UBC Journalism celebrates graduating class of '25 - School of Journalism, Writing, and Media

In a milestone celebration on May 21, 29 aspiring journalists received their Master of Journalism degrees from the University of British Columbia.

The School of Journalism, Writing, and Media buzzed with pride and excitement as faculty, staff, family and friends gathered to celebrate the class of 2025’s remarkable journey. These graduates navigated rigorous coursework, produced compelling stories, and mastered the evolving landscape of modern journalism.

Distinguished awards were presented to outstanding graduates, recognizing exceptional reporting, innovative storytelling, and contributions to journalism that went above and beyond.

The list of awards and recipients continues below.

Graduation 2025 - Bonnie Gill & Susan M. Boyce

Graduation 2025 - Bonnie Gill and Peter Klein

Graduation 2025 - Emily Blatta and Susan M. Boyce

Graduation 2025 - Husein Haveliwala

Beverley Straight and Hal Straight award winner Husein Haveliwala

Graduation 2025 - Abbey Bilotta

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Graduation 2025 - Master of Journalism award winners: Gabi Tarc; Paula Espinosa; Megavarshini Somasundaram Gnanasundari; Bismah Mughal; Anabella Klan Harrington

Graduation 2025 - Chaimae Chouiekh

Hal Straight Gold Medal and Prize in Journalism
A gold medal and prize for the most outstanding graduate student in Journalism has been endowed by Beverley J. Straight and Robert H. Straight in honour of their father, Hal Straight, who was an editor, managing editor, and publisher for over 50 years.
Recipient: Husein Haveliwala

Susan M. Boyce Graduate Scholarship
The award is given every year to students for demonstrating dedication to preserving the value and integrity of the written word. The Susan M. Boyce Award has been endowed by Roy Barnett in honour of his sister, Susan M. Boyce. Susan is a longtime Vancouver-based journalist and a firm believer in the need to support and mentor aspiring writers in this exciting career.
Recipients: Emily Blatta; Bonnie Gill

Master of Journalism Award
The School of Journalism, Writing, and Media offers this award to recognize journalism graduates whose work contributes to cultural inclusion and equity.
Recipients: Paula Espinosa; Megavarshini Somasundaram Gnanasundari; Bismah Mughal; Gabi Tarc; Anabella Klan Harrington

The Rafe Mair Prize in Journalism
For producing the best published work of public-service journalism while attending the master’s program at the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media. The Rafe Mair Award was endowed by The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group in honour of Rafe Mair.
Recipient: Abbey Bilotta

The Helen Badenoch Scholarship
The Helen Badenoch Scholarship is offered to a student who has produced proficient works of local journalism in the fields of community health and journalism
Recipient: Tia Sacks

George Sakellaridis Memorial Scholarship in Journalism
This scholarship has been made available annually through a gift from the estate of Mary Sakellaridis (1936-2020) in memory of her husband, George Sakellaridis (1915-2004) for outstanding graduate students in the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media with a focus on arts and cultural writing.
Recipient: Bonnie Gill

Brian Truscott Memorial Award in Business Journalism
Established by Gabriella Stern, a close friend and colleague of the late business journalist Brian Truscott, this annually funded award is offered to an outstanding student enrolled in the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media with an interest in business journalism.
Recipient: Prisca Tang

Vancouver Sun David Baines Scholarship in Journalism
The scholarship has been endowed by Vancouver Sun reporter, David Baines for a student in the Master of Journalism program specializing in business journalism. The award is made on the recommendation of the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Recipient: Chaimae Chouiekh

Dona Logan Scholarship
The scholarship has been endowed by friends and family in honour of Professor Donna Logan, Founding Director of the School of Journalism as it was known at the time. The award is offered to a student in their final year of the Master’s of Journalism program who holds the highest overall average in their previous year of study and who has indicated an interest in pursuing a career in investigative journalism.
Recipient: Sandrine Jacquot