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Know a great person?

Nominate a star from any field for Concordia’s highest non-academic honour, the Loyola Medal
August 1, 2013
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By Jake Brennan

Source: Advancement and Alumni Relations

Know someone whose contribution to society merits recognition? Nominate them for Concordia’s Loyola Medal.

Nominations for the prestigious award, the highest non-academic honour, close on September 30.

That the accolade is only presented once every few years “makes it extra special,” says Nancy Wada, an alumni officer with Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations. 

She coordinates the nomination process and its related event, which will take place in spring 2014. She sees some interesting  and diverse nominations cross her desk.

Roméo Dallaire Roméo Dallaire, past recipient of the Loyola Medal | Photo courtesy: Concordia University

“You get everyone from astronauts to engineers to radio personalities and philanthropists — a very broad spectrum,” she says. “We certainly have no lack of choice.”

“It doesn’t have to be an alumnus, it doesn’t have to be academic, but it does have to be someone who has had a major impact on the community and society,” adds Donal Ryan, L BComm ’67, who has been president of the Loyola Alumni Association since 2009.

The medal was conceived in1961 by the Loyola Alumni Association and the Administration of Loyola College. It was born as a Canadian counterpart to the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, itself inspired by the Golden Roseaward, an ancient papal honour bestowed on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

In the original wording, the recipient was to “have illustrated the ideals of the Catholic church” without necessarily being of that faith. Since 1989, criteria was broadened and now reads as follows:

  • Recipients shall be outstanding citizens as evidenced by their character and life philosophy and who have made a significant contribution to Canada. They shall embody the ideals and spirit which characterized Loyola College.
  • Recipients will be individuals whose receipt of the award will bring prestige to both the Concordia and Loyola names.

Ryan, who chairs the nominating committee that makes a final recommendation to Concordia’s Board of Governors, says that the criteria are demanding, but the competition is quite open. “Backgrounds and areas where nominees have made an impact are as varied as the list of past recipients.”

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