The Ambassador Yearbook has a long history that connects Assumption College and the University of Windsor (founded in 1963).
The Ambassador provides a glimpse into the history of our institution and provides us with a window into life at Assumption College and the University of Windsor during some of the most turbulent and transformative periods of the past century. Feel free to read, browse, and share this content. It is available here for the years: 1939-1941, 1945, 1947-1977.
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The Ambassador: 1963
University of Windsor
Includes a supplement.
Life at a University, iust as life itself, is somewhat of a puzzle, a helter-shelter jumble of pieces which, without order has no meaning. Just as a puzzle is, at first glance, befuddiing, so too is the University to the incoming Freshman whose dazed expression reflects his bewilderment. As the student is initially confronted with the maze of courses and activities of the college curriculum, he is able to see the pieces of the puzzle unfold before him. In time, confusion lessens as the pieces — the arts and sciences, the theories and techniques, philosophies and fellowships are sorted, studied, and put in their proper place. ‘ Progress is slow and unsure at first, but with the miracle of inquisitive intellect and guiding hand of mature wisdom, he makes his way. And as piece after piece falls into place, understanding replaces bewilderment and achievement builds confidence.
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The Ambassador: 1964
University of Windsor
The new University of Windsor has its roots firmly planted in the traditions which nourished Assumption College when its doors were first opened by the Basilian Fathers on February 10, 1857. Affiliation with Western University, London, Ontario in 1919, changed Assumption's old curricula from a preparatory for admittance to seminaries into an integral part of the University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Co-education came to the campus with the arrival of Holy Names College in 1950. University status was achieved in 1953. Essex College three years later with its facilities in Memorial Science, the Annex, and the Essex College Engineering Building affiliated with the University College physically present in Dillon Hall. An Anglican Liberal Arts College, Canterbury College next joined the University in 1957. The addition of a new library and the University Centre marked the coming of age for Assumption University.
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The Ambassador: 1965
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor will not operate in a vacuum, but in a community with strong roots, both multi-racial and non-denominational." These are the profound words of the second President of the University of Windsor, Dr. J. Francis Leddy, to whom we, the student body of the University of Windsor, dedicate this edition of the Ambassador '65. In the short time that he has been with us, Dr. Leddy has already acquired many new friends and his charming personality and friendly smile have been an asset to all those associated with him. With Dr. Leddy's installation to the office of President, a new era has been ushered in for the.University of Windsor. We, the students, wish to express our gratitude for his unfailing devotion in the maintenance of this era.
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The Ambassador: 1966
University of Windsor
At the conclusion of my first Annual Report as President of the University of Windsor, I made the following general observations: "Universities differ one from another almost as much as individuals do, partly because of the accidents of history and of the part which staff, students and alumni play in the building of unique traditions. The University of Windsor has attracted much attention in the past two years by reason of its very unusual evolution. Inevitably, now that it has emerged as a non—denominational institution, under its charter of 1963, it will begin to move in directions perhaps only dimly apparent a few years ago. Through its federated and affiliated institutions it continues to draw strong and essential support from those who cherish the Christian contribution to the liberal arts. At the same time, through the availability of much increased provincial support, the university is now able to expand its work in the professional areas and in post-graduate studies, with every prospect that it will rapidly complete the full transition, now under way for some years, from the status of a liberal arts college to that of a fully diversified university.
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The Ambassador: 1967
University of Windsor
Includes a supplement.
To two nations. the Bridge spans the busy Detroit River. and provides ' our University with a cosmopolitan sophistication unique in Canada. while teaching "a lesson of peace to all nations".
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The Ambassador: 1968
University of Windsor
Includes a supplement.
The year is over. Did you learn anything? Are you a better person? Where are you going? . . . . . Participate a little more next year . . . . . Don’t confine your education to the classroom, or your educational goal will not be fulfilled. The time for reflection, on the past and the future is now. Enjoy your summer, but pause now and then to realize who and what you are. See you all in September.
