Journalism News & Notes

Adrienne ArsenaultAdrienne Arsenault receives honorary degree
Award-winning journalist and MAJ alumna, Adrienne Arsenault, received an honorary degree from Western on November 1, 2013. Western conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.), upon Arsenault in recognition of her distinguished career as a journalist.  Adrienne also stopped by North Campus Building in the morning, prior to her appearance at Convocation, to have a Q&A with current students, and visit with staff and faculty.

Adrienne's convocation address is available on YouTube.


Jim HandmanJim Handman announced as next CanWest Fellow
The journalism program will welcome Jim Handman, one of Canada’s leading science journalists, as the 2013-14 CanWest fellow.  During the winter semester, he’ll be offering journalism students an elective course on the challenges of reporting on scientific and environmental issues. For the last 14 years, Handman has been a producer of the award winning, CBC Radio science show, Quirks and Quarks. He’s also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Science Centre of Canada.



Mark KearneyJournalism instructor Mark Kearney receives Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Mark Kearney was among four FIMS faculty members to receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at a reception on September 26, 2013.  Mark is a part-time instructor for the program and has taught print journalism since 2007.  The Award for Excellence in Teaching is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the academic development of students in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.



Steve ChaoSteve Chao comes for a visit
Award-winning, veteran television correspondent Steve Chao visited the program on September 12, 2013, to speak with students about his experiences in journalism.  Known widely for his work with Al Jazeera in Kuala Lumpur and CTV in Beijing, Chao told the story of how he first became interested in journalism and shared tales of his most harrowing moments in the business.


Cate CochranCate Cochran delivers guest lecture
The program welcomed CBC Radio Producer Cate Cochran as a guest lecturer in September.  Cate is currently a producer at The Sunday Edition on CBC Radio. She is the winner of several international awards for radio documentaries, is the author of Reconcilable Differences: Marriages End, Families Don’t (Second Story Press), is a free-lance writer for magazines and newspapers, and a former art director at several national magazines.  Cate brought along examples of her work at Sunday Edition and talked about where to find stories (her advice to students: mine your life) and the importance of treating your interview subjects, who are trusting you to tell their stories, with respect and care.


New profiles available in the Alumni Gallery Distinction
The Journalism Alumni Gallery of Distinction, a project launched last year, has new profiles available.  New to the Gallery are Kim Bolan ('84) of the Vancouver Sun, Peter Edwards ('82) of the Toronto Star, Edward Fraser ('04) of The Hockey News, John Ibbitson ('88) and Kate Taylor ('85) of the Globe and Mail, Tracy Moore ('00) of CityLine, Colin Perkel ('84) from The Canadian Press, Steven Bull (’09) and Chris Irwin (’93) from CBC Sports, and Christina Spencer ('80) of Postmedia News. Visit the Gallery to read all the available profiles.


Students and faculty work together to produce promotional video
MAJ students and faculty worked together recently to create a promotional video which illustrates the strengths and key features of the journalism program.  Students Madeline McNair, Tyler Buist and Rebecca Field worked closely with Jeremy Copeland, Erin Carroll and Paul Benedetti to produce the work, which has been posted to the journalism website.  Pass along the link and help us promote the program!