Fall 2025

Dear Friends,

I welcome you to Assumption University – one of the oldest institutes of higher learning in Canada.

As we begin the new academic year, we warmly invite you to take part in our many planned events.

We are fortunate to welcome a new team member, Mr. Michael Brown who is our inaugural Dialogue Coordinator. Mr. Brown will help with our many interfaith and ecumenical activities, but also expand and create new ones to better serve our community. Engaging in dialogue with our neighbours and community members is an integral part of Assumption’s identity. On that note, I encourage you to join Assumption University and the University of Windsor’s Division for Student Affairs as we host our second annual Interfaith Prayer Day for Peace on September 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the CAW Centre Commons (Main Floor). All are welcome.

We will host our annual Red Mass on October 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Mr. Peter Hrastovec will be receiving the St. Thomas More Gold Medal for his distinguished legal and community work, particularly in the arts. Again, all are welcome to attend this special Mass. Our Chancellor, Bishop Ronald Fabbro, CSB will be celebrating the Red Mass along with several priests from the diocese.  We are particularly grateful to those who have made donations in honour of this special Mass, which will be used to support our education and campus ministry programs.

For the Fall 2025 term, we are offering a new course called, “Catholicism and Marginalization” taught by Dr. Heejung Cho. The course will explore how the Church can better welcome individuals who have often felt without a voice, including women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and racialized and LGBTQ+ communities. I also congratulate on six scholarship winners for this term. I know that you are each deserving of these awards and will continue to excel in your studies at Assumption.

Again, I welcome you to Assumption University and encourage you to join us as we continue our near 169-year legacy of teaching goodness, discipline, and knowledge.

Sincerely,

John Cappucci, Ph.D.

President and Vice-Chancellor

About the President – Dr. John Cappucci 

In 2024, Dr. John Cappucci was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of Assumption University becoming the 29th leader of the university since its founding as Assumption College in 1857. He was formally installed on June 29, 2024 by the Most Reverend Ronald Peter Fabbro, CSB, Bishop of London and Chancellor of Assumption University. In assuming this role, Dr. Cappucci became the first layperson to become President since Assumption’s founding over 168 years ago. The position has historically been reserved for members of the clergy. Prior to his appointment as President, Dr. Cappucci served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor from 2020 to 2024 and Interim Principal from 2019 to 2020. In 2025, Dr. Cappucci was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to Canadian society, namely in building bridges with various faith communities.

In this role, John focused on academic revitalization, partnerships, community engagement, and targeted fundraising. These efforts have increased Assumption University’s profile in the past two years. John has worked to expand Assumption University’s undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2022, a new Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies was launched. The program is considered a hiring asset by eight school boards in Ontario and received the support of both the Bishop and Superior-General of the Congregation of St. Basil. In order to provide academic oversight that is key to any academic institute of higher learning, John successfully restored Assumption University’s Senate in 2022. In 2024, the first graduates of this program crossed the stage to become Assumption University’s newest alumni.

He worked to expand Assumption’s Board of Governors to incorporate diverse skillsets and experiences. Under John’s leadership, Assumption became the second Canadian university to be admitted as a member of the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations. John’s dedication was recognized by his fellow principals and presidents leading to his selection as Chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada (ACCUC) in 2022. Prior to his selection as Chair, John served as Vice-Chair from 2020 to 2022. In April 2024, he completed his term as Chair of the ACCUC and serves in the advisory role as Immediate Past Chair. In 2025, for his work in building bridges with various faith community, Dr. Cappucci was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. The medal is awarded to Canadians who have many significant contributions to Canadian society.

John holds a Ph.D. from Carleton University; a Master of Arts from Queen’s University in Kingston; and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Windsor. John also has an active research agenda with refereed publications in Journal of Contemporary Antisemitism, Contemporary Jewry, Canadian Jewish Studies, Fieldwork in Religion, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, and the Journal of Shi’a Islamic Studies. His most recent article on the perception of antisemitism in the Diocese of London was published by the Bulletin for the Study of Religion.  His research has also been discussed by local and regional media. In addition to his research record, John also have taught courses from across the humanities and social sciences resulting in top teaching scores. He has also served on graduate committees mentoring a future generation of academics.