May 1, 2013

Vancouver, BC – Langara is pleased to announce this year's winners of the Jeani Read-Michael Mercer Fellowship. Journalism graduates Jules Knox and Steven Chua are the recipients of $10,000 each to help launch their careers.

Knox, 30, won her fellowship for a proposal about electronic health records and the potential privacy issues they can raise. Her journalism training will be put to use at The Province. Chua, 25, won his fellowship for a proposal about the special challenges people of ethnic minorities face when they suffer from mental illness. He will be taking his talents to CBC British Columbia this spring.

"Jules and Steven will undoubtedly learn a lot and contribute greatly to the field," said Nick Read, Journalism Instructor. "It is hard for beginning journalists to break into the business. This fellowships will give them an entreé into journalism that they wouldn't have had otherwise."

Last year's winner, Carly Wignes, worked with Canadian online magazine The Tyee to write a series of articles that focused on how territorial disputes and treaty settlements affect First Nations communities. Read more about her work.

About the Felllowship

The Jeani Read - Michael Mercer Fellowship for Journalism Students was established to encourage students to continue their pursuit of journalistic excellence through mentorship. This endowed scholarship fund provides two scholarships annually worth $10,000 each. The successful applicants will receive support from a mentor for approximately three months while they produce a major work of journalism, such as an in-depth newspaper story, or series of stories suitable for publication in a newspaper, magazine, or on the web. Journalism students may apply for this award in their final term. Mentor partners for the 2013 awards are The Province newspaper and CBC Radio One. Students may apply for either the print project or the radio project, or both projects. One winner will be selected for each project. Projects will begin following the completion of the Spring Term, 2013.

About Langara's Journalism Program 

Langara's Journalism Program has earned a reputation as the top school for intensive, hands on training that leads to exciting careers in the media and related fields. Students gain the varied skills important for success in a multimedia world. Langara's graduates get jobs on daily and community newspapers, radio and TV stations, websites, magazines, and public relations firms. 

Learn more.

Nicholas Read
Journalism Instructor
T 604.323.5867
nread@langara.bc.ca