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The Ambassador: 1969
University of Windsor
Includes a supplement.
To meet the Editor’s deadline I must write these lines when the 1968—1969 term is not yet one—third over, before the record of the year can be safely predicted, much less assessed. It is becoming evident, however, that, with the completion of the first five years of the University of Windsor, since it received its charter in 1963, we are entering a new phase in which the earlier preparation and reorganization are beginning to produce their full effect. The most striking indication of this fact is the sharp increase in enrolment this year, about 28%, well above the projection, and much higher than the percentage of overall increase in Ontario.
As a result of this otherwise welcome development, we have had to endure some uncomfortable crowding in most of our general buildings, but this situation should be completely relieved by the current construction of a classroom wing, of the new residence and dining halls, and of the Law School building. A major addition to our library is also in immediate prospect.
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The Ambassador: 1970
University of Windsor
Includes a supplement.
I write at the New Year, when the news media are taken up with reflections on the past decade, and many comments note significant changes in Canadian universities. Such observations have a particular application to this university which, in 1960, was operating under denominational auspices, with an enrollment of 1,000. Discussions about future structure were just beginning, and the great increase in enrollment, — as it turned out, five-fold in ten years — was only dimly perceived. Few had any suspicion of the tremendous changes of the 1960’s, with new faculties, departments, and programs at the honours and postgraduate level. And few could have predicted the major shifts of opinion across a wide spectrum of fundamental issues, prompted by developments within Canada and abroad.
At this moment in history, there is much puzzling evidence that there is a flight from reality, a passing enchantment with the irrational, however fanciful, on the part of many, especially younger people. A pessimist might find the sudden surge of interest in astrology, the ancient Chaldaean superstition, to be a symptom of our age. Against this background, the traditional role of the university, in emphasizing the importance of evidence for the formation of responsible opinion, becomes even more important. There are times when l would settle for this as the function of the university, even to the neglect of any other! At the University of Windsor we have not ignored this aim, especially in our efforts during the past year to involve an increasing number of students and staff in the determination of university procedures and policies. The process is not yet complete, but I would single it out as the achievement of the past year.
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The Ambassador: 1971
University of Windsor
During the past year the universities of Ontario have been the object of increasing discussion in the various news media, on public platforms, and on the floor of the Provincial Legislature. Inevitably, much of the comment has tended to come under the heading of complaints or criticisms or anxious inquiries. Some people have been worried by charges of Americanization of programmes of study and of faculties. Others have questioned the effort and the expense devoted to graduate studies, at a time when Ph.D.’s in certain areas of specialization are finding it difficult to secure a suitable position. Still others have expressed concern about the total cost of higher education in the Province, evidently fearing that, if expansion continues at the present rate, important social and medical services will be deprived of essential funds. And lately there has emerged a disposition to question the belief that every qualified and ambitious student should find a place in a university, an assumption hitherto almost universally accepted. Some of these shifts of opinion are certainly unwelcome, yet, from another point of view, they must be regarded as a tribute to the importance of the universities in Canada today. Ten years ago there was little comparable attention on the part of the public. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be required, repeatedly, to re-examine the basic policies of higher education in Canada, particularly when there are impressive and substantial arguments on behalf of the universities. I am entitled to add, with pleasure, that the role of the University of Windsor is very widely endorsed in our own community, as we learned when our recent drive for funds achieved a success far beyond that of any similar university campaign elsewhere in Canada in recent years. Throughout the world there is a concern to debate the function of the university, both with respect to the needs of the individual and to the claims of society. Some theories brought forward in this connection achieve swift acceptance, but after a brief period of popularity drop out of discussion, and it is not always clear whether we are dealing with the wave of the future or only the undertow of the past. However, it remains my personal conviction that any discussion of university matters must be judged essentially defective if it does not concede a prior emphasis to the individual. This is the basic preference which we seek to achieve at the University of Windsor.
