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MMJC student Griffin Jaeger named 2022 Joan Donaldson CBC News Scholar

By Alice Yin, FIMS Communications Staff

March 23, 2022

griffin jaeger headshotGriffin Jaeger has always enjoyed storytelling. From writing story books as a kid to falling in love with community theatre, Jaeger loved discovering compelling characters and learning about what interested and motivated them. When he entered university, Jaeger’s passion for storytelling found a path in journalism – a path which will now take him to parts of Canada he’s never seen before.

A current Master of Media in Journalism and Communication (MMJC) student, Jaeger is one of 12 aspiring journalists from across Canada to receive this year’s Joan Donaldson CBC News Scholarship. Over the course of 16 weeks this summer, he will gain valuable hands-on experience in all areas of multimedia and multi-platform news at CBC Toronto and New Brunswick.

"I’m looking forward to learning amongst a group of talented journalists from all across the country - learning from others' experiences is awesome, and I'm so excited to meet and get to know everyone," said Jaeger. "A diverse range of experiences is a storyteller’s best friend."

Jaeger is no stranger to meeting new people and uncovering their stories. As a first-year undergraduate student at Western studying Media, Information & Technoculture, he joined WesternTV, the University’s former campus media network, as a campus reporter. Interviewing talent, covering breaking campus news and current trends in the Western Community, he found a home at the network for the next four years.

"There’s something about the compelling nature of visuals that takes an audience on a journey and brings them on scene. It allows them to really understand and connect with the characters involved," says Jaeger, who received the Western Television Reporter of the Year Award from 2018-2020 and the Legacy Reporter Award in 2019. "I love using video to bring stories to life."

Griffin street interview with four western students
Jaeger identifies an interview with radio host Shannon Burns as a moment that has really stuck with him – and helped him discover the power that storytelling holds.

"She spoke a lot about her personal experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in media - which actually inspired me to explore my own identity and embrace my individuality," he says.

"To me, that’s the true power of storytelling – when readers and viewers can connect and find themselves within compelling storylines. Those are the stories that I aspire to tell – the stories people can connect with that ultimately leave them feeling inspired and seen."

Jaeger shares his passion for stories with his grandfather, who worked in media as a photographer for many years. "He and I always bonded over our love for visual storytelling," revealed Jaeger. "He constantly shared advice and inspiration with me from his experiences, and I’ll forever cherish those moments."

Jaeger’s interest in storytelling and journalism only grew as he progressed through his MIT degree – leading him to the MMJC program at FIMS.

Now as a 2022 Donaldson Scholar, Jaeger has the chance to explore a whole new range of experiences in the world of multi-platform news. He’ll be working on a variety of projects in mediums from video to radio to digital news, and learning the ropes in several different units in CBC newsrooms in Toronto and New Brunswick.

While looking forward to enhancing his skills with the CBC this summer, Jaeger also has his eye on the future.

"I’ve always said that I would love to host my own morning show – and tell the stories that go with your morning coffee. Maybe I’ll make it happen someday," says Jaeger.

"Whatever the future has in store, I’m ready for it!"

For more information about the Joan Donaldson Scholarship, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/joandonaldsonscholars