Give where it means the most to you!

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As the University of Regina looks ahead to equipping the next generation of journalists and communicators with its new BA in Journalism, News Media and Communication, Degrees caught up with four School of Journalism alumni and where they're at in their exciting careers.

The University of Regina School of Journalism has a more than 44-year history of producing some of the country's most esteemed journalists and communications professionals. Filling newsrooms and communications teams alike since 1980, the J-school has helped facilitate countless internships with national broadcasters, and news outlets of all sizes.

 

Whether reporting from Washington,the Paris Games, or rewriting the narrative with Indigenous storytelling, Kerry Benjoe BA'00, MJ'20, Devin Heroux BJ'12, Kelly Malone BAJ'13, and Dani Wawryk BAJ '09 are at the top of their game in an ever-changing industry.

What do you they all have in common? Love of their jobs, a commitment to truthful storytelling, and a deep appreciation for their time at the University of Regina.

The excitement of growth and innovation

These days Dani Wawryk BAJ '09 uses her skills to showcase big stories of innovation in Saskatchewan but her foray into the art of telling stories couldn't have been more hands-on. "When I was eight, I delivered a handmade newspaper that I made called, 'Kidz' News' to 38 houses on Springstein Avenue and Litzenberger Crescent in Regina," she says. "My Dad would print it for the neighbourhood on his office printer at his autobody shop and I would fold them up like pamphlets and deliver them come snow or rain." After eight years as a journalist, the now executive director of communications and marketing for Innovation Saskatchewan says she feels like she's come full circle. "At the heart of it, I'm a science nerd," she says.

When she started at Innovation Saskatchewan in 2023, the Saskatchewan government had just amalgamated the province's two research and technology parks, located at its two universities. Wawryk helped lead the agency through a new phase of storytelling, brand-building and marketing. "I had the absolute privilege of building new strategies on the foundation of legacy," she says. Current projects that excite Wawryk include working with her team to redesign Innovation Saskatchewan's website and helping share news about U of R research projects benefitting from the agency's Innovation and Science Fund. This past summer, a total of $580,000 was awarded to three U of R research projects in nuclear energy, subatomic physics, and high-performance computing in nuclear science.

Innovation Saskatchewan also recently commissioned a report that shows the province leading tech-sector employment growth across the prairie provinces. So far, Wawryk said her role has allowed her to understand the scope of scientific excellence in the province and the minds behind it. "These people are smart, driven, and brave. Just to be close to that and share that story…it doesn't feel that far from journalism most days," she says. Wawryk's early passion for news and science coalesced in high school, when, for science fair nationals, she researched the high rate of multiple sclerosis in a Regina neighbourhood. "Here I am 17 years old on the phone with people who are telling me these incredible stories of what they've been through," she says. "Long story short, it was either science or journalism for me."

During her undergrad at the School of Journalism, Wawryk interned at the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, and was a Joan Donaldson scholar, earning a ticket to Toronto to intern at CBC News Network. The j-school, with its media ethics class, print and broadcast labs, and mentorship from industry experts, was, in her opinion, a "bootcamp for being a really good reporter." And Wawryk was a really good reporter. After a stint freelancing in Mongolia, she worked five years at CBC Saskatchewan as reporter, producer and anchor and then became director of news and public affairs for CTV News in Saskatoon in 2015, the youngest female to ever do so in Canada.

Dani Wawryk BAJ '09 at Innovation Saskatchewan

In 2018, she made the switch to communications at Vendasta, a fast-growing tech company out of Saskatoon that provides tools to companies that help small to medium businesses grow their online presence. She took pride in the way the company was helping businesses stay afloat during the pandemic with its software.

In 2022, Wawryk added a public relations certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University to her trove of education and experiences-along with the school's gold medal honour-and continues to be part of the next big thing, sharing Saskatchewan stories of innovation and the ways researchers and businesses are trying to solve the world's problems. "It's a gift and an honour to tell people's stories," she said. "If there is any place to be where you're able to transition journalistic curiosity into communications in a way where you still feel like you're part of that storytelling, I think that this is the place."

Reporting with heart

Telling compelling stories is something Devin Heroux BJ'12 has put into practice for years as a senior reporter for CBC Sports and News, most recently at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. What he recalls most about his journalism school experience at the U of R is learning how to report from a place of learning, not knowing.

