A celebration of journalistic excellence

Broadcast journalism award winners Pam Gruetzmacher, Laura Hatton, Babar Tahirkheli, Mariam Zahir, Matt Adams, Ghinel Bozek, Andrea Molnar, Ian Doyle and Dave Coulson are joined by Rogers Radio representatives John Hinnen (fourth from left) and Mike Collins (right) at the 2010 Conestoga College journalism awards gala. Photo by Dave Chidley

Conestoga journalism students, faculty and guests celebrated their accomplishments on March 25 with a dinner and awards ceremony that saw more than $38,000 in awards and scholarships presented to winning students. The award winners and honorable mentions were:

1. The Cambridge Times Award for Best News Photo: Alex Cooke (winner); Justine Reist (honourable mention)
2. The Cambridge Times Photo for Best Feature Photo: Nicole Hannusch
3. Guelph Mercury Award for Best News Story: Janelle Scheifele (winner); Michelle Sommer (honourable mention)
4. Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Videography Community Service Award: Rod Penway
5. NOW Media Best Videography Award: Andrea Molnar
6. Faculty Award for Best Writing by a Student in Year 1: Thomas Parent
7. Faculty Award for Most Promising Videographer: Brian Thiel
8. CJOY/Magic FM News Radio Announcing Award: Ian Doyle
9. Sony Canada Best Sports Photo: Mitch Muir (winner); Freeman Carter (honourable mention)
10. Rogers Best Television Report Award: Laura Hatton
11. CTV Southwestern Ontario Digital Media Award: Rod Penway
12. Signal-Star Sports Award for Best Game Coverage: Mitch Muir
13. 570 News Radio Reporting Award: Lori Owen
14. Faith FM Radio Feature or Documentary Award: Babar Tahirkheli and Mariam Zahir (winners); Michelle Velasquez (honourable mention)
15. Edward J. Hayes Award for Best Feature Story: Alex Cooke
16. Most Promising Newswriter, First Year Journalism Print: Lisa Olsen
17. Most Promising Newswriter, First Year Journalism Broadcast: Patrick Finnigan (winner); Hilary Eastmure (honourable mention)
18. Best News Reporting, Videography: Kyle Lowry
19. Best Arts/Entertainment Story, Print: Freeman Carter (winner); Nicole Hannusch (honourable mention)
20. Ross Weichel Award for Best Editorial or Opinion Piece: Greg Cowan
21. Best Feature Story, Videography: Ashley Lewis
22. Carl Fletcher Award for Best Sports Reporter: Greg Cowan
23. Ken MacKenzie Memorial Bursary: Andrew Foscarin
24. Andy Dugan Memorial Award for Most Dedicated Student: Alex Cooke
25. Alumni Association Award of Excellence, Journalism Print: Janelle Scheifele
26. Alumni Association Award of Excellence, Journalism Broadcast: Babar Tahirkheli
27. Alumni Association Award of Excellence, Videography-Broadcast Journalism/Documentary: Bryan Thiel
28. School of Media and Design Best Television Report: Kaitlyn Hynes
29. School of Media and Design Best Videography Award: Leah Bell
30. CTV Broadcast Journalist of the Year: Mariam Zahir
31. Waterloo Region Record Award for Journalist of the Year: Greg Cowan
32. Rogers All-News Radio Stations Student Academic Grants: Ian Doyle, Dave Coulson, Andrea Molnar, Pam Gruetzmacher
33. Rogers All-News Radio Station Student Scholarships: Laura Hatton, Mariam Zahir, Babar Tahirkheli, Matt Adams, Ghinel Bozek

Rogers Scholarships: a great reason to choose Conestoga College

At our March 25 awards banquet, nine hard working journalism-broadcast students will receive the single largest scholarship donation in the college’s history.  Local radio stations in the Rogers Radio Group, owned by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., have donated an initial $33,000 to Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, to assist deserving students prepare for careers in radio journalism.

Of this initial donation, $8,000 is from 570 News of Kitchener-Waterloo and $25,000 from 680 News of Toronto. The 570 News commitment of $8,000 will continue annually until 2014, while the 680 News commitment will also continue in subsequent years, although the amount of their donation will be determined year-to-year.

The number of awards presented each year is determined by a selection committee that reviews all applications, but applicants may be eligible for either a scholarship of up to $5,000 or an academic bursary of up to $2,000.

Applicants will be assessed on their record of academic achievement, extracurricular activities that demonstrate commitment to the profession and who display an interest in a career in radio newscasting.

In announcing the donation, Mike Collins, General Manager and Sales Manager for the Rogers Kitchener Radio Group, said, “A number of graduates from this program have come to us and helped drive our business, which in this region is 570 News. We need to find and encourage good, young talent, who have the skills we’re looking for. These individuals are certainly coming out of Conestoga.”

The Rogers Radio Group consists of seven all-news format radio stations across Canada – British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and the Maritimes.