP program at Canisius High School as Jesuit novice
1980 – Returns to teach in HAP program
1981 – Earns Master of Arts in philosophy from FordhamUniversity
1981-1984 – Teaches philosophy at Canisius College
1987 – Earns Master’s of
Divinity fromWeston
Jesuit School of
Theology
1987 – Ordained into the
Society of Jesus
1988 – Attended University
of Pennsylvania
1989 – Earns Licentiate
fromWeston School
of Theology
1989 – Serves on staff of
St. Ignatius Retreat
House in NY
