Impact of Vincentian Education – powerful testimony

It is one thing for recruiters to talk about the Impact of a Vincentian Education at Niagara University. But it is quite another experience to hear the testimony of an eminently successful alumnus talk about why he and his wife donated one-half million dollars to support the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Endowed Scholarship at Niagara University. “At a critical time in my life Niagara University wrapped its arms around me…”

In moving fashion he explains the personal impact on Vincentian Education and why he feels obliged to make possible to for others to have a similar opportunity. Rev. James J. Maher, Niagara president, said Engel’s involvement with Niagara was “a gift of God born of great tragedy.” The tragedy changed his life and brought him to Niagara.

Engel, who graduated from Niagara in 1975, and his wife Lynda started the fund three years ago with a $280,000 gift. They named it after Levesque, the former university president, who was Engel’s religion professor at Niagara more than 40 years ago.

From Bloomberg News…

Mr. Robert B. Engel, also known as Bob, has been the Chief Executive Officer of Cobank Acb, a subsidiary of Farm Credit Leasing Services Corp. since July 1, 2006. Mr. Engel served as the President of Cobank Acb from July 1, 2006 to April 26, 2013. He oversaw Cobank’s lending units, as well as the Credit Group, Finance and Operations, and Human Resources. He has 19 years of banking experience, and eight years of accounting experience with KPMG and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Engel served as the Chief Operating Officer at Cobank Acb since 2000. He served as Chief Banking Officer of HSBC Bank USA and HSBC USA Inc. During his 14-year tenure at HSBC, he served in a variety of management and credit positions with responsibilities for corporate and investment banking, real estate finance, retail banking, equipment leasing, cash management and payments, mortgage banking, wealth management, and insurance. He serves as Chairman of Farm Credit Leasing Services Corp. He served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Farm Credit Leasing since 2000. He has been a Director of Farm Credit Leasing since 2003. Mr. Engel has been a Director of Soy Energy LLC since June 7, 2007 and Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation since 2003. He serves as Trustee Emeritus at Niagara University. He serves on the Boards of Trustees for Regis University, the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership, Mile High UnitedWay and Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association. He also serves on the executive council of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Mr. Engel is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.