Know a selfless Canadian? Nominate them for Concordia’s Loyola Medal

Samantha Nutt, a humanitarian and founder of War Child Canada; Clara Hughes, a six-time Olympic medalist and mental health advocate; and Oscar Peterson, LLD 79, a household name for his contributions to jazz music. What do these great Canadians have in common? All are recipients of the Loyola Medal, one of Concordia's highest honours.

Created by the Loyola Alumni Association in 1961, the Loyola Medal was a way to recognize outstanding leadership and achievement by Canadians. The Medal was first presented in 1963 to Georges P. Vanier, BA 1906, former governor general of Canada and an alumnus of Loyola College — one of Concordia’s founding institutions.

The award is now bestowed every two years to an outstanding Canadian citizen who has made a significant contribution to the country, bringing prestige to both the Concordia and Loyola names.

“The Loyola Medal is a beautiful continuation of the Loyola history within Concordia,” says Leisha LeCouvie, senior director of Concordia’s Alumni Relations. “The description of the award winners represents what Loyola College was, its sense of community. When you speak to Loyola grads — the last class was in 1973 — this award has emotional significance.”

John Limeburner, BComm 68, president of the Loyola Alumni Founding Chapter, agrees. “Recipients reflect the ideals and spirit of Loyola College, namely through service to others and concern and respect for other persons,” he says.

“The Loyola Medal allows Concordia to honour a deserving individual and, in so doing, to provide a role model for both the university community and the community at large.”

LeCouvie notes that award winners in recent years stand out as humanitarians. “Clara Hughes, for example, and her work with Bell Let’s Talk Day, was one of the early athletes to come out and speak about anxiety, to make a national call for help,” says LeCouvie. 

“Samantha Nutt and James Orbinski are such passionate medical doctors, both in different ways, but similar in that they see beyond the practice and look at medicine as a true calling.”

President of Médecins Sans Frontières from 1998-2001 — heading the organization's missions in Zaire in 1996-97 during its refugee crisis and Rwanda during the 1994 genocide — Orbinski was awarded the Loyola Medal in 2017. Other notable recipients include Canada’s first female astronaut Roberta Bondar in 2009 and retired senator Roméo Dallaire, LLD 13, in 2006.

Limeburner believes the Loyola Medal provides much needed recognition to those with a selfless spirit. “Society has to find more ways to celebrate and recognize those who have given of themselves to help and support those in need,” he says. “The Loyola Medal is a grand opportunity to do just that. The recipients exemplify these selfless activities and provide inspiration for others to find their own way to do what they can to enhance society and the lives of others.”

Do you know someone deserving of the Loyola Medal? Learn about the nomination process. Nominations are due by February 1, 2021.