Two Carleton journalism students are among the recipients of the prestigious Joan Donaldson – CBC News Scholarship.
Marc-André Cossette, a second-year master of journalism student and Patrick Butler, an undergraduate in the fourth year of the program, will join the ranks of what CBC considers to be the best and brightest young journalists for a four-month paid internship at various locations across Canada.
Patrick Butler, fourth-year bachelor of journalism student
“It’s a huge honour, really. I grew up listening and watching CBC, so it’s just so exciting to be able to say I’ll be working there soon,” says Butler, originally from Conception Bay South, N.L.
“For a soon-to-be graduate, I can’t imagine a better opportunity to start doing journalism.” Butler, whose work has appeared on CBC Radio and TV, and in iPolitics, the St. John’s Telegram, J-Source, The Overcast and the French-language monthly Le Gaboteur is currently working as a features writer with the Ottawa Citizen.
The Donaldson scholarship, named after the late CBC journalist, Joan Donaldson, one of the founders of CBC Newsworld, rewards students who have shown exceptional academic performance along with an aptitude for journalism. The selection committee, which included Mark Mietkiewicz, senior manager for CBC News staff development, also looks for students who are engaged with the world around them through community participation or travel.
“I’m extremely honoured and grateful to have been selected by the CBC. I can’t wait to get started and make the best of this tremendous opportunity,” says Cossette.
“In many ways, the CBC is where I learned what makes exceptional journalism. I’m just thrilled to have this opportunity to contribute to its important work.”
Marc-André Cossette, second-year master of journalism student
Raised in Ottawa, Cossette is a bilingual, multimedia journalist committed to telling stories that matter.
In summer 2016, Cossette interned at the CBC’s London bureau, producing coverage of the Brexit referendum, the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, and the Paris floods. Back in Canada, Cossette has produced segments for CBC’s The House and articles for the CBC Politics digital desk. His work has also been published by Maclean’s, Postmedia and other outlets. He currently works as an on-call reporter with CBC Ottawa.
Many former Donaldson Scholars are now building their careers in Canadian media. Former recipients from Carleton include Priscilla Hwang, who currently works at CBC North in Yellowknife, Philippe de Montigny, now with Radio-Canada Ontario, and Julia Sisler, who currently works at CBC Ottawa.
Each year, the CBC selects up to eight students for the Donaldson scholarship from undergraduate and graduate journalism programs at 10 Canadian universities and colleges.
[Frontpage photo ©loozrboy, via Flickr creative commons]
Thursday, February 16, 2017 in Journalism News, News
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