Oct 31, 2013
Vancouver, BC – Langara students and alumni joined the top journalists in the province at the 2013 Jack Webster Foundation Awards last night. Five Langara Journalism alumni and one current student were honoured for their remarkable journalistic achievements.
Simi Sara, host of The Simi Sara Show on CKNW, was awarded the prestigious City Mike Award, recognizing BC's Commentator of the Year. Sara, who graduated from Langara's Journalism Program in 1993 and recently received an Outstanding Alumni Award, said she was deeply honoured and credited the Journalism Program with setting her on a path in life that has allowed her to do a job she loves.
In addition to Sara's recognition, four other Langara Journalism graduates were members of newsroom teams that won awards: Glen Korstrom and Jennifer St. Denis with Business in Vancouver, who won for their coverage of business issues in the May provincial election; Mike Hager with the Vancouver Sun, who won for his coverage of the Amanda Todd story; and Gordon Hoekstra, also with the Vancouver Sun, who won in the Digital Excellence category for his coverage of political contributions and lobbyists.
"It is deeply satisfying to see so many generations of Langara Journalism graduates be rewarded for their contributions to the field and to see our next generation encouraged as they take up the flag in this important profession," said Frances Bula, Journalism Department Chair.
In addition to the alumni honoured at the event, current student Andrea Anthony took home a Jack Webster Student Journalism Award. Anthony, currently enrolled in the eight-month certificate program, is one of five students to receive a $2,000 scholarship.
"I am so grateful for the Jack Webster student journalism award and for the chance to meet many well-established journalists," said Anthony. "The Websters were an inspirational night of celebrating journalism with BC's best journalists."
Jack Webster, one of the BC's best-known journalists, left a legacy of more than 40 years of insightful, accurate and uncompromising reporting in print, radio and television. The foundation was established in 1986 to recognize and encourage excellence in journalism. Each year, an awards dinner is held to celebrate those breaking ground in BC-based journalism. For more information, please visit www.jackwebster.com.
Journalism Information Session
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about journalism, please attend our upcoming information session on Thursday, November 7th, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.
About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With over 1,700 courses and 130 programs offered, Langara's expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path.
Learn more:
Sylvia Tan
Communications Officer
Langara College
604.323.5961
stan@langara.bc.ca