J. Gerald Hagey

J. Gerald Hagey was born in Hamilton. He graduated from Waterloo College (of the University of Western Ontario), joined B.F. Goodrich, Kitchener, where he became advertising and public relations manager. In 1953, he was appointed president of Waterloo College (Wilfrid Laurier University). When the University of Waterloo was founded in 1957, he became its first president and vice-chancellor. He retired in 1969 and was appointed president-emeritus.

Hagey received an honorary doctor of law degrees from Susquehanna University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Sir George Williams University, Montreal, the University of Western Ontario, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo. He was president of the Association of Canadian Advertisers (1951) and a charter member of the K-W Sales and Advertising Club. He was named K-W Citizen of the year (1968) and a member of the Order of Canada (1986). The J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities at the University of Waterloo is named in his honour.