We are proud to celebrate the eleven Langaran nominees and winners at the prestigious 2025 Webster Awards, which celebrate excellence in journalism in British Columbia across print, broadcast, and digital media. Among the nominated were three instructors and eight alumni.
Langara College’s Journalism program was well represented at the 2025 Webster Awards on Monday, November 3, 2025. Eight Langara alumni and three instructors were nominated for their impactful work in news reporting, investigative journalism, and more.
The awards are named after the legendary Jack Webster, one of Canada’s most distinguished and influential reporters whose career spanned nearly seven decades. The Websters are the premier awards honouring the work of journalists across print, broadcast, and digital media in British Columbia.
“It means a lot that Langara grads are represented among the award nominees each year as our program continues to contribute to the industry and society,” says Barry Link, department chair of the Journalism program. “And it's thrilling to have the nominees represent alumni ranging from veterans with decades of experience to recent grads who've proven they belong in journalism. They've all worked hard and deserve the recognition they are receiving.”
Recent graduate Koralee Nickarz (Journalism ‘25) is already making a name for herself, having completed a Read-Mercer Fellowship with Global BC this summer. She received a coveted Student Journalism Award at the ceremony.
Link adds, “Koralee richly deserves this award. She's yet another student who thrived during our intensive and hands-on program and proved she's capable of working in any newsroom. We give [students] the skills, training, and mentorship; then watch them take off and it's awesome to see this happen.”
Three instructors – Kim Bolan, Effie Klein, Rich Lam – were also nominated for their exemplary work. “We have a great department of instructors who work in the industry. The award nominations reflect the respect they get from their peers and the real-world connections and experience they bring back to our students,” explains Link.
Langara nominees (bolded), winners (*), and the categories in which they were nominated are:
BEST NEWS REPORTING OF THE YEAR – PRINT/DIGITAL
A family and a festival: How Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day tragedy unfolded
Brieanna Charlebois, Chuck Chiang, Darryl Dyck, Darryl Greer, Ashley Joannou, Rich Lam, Nono Shen, Brenna Owen
The Canadian Press
BEST NEWS REPORTING OF THE YEAR – TV/VIDEO
Neglected and Ignored: How Authorities Failed to Protect 3 Children
Michele Brunoro
CTV Vancouver
Lapu Lapu Day Tragedy *
Sophie Liu, Chris Gailus, Marsha Gabriel, Joan Marshall, Soren Jensen, Alicia Van Dyck, Grace Ke, Emily Lazatin, Rumina Daya, Catherine Urquhart, Sarah MacDonald, Angela Jung, Alissa Thibault, Troy Charles, Nic Amaya, Clayton Little, Pat Bell, Steve Lyons, Chris Allard, Wayne Hancheruk, Luca Sgaetti, Dylan Baker, Dora Huang, Keith Whitter, Effie Klein, Tyson Stanley, Justin Minshull, Jason Pires
Global BC
EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT REPORTING
Rising temperatures will require billions to cool aging apartments
Gordon Hoekstra
Vancouver Sun/Province
EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE REPORTING – PRINT/DIGITAL
Belonging: A Nisga'a Journey Home
Courtney Dickson, Wawmeesh Hamilton, Megan Stewart, Shawn Foss
CBC Vancouver and cbc.ca/bc
EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE REPORTING – RADIO/AUDIO
The Early Edition Live with the Squamish Nation
Alan Regan, Julia Lipscombe, Stephen Quinn, Lisa Christiansen, Charis Hogg, Laurence Watt, Anna Park, Jennifer Wilson, Liam Britten
CBC Vancouver
EXCELLENCE IN FEATURE REPORTING – TV/VIDEO
At What Cost? The Legacy of Florence Girard *
Sophie Hansen, Emily Dineen, Lauren Accili, Lisa Kovtun
BCIT News
EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH REPORTING
Extended Leave *
Mike Hager, Kathryn Blaze Baum
The Globe and Mail
EXCELLENCE IN INVESTIGATIVE AND ENTERPRISE JOURNALISM
Pointing fingers: Who should help homeowners whose properties are deemed unsafe over landslide risk
Gordon Hoekstra
Vancouver Sun/Province
Brianna’s Story
Michele Brunoro
CTV Vancouver
EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL JOURNALISM
Murder for hire: Why B.C. police target the shooters, but those behind the hits operate with ‘impunity’ *
Kim Bolan
Vancouver Sun/Province
Interested in telling the stories that shape our society? Learn more about Langara College’s two-year Journalism diploma program and register to attend an upcoming information session.
