SURREY, BC – Sportsnet has donated $250,000 to the journalism program at Vancouver’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), the largest gift in the history of the school’s Journalism and Communication Studies Department.
The first $100,000 of the gift will create six annual scholarships and awards to assist students interested in sports journalism, and provide them with opportunities to explore digital and multimedia techniques over the next five years.
Among the annual awards is a $5,000 scholarship that will send a student to cover a major North American sporting event, while another $5,000 award will allow a student to travel the continent, researching a major issue in sports and its impact on athletes and society in general. An additional four $2,500 scholarships will be available annually for the next five years to students enrolled in KPU’s journalism program.
“Canada is home to some of the best and brightest minds in the sports media industry, and Sportsnet is thrilled to help KPU provide cutting-edge educational opportunities for up-and-coming sports journalism talent,” said Scott Moore, Rogers’ president of Sportsnet & NHL properties, in the news release. “Success is being prepared for when the opportunity presents itself – and we are deeply committed to supporting education opportunities for youth and young adults, particularly when it comes to technology, innovation and the future of sports media in Canada.”
“Sportsnet’s generous gift will push our journalism program in the vanguard of an increasingly dynamic and digital industry," added KPU president and vice-chancellor Dr. Alan Davis. “This is truly a big win for KPU and we want to thank Sportsnet for this donation. It will have a huge impact on our program and our students.”
In photo, from right: Rogers’ Scott Moore and KPU’s Alan Davis with two KPU students.
