12 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2026 Despite now serving an international congregation, Fr. Huber says his journey began in the classrooms and hallways of 1127 Dewey Avenue. He admits when the results of the election were announced, the moment felt almost surreal. “I was in shock,” he recalled. “I had won on the first round, which usually doesn’t happen. They put the votes on the board and for a few seconds I misunderstood and thought it needed to go to a second round. It was then that Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB asked me if I would accept. I think my voice trembled a bit when I replied, ‘I do, with the help of God.’” His connection to the Basilian Fathers began long before he graduated in 1981. As a young child, he admired his brother Andy’s cross-country coach, Fr. Michael Wesley, CSB, and later found inspiration in the Basilian priests and educators who became his teachers and mentors at Aquinas including, Mr. John Murphy, Fr. Michael Cerretto, CSB ’58, Fr. Rich Ranaletti, CSB ’62, Fr. Tom Bayles, CSB, Fr. Jack Seniawski, CSB ’65, Fr. Ed Height, CSB, and Fr. Peter Etlinger, CSB. “Each one taught us so much more than the subject of their class or the responsibility of their office,” he said. “I admired the fraternity they shared despite their very different personalities. I decided I wanted to be like them and serve Basilian Catholic education.” That calling eventually brought him back to Aquinas, this time as a French teacher and Director of Campus Ministry. Years later, he continues serving his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees, where his commitment to preserving Aquinas’ Basilian identity remains as strong as ever. Looking back, Fr. Huber says it is the relationships he built with students that remain among his greatest blessings. “So many of my Facebook friends are students I taught or who were involved in Campus Ministry and Peer Ministry,” he said. “When I think back, my students probably taught me more than I taught them.” He remembers allowing students to choose their own French names in class – names he still uses whenever he sees them decades later. His own family has remained deeply connected to Aquinas for generations. His father graduated with the Class of 1948, brothers Andy ’75, Jeff ’79, and Mark ’88 are all alumni, and two nephews also attended AQ. Even while serving as principal at another Basilian school, Detroit Catholic Central, Aquinas was never far from his heart. “Aquinas is in my blood,” he said. “I knew my blood was and will always be maroon.” Today, Fr. Huber’s responsibilities extend far beyond Rochester, yet he says the values first instilled at Aquinas continue to guide every decision he makes. The Basilian motto, ‘Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge,’ remains at the heart of his leadership. While knowledge and discipline are essential, he believes goodness is the virtue that gives the other two their purpose. “I have memories of teaching many students who really had a tough time with academics, and who battled issues of discipline,” he reflected. “But they were – and still are – filled with goodness. The desire to help others succeed and be happy, and to help those in need, takes priority, because that is the example Jesus gave us.” He credits the faculty, staff, and administrators who formed him with modeling those values every day. “They will never fully realize the good they have done by being examples of goodness. It is my responsibility to strengthen and promote these three charisms, which were modeled for me so well at Aquinas. That’s true of all of us alumni and alumnae, isn’t it?” As Aquinas continues strengthening its partnership with the Basilian Network of Education in the New Evangelization (BNENE), Fr. Huber sees tremendous promise for the future. alumni events & news FR. HUBER, CSB ’81 LEADS THE BASILIANS When Rev. John Huber, CSB ‘81 was elected Superior General of the Congregation of St. Basil this summer, it marked a historic moment not only for the worldwide Basilian community, but also for Aquinas. As Superior General, Fr. Huber now serves as the worldwide leader of the Basilian Fathers, guiding their ministries throughout Canada, the United States, France, Mexico, and Colombia. For Aquinas, his election is more than a remarkable accomplishment. It is a powerful reminder that the connections formed here can shape a lifetime of faith, leadership, and service. Fr. Huber’s Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity (Fr. Restivo, CSB, Vicar General holds the Bible)
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