Mohawk’s school of business was recently given a major financial boost - and a new name.

In a ceremony Thursday in the i-wing Rotunda, the school celebrated the $750,000 donation made by McKeil Marine towards the business program. It also rechristened the program the McKeil School of Business in honour of the company.

Chairman and CEO Blair McKeil took to the podium to say that the gift is not only a donation; it’s an investment in the future of Hamilton business.

“The bottom line is that Mohawk College successfully and simply prepares students to be willing, ready and able to work in various business communities right at the starting date,” he said. “This is a win-win for the students, the college, the employers and our community at large, and it’s a wonderful thing.”

McKeil, who called Mohawk ‘the best community college in the country’, also said local community colleges are important for

“To me, community colleges are the fabric of the business of life. They’re creative, and I am thankful for that.”

In a written statement Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac said that the money donated will help students prepare for post-graduation.

“Your investments in our college will help future-ready Mohawk graduates excel in the business of life,” he said. “We are honoured to name our School of Business in recognition of a successful, entrepreneurial company that, like Mohawk, is proud to call Hamilton home.”

Rick Court, Dean of International Education, presented a short video entitled “Who is McKeil Marine?”, outlining the identity of the business making the large donation. He said that the renaming is “transformational” for the School of Business.

“It gives us an identity that is separate and distinct form the college, kind of like the DeGroote School of Business is different from McMaster University,” he said. “It’s great, plus the money doesn’t hurt at all.”

McKeil Marine already has many ties to the college through employment, with eight graduates working at the company. Sozanny Chea was one current student on hand to present McKeil with a gift from the business students. She says the donation will help the future and reputation of the school in general.

“The donation means a lot because you’re investing in the Mohawk graduates and investing and believing in the programs that we study here, that we offer here, the whole community and environment at Mohawk, and overall the whole status of Mohawk graduates,” she said.