Mohawk College will recognize five highly respected community and business leaders with special recognition as Distinguished Fellows of Mohawk College at the college's spring Convocation ceremonies next week.
Mohawk's Distinguished Fellows make invaluable contributions to the college through academic advisement and student engagement, community outreach and strategic advisement to Mohawk's senior leadership team. Participation in Mohawk College's Distinguished Fellow program is by invitation only, with the title conferred and service to the college recognized during convocation ceremonies.
This year's inductees are:
Dr. Azim S. Gangji
Distinguished Fellow - Adjunct Professor
Dr. Azim S. Gangji is a nephrologist, transplant physician, clinician educator and health-system leader whose work has strengthened the connection between healthcare and education in Hamilton and beyond. As Vice-President, Academic at St. Joseph's Health System, Vice-President, Education at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, and a Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, Dr. Gangji has played a key role in advancing collaborative models of learning, including the Mohawk-St. Joseph's Living Classroom partnership, which creates meaningful opportunities for Mohawk College students to learn in real-world healthcare environments.
Dr. Gangji's leadership spans nephrology, transplantation, simulation, interprofessional education and health-system collaboration. He is Co-Chair of the Ontario Hospital Association Education Committee and has chaired national committees through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada focused on residency and fellowship programs, accreditation and CanMEDS leadership. Internationally, he has helped strengthen dialysis services, cardiovascular and kidney disease prevention, clinical training, research and healthcare workforce capacity in Guyana and other global health settings. Through his commitment to innovation, mentorship and patient care, Dr. Gangji has made a lasting impact on learners, institutions and communities locally and around the world.
The Distinguished Fellow - Adjunct Professor for Dr. Azim S. Gangji will be conferred by virtue of hooding at the Convocation Ceremony held on Monday, June 15 at 2 pm.
Rob MacIsaac
Distinguished Fellow
Rob MacIsaac is a visionary public servant, lawyer and community leader whose career has shaped municipal government, transportation, healthcare and postsecondary education across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. As a former President of Mohawk College, MacIsaac helped advance the college's role as a community-building institution and championed the importance of education in preparing the next generation of leaders. He also served as Mayor of Burlington, founding Chair of Metrolinx, and most recently as President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences, where he led a $1.6-billion health system through the COVID-19 pandemic.
A graduate of the University of Waterloo and Western University's Faculty of Law, MacIsaac holds an ICD.D. designation from the Rotman School of Business and an Honorary Doctorate from Charles Sturt University. He has chaired Ontario's Greenbelt Task Force, served on numerous boards across the public and private sectors, and been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a Paul Harris Fellowship Award and the CUI Urban Leadership Award, among other honours. Throughout his career, MacIsaac has been guided by a deep commitment to building stronger communities and supporting emerging leaders across the region.
The Distinguished Fellow for Rob MacIsaac will be conferred by virtue of hooding at the Convocation Ceremony held on Tuesday, June 16 at 9:30 am.
Dan Lawrie
Distinguished Fellow
Dan Lawrie is the Founder and Chairman of Lawrie Insurance Group, one of Canada's largest independently owned insurance brokerages, headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario. A respected business and community leader, Lawrie has built a nationally recognized company rooted in independence, integrity and a client-first approach. His longstanding commitment to Hamilton and the surrounding region has also made him a valued supporter of Mohawk College and its role in strengthening the communities it serves.
Beyond business, Lawrie is widely recognized for his contributions to the arts, culture and community development across Southern Ontario. He has supported major civic and cultural institutions, including the Art Gallery of Burlington and the Royal Botanical Gardens, and helped create public art initiatives such as the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection in Hendrie Park and the Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail. His contributions have earned him numerous honours, including Hamilton Citizen of the Year, induction into the Burlington Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and the Key to the City of Burlington.
The Distinguished Fellow for Dan Lawrie will be conferred by virtue of hooding at the Convocation Ceremony held on Wednesday, June 17 at 2 pm.
Glenn T. Gibson
Distinguished Fellow
Glenn T. Gibson is a distinguished international insurance executive, educator and community leader whose career spans more than five decades. A former Global Chief Strategy Officer with Crawford & Company, he has led complex catastrophe and major loss initiatives around the world and is widely recognized for his expertise in appraisal, arbitration and fire investigation. His deep commitment to professional education, applied learning and community leadership aligns closely with Mohawk College's role in preparing skilled graduates and strengthening the Hamilton region.
Gibson has delivered more than 500 lectures globally and authored more than 250 published articles, several of which have been cited by the Ontario Superior Court. For more than 30 years, he has contributed to specialized training programs in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. His academic and professional credentials include executive education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Fellow Chartered Loss Adjuster, Certified Fire & Explosive Investigator, Certified Fraud Examiner and Institute Certified Director designations. A dedicated civic leader, he serves as Chair of the Hamilton Sports Group Foundation and has previously held leadership roles with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His contributions have been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The Distinguished Fellow for Glenn T. Gibson will be conferred by virtue of hooding at the Convocation Ceremony held on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 pm.
Lillian Wherry
Distinguished Fellow - Honorary Diploma (Posthumous)
Lillian Wherry was born in Hamilton on Nov 1, 1920 and died Feb 1, 2025 at 104 years old. She grew up during the Great Depression which prevented her from pursuing a post-secondary education. She attended a technical school then worked in a bakery. At the age of 22, she married Robert Wherry. They both knew what it was like during hard times and were always ready to help others when they saw a need. They were devout Christians and active volunteers in many organizations their entire lives.
Robert was a welder, and he was proud of his welding skills and the important projects he had worked on. After he died in 2009, Lillian created a scholarship at Mohawk aimed at supporting students learning the welding trade. She also supported the new welding lab at the Marshall School for Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship. In 2017, Lillian was presented the Senior Citizen of the Year award by the mayor of Hamilton in recognition of her lifelong commitment to volunteering and supporting others in the community.
The Distinguished Fellow - Honorary Diploma for Lillian Wherry will be conferred posthumously at the Convocation Ceremony held on Friday, June 19 at 2 pm.
All Mohawk College Convocation ceremonies will be streamed live to the college's YouTube channel. For information on the ceremonies, visit: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/convocation-ceremonies-june-2026-graduates-dates-and-times
