BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University announced today the appointment of Spencer Liechty as its new director of Campus Ministry. Liechty is the current coordinator for faith and justice at the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. He begins work at Canisius in July.
The Office of Campus Ministry at Canisius University exists to help students of all faiths find, share and reflect on where they see God in their lives, through personal prayer, liturgy and retreats, as well as through volunteer and service-immersion experiences.
In Liechty’s new role, he will provide a pastoral presence to Canisius students and assist in the development of their spiritual growth through the planning and coordination of activities and programs focused on spiritual ministry and social justice. Additionally, Liechty will plan and provide opportunities for members of the college community to understand and live the college’s Catholic Jesuit mission.
As coordinator for faith and justice at Xavier University, Liechty supervised a team of student leaders in planning Kairos-style retreats, led and managed first-year student engagement, and accompanied students on service-immersion trips. He is a former patients’ rights advocate for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, during which time Liechty visited with inmates at the San Jose County Jail, and managed caseloads and intake for a non-profit legal aid foundation. Liechty also served as a team leader for AmeriCorps, for which he led and directed volunteers in projects affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, environmental conservation and summer camps.
Liechty holds a BA in political science and an MA in theology, both from Xavier University. He was also a Jesuit novitiate of the Midwest Province.
One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
