Corneil succeeds Fr. Thomas Rosica who has served as the university’s president and vice-chancellor for the past three years.

Corneil said he is excited to join the university at such an important time in its history.

“Assumption has 150 years of service in Catholic higher education in Canada,” he said. “I hope to be a part of an overall plan to serve the needs of the Catholic student community and the needs of Catholic higher education in the Diocese of London.”

Corneil said Rosica approached him in the fall asking if he would consider the position. After talking to his family and discerning the offer, he accepted the appointment in early December.

“This was a major decision both for me as well as for Assumption University,” said Corneil. “I felt remarkably calm throughout the whole process. It was as though God was offering me an opportunity to step forward and serve.”

Corneil is currently the executive director of St. Peter’s Seminary and the director of the Institute for Catholic Formation in London, Ont. Before this, he worked as an associate professor and vice president of administration at Newman Theological College and St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton.

“I have had the great opportunity over the last 10 years to serve both as an administrator and as an instructor in Catholic higher education and ministry formation,” said Corneil. “I think that this combination will provide me with a good foundation for taking on the role at Assumption.”

Assumption University is a Catholic university within the University of Windsor. Its dates back to 1857 when it was founded by the Jesuits.

Under Rosica’s leadership, the university strengthened its Catholic Campus Ministry Program, re-launched its Christian Culture Series and solidified its board of governors. Rosica also oversaw the sale of the university’s historic buildings to the University of Windsor and re-established Assumption Hall as an integral part of the University of Windsor campus.