Newark headmaster, Father Ed, inducted into N.J. Hall of Fame

Father Edwin Leahy, headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame among 18 others, including actress Meryl Streep, actor Paul Rudd, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Subs Peter Cancro, former NY Giants quarterback Phil Simms, and singer-songwriter Lesley Gore.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) recognized Father Leahy’s dedication to education and community service and awarded him the Public Service Award.

Leahy, a Benedictine monk and Catholic priest, has served as headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep since 1972. The private Catholic school serves approximately 1,000 K-12 students from Newark and neighboring communities, including Irvington, Orange, East Orange, Belleville, Union, and beyond. Renowned for its student-centered educational philosophy, St. Benedict’s Prep boasts a storied history as an inclusive space dedicated to serving the minority communities of Newark.

Father Leahy is the first clergy member inducted into the NJHOF. Sister Jane Brady, of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, was the first woman religious inducted into the hall of fame in 2019.

Leahy attributes his recognition not to himself but to the collective efforts of those who have supported and shaped St. Benedict’s Prep. “It is a recognition of everyone who has taken part in making Benedict’s what it is,” he said. “I am just part of a big team that stretches around the globe to make this work.”

Leahy began as a student at St. Benedict’s

Leahy, a St. Benedict’s Prep alum, initially faced rejection from the school, a setback that could have derailed his dreams.

“By God’s grace, I got in,” Leahy recalled. “When I applied out of 8th grade, I was rejected. My pastor, Msgr. Charles McCorristin wrote a letter to the headmaster asking them to give me a chance.”

Leahy felt an immediate sense of belonging at St. Benedict’s. Although priests who were frequent guests in his home and local parish surrounded him, he knew nothing about the monastic life. But during high school, he began considering a monastic vocation, influenced by the monks he met at St. Benedict’s.

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A fortunate turn of events led to Leahy becoming headmaster

Several unforeseen events during the turbulent 1960s, most notably the Newark riots and the impact of a 1966 book by American journalist John McPhee, shaped Leahy’s journey to becoming headmaster.

After the riots, Leahy lived at St. Mary’s Abbey and worked at Delbarton School in Morristown. He had previously completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at Seton Hall University in 1968. His monastic journey began in 1966 at the Benedictine Abbey of Newark when he took his initial vows. He was later ordained as a priest in 1972. In 1975, he achieved a Master’s in Divinity with honors from Woodstock College at Union Theological Seminary in New York.

During that time, a book about Frank Learoyd Boyden, headmaster of Deerfield Academy, a preparatory school for boys in Deerfield, Mass., profoundly impacted him.

“One of the monks gave me a book, The Headmaster, written by John McPhee. It really inspired and impressed me,” Leahy said. When Leahy read the book, he had no idea it would later inform his leadership style at St. Benedict’s. Boydon became a model for Leahy’s approach when Leahy later took on the task of reopening St. Benedict’s Prep. Eventually, he would reflect that the “mystery of God’s ways” sent that book to him.

The closure of St. Benedict’s in 1972 was a devastating blow to the Newark community and Leahy personally. The monks blamed money issues and disagreements about educational philosophy for the closure. Leahy, however, attributed the school’s downfall to racial tensions. “I blamed racism for the closure of the school,” he said.

He suggested that if the surrounding community had not been predominantly African American, more might have been done to prevent the closure.

This period was marked by anger and frustration throughout the entire community, but it also presented an opportunity. When asked to lead the re-establishment of St. Benedict’s just 13 months after its initial closure, Leahy accepted. Thus, he embarked on a mission to rebuild not just a school but also a fractured community.

Rebuilding trust in the community

In 1973, under Leahy’s leadership, St. Benedict’s reopened, welcoming 89 students and 14 faculty members. Among them were 13 monks who renewed their dedication to the school’s mission, which focused on serving young men from predominantly low-income families in Newark.

Reopening St. Benedict’s was fraught with challenges. The monastic community was all white, while the surrounding community was predominantly African American and Hispanic. Consequently, Leahy said the school faced justified skepticism from the surrounding communities.

Leahy recounted a significant lesson learned during this period: “What we learned from that was to shut up and listen. Take the cotton out of our ears, put it in our mouths, and learn to listen.”

The commitment to listening became a cornerstone of his leadership style. Additionally, he and his staff have worked to create opportunities for students to take charge of their education and to become compassionate, understanding community leaders. “Never do for students what they can do for themselves,” is one of his sayings. 

Fostering connections for students now and in the future

Leahy’s impact on students has been significant. He mentioned encountering St. Benedict’s alums everywhere he goes, who remain passionately connected to their alma mater, even 40 or 50 years after graduation.

Leahy is committed to expanding future opportunities for students. He aims to raise more funds to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent any student from attending. Additionally, he plans to build a residence hall for girls on campus and continue fostering global connectedness through international partnerships.

“Education in this century needs to be about awareness and understanding other people’s realities,” he said. The school’s relationships with religious communities and global programs additionally reflect Leahy’s commitment to broadening students’ perspectives.

Inspired by four strong men

Leahy cites four influential figures in his life. His father, William Leahy, often in prayer, instilled in him the values of prayer, principle, and risk-taking. Father Martin Burne helped shape his monastic vocation and recognized his unique ability to connect with people. His football coach, Joe Kasberger, taught him the importance of teamwork. And Father Melvin Valvano, his spiritual guide, helped shape his self-understanding and personal growth.

Hall of Fame

Since 2008, the NJHOF has honored citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey, and the world beyond. The goal is to present school children with significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame will host the 16th Annual NJHOF Induction Ceremony as a pre-taped special at American Dream and various satellite exhibits. It will air on Nov. 13 on Fox 5 My9 and be available on social media.

Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of the NJHOF, expressed excitement about the 2024 class, noting, “This year’s inductees embody the New Jersey spirit of hard work and perseverance. We are eager to honor their contributions and share their stories with future generations.”