In the news: From patient to practitioner
An outstanding Hamilton business leader who is also a dedicated community builder and college champion is the first to receive Mohawk College’s highest honour.
The inaugural Mohawk College Fellowship will be bestowed on Blair McKeil during this afternoon’s Convocation Ceremony. The Mohawk College Fellowship recognizes individuals who provide outstanding support to Mohawk, champion the college in the community and advance the college’s mission, vision and values.
McKeil is Chairman and CEO of McKeil Marine Limited, a Hamilton-based and family-owned company that provides innovative marine transportation solutions and special project support to customers across the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Eastern Seaboard and Canadian Arctic. McKeil leads a team of 300 employees, including nine Mohawk graduates and two summer students, with operations based in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.
In the Fall of 2011, McKeil Marine and the McKeil family donated $1 million to support Mohawk’s Fennell Campus Renewal Project and establish academic merit scholarships and financial need bursaries for students. McKeil was also appointed Mohawk’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence and mentored students throughout the year. In November 2011, Mohawk’s Faculty of Business was renamed the McKeil School of Business.
McKeil Marine and the McKeil family also support hospices throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre in Newfoundland. Through McKeil Cares, employee donations to local charities and causes are matched by the company.
In addition to receiving the Mohawk College Fellowship, McKeil will receive an honorary Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and deliver the Convocation Address to the McKeil School of Business graduating class of 2012.
QUOTE:
“Mohawk College is proud to recognize Blair McKeil for his outstanding accomplishments as a business leader and for his remarkable contributions as a community builder and college champion. Because of Blair, Mohawk is an even better place to learn and our community is an even greater place to call home.” – Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac.