named in honour of Fr. Eugene Carlisle LeBel, CSB (1899-1986) who served as the last president of Assumption College, first president of Assumption University in 1952, and the first president of the new University of Windsor in 1963. The award is conferred on individuals who have rendered outstanding service to Assumption University. The selection of recipients is at the sole discretion of the principal. The award is not necessarily awarded annually. The last recipient of the LeBel Award was Dr. Carl Cohen, Q.C. in 2022 on the occasion of Assumption University's 165th anniversary. Christian Culture Series The Christian Culture Series was founded in 1934 by Fr. Stanley Murphy, CSB with the purpose of highlighting the role culture plays in contemporary Christian life. The series welcomed prominent speakers from a host of backgrounds and perspectives. In 1941, the Christian Culture Series Gold Medal was established from this program and presented to an individual who exemplifies Christian ideals in his or her daily life. Since its founding in 1941, the gold medal has been conferred upon novelists, poets, historians, academics, politicians, scientists, theologians, and athletes. The gold medal depicts a human hand and a mustard plant with the inscription in Latin, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed” (Matthew 13: 31). The hand suggests the human cooperation expected by God in the coming of the Kingdom. The mustard plant is used by Jesus as a symbol of the Kingdom’s power to grow. On the back of the medal is inscribed the name of the Medalist and the year and the words, “Christian Culture Award, Assumption University.” The university recently announced that the Honourable Graydon Nicholas will receive the gold medal in April 2023. Past recipients of Christian Culture Series Gold Medal (1941 - ) Sigrid Undset Jacques Maritain Henry Ford II Paul Martin Sr. Barbara Ward, Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth Dorothy Day Marshall McLuhan Rosemary Haughton Jean Chrétien Martin E. Marty Eugene Whelan Dominique de Menil Dennis Archer Paul Martin Martin Sheen Charles Taylor Cokie Roberts Luke Willson Michaëlle Jean Notable teachers (Assumption College) Frank Anthony DeMarco, coach, professor, multiple administrative appointments: 1946-1986 (retired from the University of Windsor) Wyndham Lewis, painter, novelist, critic, poet, playwright, biographer, editor, essayist: Summer, 1943-August 1945 Marshall McLuhan, educator, philosopher, scholar: 1944-1946 Paul Martin Sr. (1903–1992), federal politician and statesman: n/a-1935 Notable alumni (Assumption College) Fred Thomas (1946-1949), multi-sport (baseball, basketball, football) athlete Hank