Minister in Woodstock, Maryland at the new Jesuit scholasticate, and had seven years of missionary life in Guelph and Chatham, Canada.

Ultimately, Gockeln decided to implement a stricter regime, and "the reputation of the institution was restored,"[1] During his eight years of presidency, there was one significant issue that arose; the school colors.

Gockeln also made the decision to permit James Walsh to attend St. John's despite his parents being unable to afford the entire cost.

Gockeln wrote to his parents, and allowed them to pay $300 a year towards tuition; a deal that exempted James from several school fees.

[5] In 1882, Gockeln stepped down from his position as president, and from 1883-1884 he served as a dean at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

He then spent the remaining months of his life acting as Superior at the Jesuit Residence, St. Joseph's, in Providence, Rhode Island.