Eugene Carlisle LeBel
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Eugene Carlisle LeBel, C.S.B., C.D., LL.D., was born in Sarnia, Ontario on July 27, 1899 to Eugene Albert LeBel and Catherine Mahoney. LeBel spent much of his life in Catholic schools both studying and teaching. He is best known for his “...steadfast efforts... to achieve greater academic changes” that led to Assumption College becoming Assumption University of Windsor
and later the non-denominational University of Windsor
”. LeBel was not just an academic. He also was a skilled athlete, being named “Captain and Star” of his championship winning football team at St. Michael’s and was Chaplain of the Essex Scottish Regiment in Windsor for fourteen years, including all of World War II
.
In 1917 he entered St. Basil’s Novitiate in Toronto, Ontario thus beginning a life of academic involvement. A religious man, LeBel took first vows on August 10, 1918 and a year later attended the Catholic-run Assumption College (1919–20) in Windsor, Ontario. LeBel then moved back to Toronto where he studied at St. Michael’s College for four years (1920–24) and the University of Toronto
(1924) where he received his B.A. In 1925, LeBel was ordained a priest and in 1931 he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago
and was ready to begin his career. LeBel immediately became a professor of English at the University of Saskatoon (1931–39), and later held the same post at both the University of Toronto
(1939–41) and Assumption College (1941–47). Following six years of teaching at Assumption College, the school named LeBel its Dean (1947–52), a title he would hold until Assumption College was no more. During his tenure as Dean of the College, LeBel and his administration pushed for a more open based community school of higher learning. After winning affiliation with Essex College and Canterbury College the Ontario legislature renamed Assumption College to Assumption University of Windsor
making it an official school of the community, though it was still Catholic-oriented. Reverend LeBel was named the first President of Assumption University (1952–63). The new U grew so rapidly that government largesse was necessary for survival, “Assumption would have to give way to the University of Windsor
.” This marked the official switch from a Catholic university to a public university in 1963. Again, Reverend LeBel was named the first President, this time of the University of Windsor
. He would only hold the post for one year before retiring in 1964. The famous John Francis Leddy succeeded him as President of the University of Windsor
. The Reverend Eugene Carlisle LeBel died on August 11, 1986.
Assumption University of Windsor
Assumption University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada has a heritage reaching back to 1857 and is the parent of the University of Windsor, administered by the Congregation of St. Basil, the Basilian Fathers. It was known as Assumption College until changing its name in 1956...
and later the non-denominational University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
”. LeBel was not just an academic. He also was a skilled athlete, being named “Captain and Star” of his championship winning football team at St. Michael’s and was Chaplain of the Essex Scottish Regiment in Windsor for fourteen years, including all of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1917 he entered St. Basil’s Novitiate in Toronto, Ontario thus beginning a life of academic involvement. A religious man, LeBel took first vows on August 10, 1918 and a year later attended the Catholic-run Assumption College (1919–20) in Windsor, Ontario. LeBel then moved back to Toronto where he studied at St. Michael’s College for four years (1920–24) and the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(1924) where he received his B.A. In 1925, LeBel was ordained a priest and in 1931 he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
and was ready to begin his career. LeBel immediately became a professor of English at the University of Saskatoon (1931–39), and later held the same post at both the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(1939–41) and Assumption College (1941–47). Following six years of teaching at Assumption College, the school named LeBel its Dean (1947–52), a title he would hold until Assumption College was no more. During his tenure as Dean of the College, LeBel and his administration pushed for a more open based community school of higher learning. After winning affiliation with Essex College and Canterbury College the Ontario legislature renamed Assumption College to Assumption University of Windsor
Assumption University of Windsor
Assumption University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada has a heritage reaching back to 1857 and is the parent of the University of Windsor, administered by the Congregation of St. Basil, the Basilian Fathers. It was known as Assumption College until changing its name in 1956...
making it an official school of the community, though it was still Catholic-oriented. Reverend LeBel was named the first President of Assumption University (1952–63). The new U grew so rapidly that government largesse was necessary for survival, “Assumption would have to give way to the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
.” This marked the official switch from a Catholic university to a public university in 1963. Again, Reverend LeBel was named the first President, this time of the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
. He would only hold the post for one year before retiring in 1964. The famous John Francis Leddy succeeded him as President of the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
. The Reverend Eugene Carlisle LeBel died on August 11, 1986.