Policy Number: SS-3000-2014
Policy Title: Special Recognition Awards Policy
Policy Owner: Registrar
Effective Date:
Last Revised:
On this page:
- Purpose
- Application and Scope
- Definitions
- Principles
- Accountability and Compliance
- Rules
- Policy Revision Date
- Attachments
- Specific Links
1. Purpose
Consistent with its values and commitment to active citizenship, Mohawk College, through its Board of Governors, has a long-standing tradition of acknowledging distinguished service to the College, and the community, by an individual or organization with the presentation of special recognition awards.
This policy outlines approaches and criteria for recognizing outstanding service to the College and the community by an external organization or individual.
2. Application and scope
This policy applies to all staff, students, internal and external members of the College community and external College contributors. Special recognition awards consist of student recognition and awards (non-monetary), graduate awards, staff awards and community member awards.
3. Definitions
“Awards” are awarded to recognize outstanding service to the College or Community.
“Citation” is an official document, or speech, that praises somebody’s actions, accomplishments or character.
“Calls for Nomination” is a specific point in time where eligible nominators are contacted to submit an award nomination.
4. Principles
College medals and awards are bestowed to students who achieve distinction in several segments of College life and demonstrate leadership qualities.
Acknowledgement of internal and external members of the College community supports the College’s strategic priorities.
Acknowledging employees and recognizing external contributors to the College ensures quality programs and facilities, builds and enhances the reputation of the college and cultivates an innovative, College and community that recognizes excellence.
5. Accountability and Compliance
5.1 Accountability Framework
This policy has been approved by the Senior Leadership Team.
5.2 Compliance
The Registrar and Vice President, Communications & External Affairs are responsible for monitoring this policy and ensuring compliance.
6. Rules
6.1 Nomination and Selection
The Registrar’s Office is responsible for Student Awards which includes the determination of the recipients for the graduate medals and for issuing the calls for nomination of the Outstanding Achievement and W.K. Warrender student awards.
The Office of the President is responsible for administration of the Community Awards which include issuing calls for nomination to members of the internal college community at appropriate points in advance of presentation and review dates and, when applicable, convocation ceremonies.
The Call for Nomination for Special Recognition Awards will be made based on established timelines, with submissions received through an online application where possible.
The Office of the President will notify the recipients of the Special Community Recognition Awards. Logistics for awards recognition at a convocation ceremony is managed jointly between the Registrar’s Office and the Office of the President. Any awards presented outside of convocation will be coordinated by the Office of the President.
6.2 Nature of the Awards
Awards will be presented with a citation, when applicable, highlighting the recipient’s eligibility criteria. A printed copy of the citation and certificate signed and sealed by the appropriate College staff will be presented to the individual. For awards presented at a Convocation ceremony, the citation will be conveyed when the award is presented.
The Registrar’s Office is responsible for approving the final submitted citation for convocation purposes, preparing the printed citations and securing appropriate signatures.
6.3 Student Awards
6.3.1. Governor General’s Academic Medal
The Collegiate Bronze medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest cumulative average upon graduation from a diploma level, full-time postsecondary program with minimum two year duration. The recipient must have no failing grades at the College. One medal is presented annually to a recipient at a Convocation ceremony on behalf of, and in the name of, the Governor General. The College is responsible for inscribing the winner’s name on the certificate and providing the recipient’s name to the Chancellery immediately after presentation.
6.3.2 Graduate Medals
Students who have successfully completed their current graduating program of studies for diploma and certificate programs, and are deemed clear to graduate, with no holds on their account, will be awarded the appropriate credential. Students attending a Convocation ceremony will have a Liripipe bestowed on them by the Vice President, Academic and receive their credential. Graduates not attending a Convocation ceremony will have their credential mailed to them following their Convocation. Returned or unclaimed credentials will be destroyed after 5 years.
6.3.3 Outstanding Achievement Award
This Award is granted to graduates who achieve distinction in every segment of College life and demonstrate traits which set an example for fellow students. They will have proven involvement in activities that contributed to the enhancement of College, local and global community life. Recipients will have maintained a minimum 80% GPA and be in good academic standing. The Registrar’s Office will manage the entire awards nomination and selection review process. The Call for Nominations will be sent to the academic areas and will be based on convocation ceremony timelines; submissions will be received through an online form.
6.4 W.K. Warrender Award
This award is named in honour of the late William Kenneth Warrender, the first Chair of Mohawk College’s Board of Governors and a major contributor to growth of the College in its early years. The award recognizes the distinguished contribution of recipients to student life during their time at the College through their dedication to their academic studies, peers and the College as demonstrated in their activities in-class and out of the class room. Recipients will have maintained a minimum 80% GPA and be in good academic standing. The Registrar’s Office will manage the entire awards nomination and selection review process. The Call for Nominations will be sent to the academic areas and will be based on convocation ceremony timelines; submissions will be received through an online form.
