Renowned journalist and broadcaster Peter Mansbridge is donating $100,000 to the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM) to foster the next generation of journalists.
Mansbridge hosts The Bridge on Sirius XM
The endowment from the long-time host of CBC’s The National will support Master of Journalism students who show great promise as future journalists.
The funds will go towards career and learning opportunities, including support for students on national and international for-credit internships, and those who need funding to complete deep reporting for long-form or investigative journalism.
The University of British Columbia is one of three institutions across Canada supported by Mr. Mansbridge, with Carleton University in Ottawa and the University of King’s College in Halifax each receiving $100,000.
“As we watch the landscape of journalism change, I was motivated to invest in this national idea,” said Mr. Mansbridge.
“There are distinctions in the awards which will be in place at each university. The aim is to encourage the best in quality, emerging journalistic talent, and I’m confident these great institutions will use these funds to do just that.”
“Generous and timely”
Mansbridge is best known for his five decades of work at the CBC (Photo: Rachel Nixon)
Peter Mansbridge, an officer of the Order of Canada, has enjoyed a nearly 50-year career at the CBC, including a distinguished three-decade engagement as chief correspondent for CBC News.
He has won dozens of awards for outstanding journalism, has thirteen honorary doctorates from universities in Canada and the United States, and received Canada’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Canada, in 2008.
“This gift is both generous and extremely timely,” said Dr. Kamal Al-Solaylee, director of the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media.
“Mr. Mansbridge recognizes the challenging outlook that Canadian journalism is facing at the moment and has decided to invest his money to support the next generation of Canadian journalists as they make the transition from schools to newsrooms.”