"That has been the aim of everything I've done," says Heroux, who now lives in Toronto. "To explain to the audience that I'm not the expert … but in the most authentic way possible, to lean on everything I've learned and observed to try to tell the best story possible."

Heroux recalls, as a journalism student, parachuting into the small town of Mortlach, Saskatchewan to find stories that "captured the essence of the place." He discovered the remnants of a nearby ghost town that was, he says, "frozen in time," and put together a story, with the help of the locals, that painted a picture of small-town life in Saskatchewan.

"It's a piece that I was incredibly proud of," he says.

That experience and his internship at the Bangkok Post changed his perspective when it came to sports journalism. A Rider superfan who, as a teenager, worked for local sports' broadcasters in Saskatoon- interning at CBC in Saskatoon before heading to journalism school -Heroux realized that sports stories could be about heart.

Paris was Heroux's fourth consecutive Olympics as a CBC reporter, but his first as a member of CBC's Olympic broadcast team. He interviewed athletes, set scenes, and gave updates from the swimming and athletics events.

"It was the most enriching experience of my life," says Heroux. "It was magical."

A meaningful moment for Heroux was speaking with Mara and Kirby Wasserman, the parents of Jacob Wasserman, who survived the Humboldt Bronco's bus crash in 2016, and who made his Paralympic debut in Paris in para-rowing. Knowing it would be an emotional interview, Heroux was anxious when he got to Kirby, who said a few words before breaking into tears.

"What made my heart soar in that moment was that Kirby felt safe enough to cry," Heroux says.

Devin Heroux BJ'12 reporting from the Paris Olympics in summer 2024. Photo: Michel Aspirot, CBC

Heroux's ability to meet people where they are at is something he says he owes to his experience growing up as a gay kid in Saskatoon, who had to read people's energy, be a chameleon, and learn how to fit into spaces. He feels a responsibility to be "genuinely curious and caring" for those he interviews. "That is what's at stake every time I have a conversation," he says.

The collective experience of sports is a transformative thing for Heroux because of how it brings people together. "We'll never know what it's like to swim like Summer McIntosh or run like Andre De Grasse, but all of us know victory and defeat," he says. "We know loss, we know what it's like to have fears, hopes, and dreams and fall short - only to try and achieve that again in our own lives."

Heroux's empathetic approach to journalism has not gone unnoticed. On September 20 he was awarded the King's Charles III Coronation Medal in Quebéc City by the Governor General for his reporting. "I'm thrilled that the stories I share and the voices I choose to elevate are being heard," Heroux says. "I think I have the best job in the world. I am blessed everyday that the CBC gives me a platform to be able to do this."

Committed to positive Indigenous news

After a major surgery in 2018, Kerry Benjoe FNUniv'00, MJ'20 had some down time. She had lost her leg and wondered about her future as a journalist in a shifting news media landscape. As a reporter at the Regina Leader-Post for 12 years at that point, and not one to stay idle, she decided to pursue her master's in journalism at the University of Regina. "I really don't think I would have fallen back in love with journalism, had I not gone back to school," she says.

Benjoe, who is Saulteaux, Dakota, and Cree, from Muscowpetung First Nation, was the first full-time, Indigenous reporter in the Leader-Post's history when she started there  in 2006. The irony of this fact hit her every time she walked past Nicholas Flood Davin's portrait on the wall of the newsroom. Davin, the paper's founder, wrote an influential report recommending the implementation of residential schools in Canada to the federal government. Benjoe was the last person in her family to attend the Indian Industrial Residential School in Lebret, which was one of the first to open and - in 1998 - was the last to close in Canada. Her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were also residential school survivors. "I just always kind of gave [Davin] a smile," Benjoe says. "I was taking up space and I felt empowered by that because I was in a place where I was meant to be."

Benjoe's graduate research at the U of R focussed on the last generation of residential school survivors at the Lebret school(, sharing her personal story and focussing on resiliency not just hardship.

"We're more than just our trauma,'" says Benjoe.

Kerry Benjoe FNUniv'00, MJ '20. Photo: Trevor Hopkin, U of R Photography

Benjoe is editor-in-chief of EFN Media, formerly Eagle Feather News, a digital news platform and quarterly magazine, which published its first issue this summer. Eagle Feather News, which was once the most widely distributed monthly Indigenous newspaper in Saskatchewan, folded in January due to declining ad revenue. But Benjoe didn't give up on it.