6.5 Community Member Awards
6.5.1 Distinguished Fellow Program
The program recognizes successful members of the community who make a meaningful contribution to the College and represents a strategic initiative to extend the College's outreach in the community. The program encourages the involvement of seasoned leaders, supports the strategic growth and academic excellence of the College, ensures continued successful momentum in fundraising and enhances the corporate networks that are essential for viable applied research projects. Participation in the program is by invitation only and the title will be conferred and service recognized at Convocation. It represents the highest honour bestowed upon individuals by the college, to recognize their invaluable contributions to Mohawk in significant ways, including academic advisement and student engagement, community outreach, and strategic advisement to Mohawk’s senior leadership team.
Distinguished Fellow: When appropriate, the President will bestow a Distinguished Fellow title to individuals who make invaluable contributions to the College in significant ways, including academic advisement and student engagement, community outreach, and strategic advisement to Mohawk’s senior leadership team. Through outstanding professional achievement, expert status within their profession and proven business acumen, the distinguished recipient will be highly respected within and beyond the communities served by the college. Recipient will be recognized at Convocation, with hooding, and will be the ceremony guest speaker.
Distinguished Fellow – Adjunct Professor: When appropriate, the President will confer the title of Distinguished Fellow – Adjunct Professor on individuals whose contributions support applied research or academic initiatives undertaken or planned by the College. Recipients will have made a significant contribution in an area of specific expertise, for which he or she is renowned and of particular benefit to the academic directions of the College. The distinction will be conferred with the bestowal of a College hood as a symbol of recognition. Recipient will be recognized at Convocation, with hooding, and will be the ceremony guest speaker.
Distinguished Fellow – Honorary Diploma: When appropriate, President will confer the title of Distinguished Fellow – Honorary Diploma on individuals whose contributions were invaluable in advancing the College’s mandate in research, teaching or lifelong learning. All of the aforementioned Distinguished Fellow qualities apply as per the two previous categories.
6.5.2 President Emeritus
The title of President Emeritus is reserved for former Mohawk College presidents who provided outstanding and distinguished service to the college. Recommendation for the honour will be reviewed by the current President and the Mohawk Executive Group. The title of President Emeritus will only be eligible once a president has not been employed by the college for five (5) years. The distinction will be conferred with the bestowal of a College hood as a symbol of recognition. Recipient will be recognized at Convocation, with hooding, and will be the ceremony guest speaker.
6.5.3 Friend of Mohawk College
The Friend of Mohawk College award was granted prior to the establishment of the Distinguished Fellows recognition. Future Friends will be recognized under 6.5.1. The title was bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in supporting the College and the community. The recognition was bestowed at a signature event as determined by Mohawk Executive Group.
6.6 Alumni of Distinction
These awards recognize graduates for their career achievements and community contributions that provide an exceptional source of inspiration for future generations. Nominations are accepted each year from October to mid-February. They are reviewed by an external committee and recommendations are brought forward to the Mohawk Executive Group for final review and approval. The awards are presented at an annual event.
6.7 Premier's Awards
The Premier's Awards for graduates of Ontario's colleges recognize the important social and economic contribution college graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. These awards are coordinated through Colleges Ontario.
Chosen from nominations submitted by Ontario’s 24 colleges, nominees demonstrate outstanding career success related to their college experience and have made a significant contribution to their community. The individual’s career achievements will be given top priority. Annually Mohawk College puts forth nominees to Ontario's Premier's Awards. The Mohawk Executive Group reviews nominations from the list of Alumni of Distinction nominees. Every year, submissions are accepted in June.
6.8 Employee Awards
6.8.1 Everyday Hero
Mohawk Everyday Heroes are peer nominated awards recognizing an employee who goes above and beyond in their day-to-day work. Anyone working at the college is eligible, including faculty, support staff, admin staff, contracted employees and students working through the Campus Student Employee Program. Nominations are reviewed by the Mohawk Executive Group and presented throughout the year.
6.8.2 Mohawk Award of Excellence
The Mohawk Award of Excellence is the college’s highest honour for recognizing individual employees. Three (3) Awards of Excellence are presented annually to an outstanding faculty member, support staff employee and administrative staff employee. Nominations are received between February and May and award winners are reviewed in June. These awards are awarded annually at a special event, usually the President’s Breakfast in August.
7. Policy revision date
7.1 Revision Date
November 2029
7.2 Responsibility
The Registrar and Vice President, Communications & External Affairs are responsible for monitoring this policy every five years or more frequently in response to feedback from the College Community.
8. Attachments
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