![]() |
In 1784 the Jesuits expanded the mission they had founded in Detroit in 1728 to
include the south shore of the Detroit River. The Hurons gave the Jesuits the
land for the new mission at La Pointe de Montreal, near the present Ambassador
Bridge. In 1767 the mission, which served both the French settlers and the
native people, was granted a new status, and the first parish in Canada west of
Montreal, Assumption Parish, was erected. Nineteen years later in 1786 two
schools, one for girls and one for boys, were begun at Assumption Parish.
By the spring of 1855 the parish had enough funds to begin construction
of a college. On February 10, 1857, primarily through the work of Rev. Pierre
Point S.J., Assumption College opened its doors to twenty-six boarders and sixty
day students. M. Theodule Girardot was the first instructor.
Within the
year, the Jesuits left Assumption and relinquished control of the College to the
diocese. Father Joseph Malbos C.S.B., the first Basilian president of the new
College, succeeded the Jesuits but stayed for only one year. The year of Father
Malbos s presidency was most significant for the College since he had the
foresight to have the College incorporated by an Act of the Parliament of Upper
Canada, which received Royal Assent, August 16, 1858. The Act of Incorporation
provided an anchor of stability for the fledgling College as Benedictines,
Jesuits and diocesan clergy, successively, assumed direction of the College over
the next twelve years.
University Development
In 1868,
Bishop John Walsh D.D., second bishop of the diocese of London, Ontario invited
the Basilian Fathers to assume control of Assumption College. In 1870, Father
Dennis O Connor C.S.B., who later became Bishop of London and Archbishop of
Toronto, became president. With Father O Connor were six other Basilians:
Fathers Aboulin and Faure (in the parish) and four scholastics, McBrady,
Scanlon, Quinlan and Mannix. The new Basilian community immediately began
planning for a larger and more permanent structure for the College. Construction
of the main building that stands today was begun in 1883, with the Chapel wing
completed in 1908.
During the early years the curriculum consisted of
classical and commercial courses providing a complete high school and Arts
program designed to prepare students for theological studies, although many
graduates of the College entered business and professional spheres. In 1919
Assumption College affiliated with Western University (now the University of
Western Ontario, London) with a broadened curriculum that included: general and
honours programs leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees;
graduate courses in Philosophy leading to a Master of Arts; and pre-professional
programs such as pre-engineering, pre-medicine and pre-law.
In 1934 the
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary affiliated Holy Names College with
Assumption College which enabled Assumption to become co-educational. Although
Holy Names College closed in 1962 the Sisters continued to teach at Assumption
College and Assumption acquired and renamed the women s residence, Electa Hall.
On July 1, 1953 through an Act of the Ontario Legislature, Assumption
College received its own university powers and ended the affiliation with the
University of Western Ontario begun in 1919. The following year Assumption
College was admitted to full membership in: the National Conference of Canadian
Universities and Colleges; the University Matriculation Board of Ontario; and
the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth.
In 1956 the
College changed its name to Assumption University of Windsor by an Act of the
Ontario Legislature. The new University accepted the non-denominational Essex
College, incorporated in 1954, as an affiliated college with responsibility for:
the Faculty of Applied Science; the Schools of Business Administration and
Nursing; and the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Geography, and
Mathematics and Physics. Holy Redeemer College, the national seminary of the
Redemptorist Fathers also became an affiliated college of the newly renamed
Assumption University. And in 1957, in a historic move that attracted
international attention Canterbury College offering courses in Philosophy,
Religious Knowledge and Mediaeval History affiliated with Assumption University.
This was the first time in history that an Anglican college had affiliated with
a Roman Catholic university.
In the 1960 s the city of Windsor s
growth and the increasing demands for higher education, necessitated a further
restructuring of the University. Accordingly, the boards of governors and
regents of Assumption University and the board of directors of Essex College
petitioned for the University of Windsor. An Act of the Legislature of the
Province of Ontario incorporated the University of Windsor on December 19, 1962.
The new non-denominational University included Assumption University as a
federated member holding in abeyance its degree granting powers save for the
Faculty of Theology. The facilities and teaching faculty of Assumption
University were integrated into the University of Windsor. Father E. Carlisle
LeBel C.S.B. the President of Assumption University became the first President
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Windsor and the Chancellor of
Assumption University, Bishop J.C. Cody, became the first Chancellor of the
University of Windsor. Fr. Norbert J. Ruth, C.S.B., became the first Dean of
Arts and Science of the University of Windsor, a position he held until 1970,
when he became President of Assumption University. The development of a
non-denominational provincial university out of an historic Roman Catholic
university was unprecedented.
In keeping with the heritage it had
received from Assumption University, the University of Windsor, during 1963 and
64 affiliated Holy Redeemer College, Canterbury College and the new Iona College
(United Church of Canada). Today Assumption University remains the only
university federated with the University of Windsor. Canterbury College and Iona
College continue in their affiliated status while, Holy Redeemer College and
Essex College are defunct.
In 2007 Assumption University will celebrate
its sesquicentennial. While celebrating its past achievements the University
looks forward to building upon the rich theological, cultural and
inter-disciplinary endeavours that constitute its distinguished history. The
service to Church and society, locally, nationally and internationally that
characterizes Assumption University will continue in new and creative ventures
responding to current needs and forging new frontiers in education. Much has
changed since Assumption University opened its doors in the 19th century.
However, as university education enters the 21st century, one thing remains the
constant and central focus of Assumption University, as expressed in the
University s motto and the motto of the Basilian Fathers. |
![]() |
