OTTAWA – Several talented students were recognized for their hard work and dedication on November 6 with the presentation of industry-sponsored scholarships at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) 81st Annual Convention.
The CAB Jim Allard Broadcast Journalism Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Kenyon Wallace, who is enrolled in the Master of Journalism program at Carleton University in Ottawa. Established in 1983 by the CAB in memory of T.J. Allard, this $2,500 scholarship recognizes students who “best combine academic achievement with natural talent.” Jim Allard was CAB Executive Vice-President from 1953 to 1973.
The BBM Canada Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Philippe Marcotte, a graduate student in the Department of Communications at Université Laval in Quebec City. Established in 1986, this $4,000 award is given to a student enrolled in a graduate studies program “to ensure that there will be an investment in the development of individuals, skilled and knowledgeable in research, who may be of future benefit to the Canadian broadcast industry.”
The Astral Media Scholarship was awarded to Mr. Philippe Orfali, a Journalism student at the Université du Québec à Montréal. This annual $5,000 scholarship is given to a Francophone student who is a member of a visible minority or who is Aboriginal and residing in Canada, and who is pursuing university studies in the area of broadcasting.
Additionally, Felicia Hsuen-Ling Yap of Calgary, Alberta, is the recipient of the Global Television Scholarship Award for a Canadian Visible Minority Student. This year’s recipient of the Global Television Aboriginal Peoples’ Internship Award is Morgan Barrett of Wilmer, British Columbia and Scott Best of Winnipeg, Manitoba is the recipient of the Global Television Scholarship-Internship Award for a Canadian Student with a Physical Disability. The Global Television Broadcasters of the Future Awards are a series of scholarships, internships and mentorship programs designed to encourage and aid talented and enthusiastic Canadians pursuing careers in Canadian broadcasting.
As well, the Ruth Hancock Scholarship Foundation announced that it awarded $1,500 scholarships to three students: Sarah Glen; Carolyn Marie Smith; and Esteban Vargas. The CAB, the Broadcast Executives Society (BES) and the Canadian Association of Broadcast Representatives (CABR) sponsor the scholarships.
Winning applicants must demonstrate strong character and leadership qualities, a willingness to assist others and a genuine interest in pursuing a broadcasting career. Their commitment is reflected through involvement in extra-curricular activities related to broadcasting or broadcast sales and marketing, or through self-initiated undertakings.
Sarah Glen who is currently studying in the Communication and Culture Joint-Graduate Program of Ryerson and York Universities, in Toronto. She chose to pursue graduate studies after spending three years sharing her journalism skills with street-involved youth. Sarah volunteers with Recreate Art Studio, a non-profit art therapy organization that works with youth in Hamilton. She sees a role for media professionals, particularly those in broadcasting, to use their skills to help create a space for youth to interact with their communities.
Carolyn Marie Smith who is a Journalism student majoring in Broadcasting at Ryerson University, while also interning at Q107/AM640 Toronto Radio. Carolyn, or “Carly”, has been recognized for her hard work, her great intelligence, and her natural leadership abilities. Her course director at Ryerson has said that she is “bound for success in broadcast journalism.” Carly has indicated that her long-term goal is to produce her own news/talk radio show on AM640.
Esteban Vargas who is now studying Communications at Concordia University in Montréal. He has considerable experience working with Montréal’s CHOM-FM, CJAD-AM and Mix 96, where his dedicated efforts in a variety of areas earned the respect and appreciation of his colleagues and managers. Through his involvement in a number of documentary-related projects, Esteban has discovered the positive impact the media can have within society. As a result, he would like to pursue this interest in documentaries and take it further.
Ruth Hancock was universally admired in the Canadian broadcasting industry for her diligence, her enthusiasm, her fair-minded approach and her willingness to help others personally and professionally. For 12 years she was manager of the Toronto office of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, and executive secretary of both the Broadcast Executives Society and the Central Canada Broadcasters’ Association. In 1973, Ruth Hancock joined the CTV Network as Director of Promotion and Public Relations, and was appointed that same year as the executive assistant to the President of CTV. She passed away in December of 1973. The criteria on which applicants are judged best exemplify the admirable qualities of Ruth Hancock.
The Broadcast Executives Society is a forum for the broadcast industry. Its members host a wide range of networking, social, educational and charitable activities. The objective of the BES is to augment professionalism and knowledge. The Society has approximately three hundred members: representatives from radio, television and cable, broadcast sales executives, film producers and distributors, advertising agency personnel, advertisers and other executives involved in the business of broadcasting.
The Canadian Association of Broadcast Representatives was founded in 1950 as a non-profit cooperative organization whose mission was to promote the interest of national broadcast sales companies and today has evolved to promoting the interest and values of broadcast sales representatives. Broadcast sales representatives are sales people who specialize in selling broadcast airtime to advertising agencies and their clients and directly to advertisers.
Every year, in collaboration with its members, the CAB offers scholarships to talented Canadian broadcasting and communications students. These prestigious scholarships help further students’ education and boost their prospects for an exciting, rewarding career in Canadian broadcasting.
