Mohawk College celebrates 30 years of Alumni of Distinction
Mohawk College's Alumni of Distinction Awards recognize graduates who are making a difference in their careers and communities.
Tracing its roots back to 1996, the annual event has grown into an unforgettable evening of connection, celebration and fun, with the college marking the awards' 30th anniversary at LIUNA Station last week.
Since the awards were established, 208 graduates have received the distinction, representing a select group among Mohawk College's more than 180,000 alumni.
Three decades of excellence
The inaugural celebration recognized four graduates in a small gathering in the college's Fennell Campus cafeteria. This year's event, presented by belairdirect, brought together more than 200 alumni, college leadership, and supporters, as well as approximately 30 past recipients — including Ray Simmons, one of the original 1996 honourees.
While the celebration has evolved, its purpose remains unchanged: recognizing graduates whose achievements and contributions are making a meaningful difference.
"For 30 years, Mohawk College has maintained a tradition of recognizing alumni who have leveraged their Mohawk College education to achieve excellence in their careers and make a difference in their communities," said event emcee Jonathan Vize, a 2005 Journalism and Communications graduate and 2017 Alumni of Distinction recipient.
Celebrating the impact of Mohawk College graduates
Throughout the evening, recipients reflected on their Mohawk College experiences and lessons learned throughout their careers, recognizing the people who helped them succeed. Their messages emphasized the importance of embracing change, building meaningful relationships, staying open to learning and giving back to their communities. Many expressed gratitude to the faculty, mentors, colleagues, friends and family members whose encouragement and support helped shape their journeys.
Health Sciences Award recipient Lisa De Panfilis spoke about her commitment to improving healthcare for Indigenous communities in Canada's North. "I feel called to do so, and I know I have a deep responsibility to continue this work in improving access and quality of care in rural and remote places in Canada," she said.
Business Award recipient Andrew Cote reflected on the importance of mentorship and the people who contribute to personal and professional success. "Looking back over the last 25 years, I've learned that success is never achieved alone. It's the result of countless individuals who invest their time, share their wisdom, and believe in you," he said.
The 2026 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients are:
- Terri Johns – Skilled Trades Award
- Adam Ayers – Science, Engineering & Technology Award
- Hussein Rumaithi – Cultural & Creative Achievement Award
- Amanda Engelhardt – Recent Graduate Award
- Joseph Apps – Entrepreneur Award
- Lisa De Panfilis– Health Sciences Award
- Jeremy Inglis – Community Services Award
- Andrew Cote – Business Award
Inspiring future generations
The celebration also recognized the next generation of Mohawk College graduates. Each of this year's eight honourees will have a scholarship established in their name to support a Mohawk College student, creating opportunities for future leaders, innovators and community advocates.
Do you know an incredible Mohawk College graduate who should be honoured with this prestigious award? Nominations for the 2027 Alumni of Distinction Awards are now open, with submissions closing January 31, 2027.