Each year, Delbarton designates a Distinguished Educator who manifests qualities of personal and professional excellence that significantly impact the lives of young people. In annually presenting its Distinguished Educator Award, the School honors a worthy individual, and shines a light on the dignity and value of the teaching profession. Since its inception in 1975, fifty educators have received this distinction and were acknowledged as models of ability and devotion in educating the young people of New Jersey.

On May 27, at the final Faculty Meeting of the 2025-2026 school year, Fr. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B., a well-respected Benedictine educator, received the Delbarton School 2026 Distinguished Educator Award.  Fr. Edwin has served as the headmaster of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, NJ for the past forty-four years, a remarkable achievement and a powerful symbol of Benedictine stability and constancy.

Delbarton Director of Admissions Jake Ross organized the presentation and Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, OSB presented the Award to Fr. Edwin who, over the past forty-four years, has impacted the lives of generations of St. Benedict's students and alumni.

Speaking of Fr. Edwin, Fr. Michael recalled that St. Benedict's Prep closed its doors in 1972 during a period of racial turmoil in Newark. "Fr. Edwin had a vision...he and his brothers refused to give up and were willing to fundamentally rethink what a Benedictine Catholic school could do to serve the people of Newark," said Fr. Michael. "He has been a beacon for those involved in Catholic education ever since."

In accepting the Distinguished Educator Award, Fr. Edwin demonstrated his characteristically humble, self-effacing nature. "All I am is a nobody," he told Delbarton faculty members (ironically, a 'nobody' with six honorary doctorates who, when he first applied to St. Benedict's in the late 1950s, was rejected). "There is nothing distinguished about me," he added.

He described his role as providing a conduit for others. "People come to faith by seeing signs of faith: love and community." This is the pathway that Fr. Edwin, with great intention and devotion, has offered to generations St. Benedict's Prep students, faculty and families, truly an remarkable legacy.

In closing, Fr. Edwin commended Delbarton teachers, telling them, "Thank you for doing what you do. You are the distinguished ones." 

Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B. has been the Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep since 1972. A 1963 graduate of the school, he earned a B.A. in Philosophy at Seton Hall University and a Master’s in Divinity with distinction from the Woodstock College at Union Theological Seminary, New York. He became a monk of the Benedictine Abbey of Newark in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1972.

Fr. Edwin began teaching at St. Benedict’s in 1967. When the school closed in 1972, he led efforts along with his brother monks to reopen it and, in 1973, St. Benedict’s relaunched with 89 students and 14 faculty members. Under his leadership, enrollment grew, drawing more students from Newark and beyond. By 1980, the school served over 200 students, reaffirming its mission to educate young men from low-income backgrounds.

In 2020, Fr. Edwin supported the creation of a Girls Prep Division, expanding St. Benedict’s to include co-ed elementary and middle divisions, and separate boys’ and girls’ high school divisions. Today, the school serves over 1,000 students in grades K-12, with nearly 100% of graduates attending college.

His work has gained national attention, including a 2016 60 Minutes feature and the 2014 documentary The Rule. He has received honorary doctorates from Rutgers, Saint Peter’s, and St. John’s University and numerous awards, including the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Award for Urban School Leadership. In 2024, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame for Public Service.

Fr. Edwin also serves as President of the Board for the Essex County Schools of Technology, and currently sits on the Delbarton Board of Trustees.

The Delbarton community salutes an exemplary educator and leader Fr. Edwin Leahy. O.S.B. on receiving yet another accolade in a life that justifiably has been full of them.