Mohawk College honoured six highly respected academic, industry, and community leaders with special recognition during this week's spring Convocation ceremonies.
"Each of the leaders honoured this week has made a significant impact in their respective fields. Their efforts have resulted in stronger, healthier companies, institutions, and communities," said Mohawk College President and CEO Ron J. McKerlie. "By demonstrating the positive influence one person can have in their career, these Distinguished Fellows serve as inspiration for Mohawk College graduates who are setting out on their own career journeys."
Mohawk College's Distinguished Fellows make invaluable contributions to the college through academic advisement, student engagement, community outreach, and strategic advisement to the college's senior leadership team. Participation in the Distinguished Fellow program is by invitation only. The title is conferred, and service to the college is recognized during Convocation ceremonies.
Since 2012, Mohawk College has honoured 67 community leaders as Distinguished Fellows.
2023 Distinguished Fellows
Melissa Farrell - President & CEO, Halton Healthcare
Distinguished Fellow
Melissa Farrell is a health system leader who is passionate about building integrated care and making sure people have the support they need from all parts of the health system. Prior to joining Halton Healthcare, she was president of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and had a long and distinguished career largely focused in the public sector.
Linda Franklin - Chair, William Osler Health System
Distinguished Fellow
Linda Franklin recently retired as the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario and was previously CEO of the Wine Council of Ontario. As well as serving as the chair of the William Osler Health System, she is a member of the board of Niagara College, The Post Secondary Education Quality Assessment Board, and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council.
Stacey Hill - Indigenous Liaison Officer, Hamilton Police Service
Distinguished Fellow - Honorary Diploma
A Mohawk College alumnus, Stacey Hill is the first Indigenous liaison officer for Hamilton Police Services. She has worked for HPS for more than 25 years, serving as a patrol officer in the east end, and now works closely with Hamilton's newly formed Indigenous Consultation Circle to assist Indigenous people in navigating contact with police.
Victoria Mancinelli - Director Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships LiUNA
Distinguished Fellow
Through outreach and education, Victoria Mancinelli promotes economic independence, strengthens unionized labor, and promotes skilled trades as a first-choice career. She has served on the Exhibition Board of Governors, the Ontario Task Force on Women and the Economy, the United Way Women's United Council, and the advisory council for a Coalition for a Better Future and Creating Alternatives Day Program.
Dr. Michael Noseworthy - Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, McMaster University
Distinguished Fellow - Adjunct Professor
A full professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University, Dr. Noseworthy is the Associate Chair (Research) for the McMaster Department of Medical Imaging. In this role, he has been a huge supporter of The Centre for Integrated and Advanced Medical Imaging (CIAMI) at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences campus, a partnership between Mohawk and McMaster.
Michael Schwenger - Chairman Emeritus, StressCrete Group
Distinguished Fellow
Michael S. Schwenger initially worked for and, in 1981, purchased StressCrete Ltd. He expanded the business from eight employees to a group of companies with more than 500 employees. He has served as Board Chair of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and the Carpenter Hospice. In 2015, his family established the Schwenger Family Foundation.
For more information on our 2023 Distinguished Fellows and to view past recipients.