"I said, 'It's not going to die on my watch!"

A month later Benjoe began conversations with Pattison Media, and in June they announced a partnership to get EFN back online as a digital news platform.

"My whole career has been in mainstream, so coming back to community news, it was really important for me to leave the baggage of mainstream media behind and just concentrate on what Eagle Feather was good at: telling positive Indigenous stories," she says.

Key to Benjoe's vision for EFN Media is the idea of partnerships, and not just with Pattison. The magazine's first issue includes stories written by students she taught at INCA Summer Institute at First Nations University. Benjoe also created a feature called Common Threads, funded by the Multicultural Society of Saskatchewan, that highlights the traditions of other cultures,

Benjoe says she wants to be "an agent of change." While she knows well the thrill of hard-hitting news-she recalls how two of her stories at the Leader Post led to swift government action on issues of missing persons in the province, and international travel for First Nations people after 9/11-what excites her the most now is sharing her skills and wisdom as a skilled journalist and industry expert when it comes to Indigenous storytelling.

"Indigenous-led news organizations have always lived in this struggle," she says, referring to the challenging times journalism is facing. "Most Indigenous news organizations have never had a newsroom.…We always worked in our silos. Now I see mainstream news flipping into what we've always done. We're becoming experts in how to tell these stories, how to be resourceful and being able to survive."

The adventure of covering history as it happens

Kelly Malone BJ'13 can only plan her life one week at a time since she hit the ground running in June as The Canadian Press' Washington correspondent..

"It's a wild time to be writing 'the first draft of history,'" Malone says, describing her work writing for Canada's national wire service, which keeps newsrooms and media across the country up-to-date on stories of national interest. Malone spent six-and-a-half years as a CP reporter in Saskatoon and Winnipeg before moving to Washington. "I just exist in a state of exhaustion at this point," she laughs.

The past four months have been a whirlwind for Malone in her new role. In a matter of weeks, in the U.S., there was an assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, the Republic National Convention took place in Milwaukee, President Biden gave a speech at NATO's 75^th anniversary, and the Democratic party revamped their campaign to back Vice President Kamala Harris after President Biden removed his name from nomination. Malone covered all of it.

"I think it was beyond anyone's expectation," she said about Harris' rise. Older Black women at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago told her they never thought they'd see a Black woman run for president in their lifetimes. "That is something that has broken a ceiling that is palpable in the United States, and is certainly palpable in the Democratic party," saysMalone.

The significance of the moment at the DNC, when Gretchen Whitmer, the Obamas, and Hillary Clinton took to the stage to address their party faithful, was not lost on Malone. "The energy in these buildings is phenomenal," she says. "It's such an amazing thing to be in that room and experience something like that."

Before journalism school, Malone was an aspiring writer, keeping the browser tabs open on her laptop by holding it outside her apartment window to reach free Wi-fi on Saskatoon's Broadway Avenue. She worked in cafes and restaurants, travelled, tree planted and freelanced.

"I lived in a van - all those things you can only do between the ages of 18 and 22, when your back doesn't hurt," she laughs.

After four years, Malone attended the U of R school of journalism, which offered her the opportunity to develop the multiple skills she needed to thrive as a multimedia reporter. She learned she could find a story anywhere when she was given a news release in her print class about a temporarily closed intersection and assigned to write a story about it. After door knocking on businesses and calling city hall, Malone wrote a story about a problematic truck route in the city causing road damage and multiple closures for businesses.

"When I wake up in the morning and I know I need to pitch something, I always think of that-'Okay, you can find a story in anything!'" she says.

Kelly Malone BJ'13 in Washington, DC, September 2024. Photo: Kelly Malone

With newsrooms across the country struggling to stay afloat in an-ever-changing industry-Vice, Bell Media, and CBC all had major layoffs this year, Malone acknowledges the grim reality and says journalists are asked to do so much more now. "The pay is stagnating, the hours are extending … and with the lack of advertising money, you're not having someone assigned to cover city hall or education board meetings," she says. "If you don't have a reporter there, you don't know what's going on."

Still, Malone remains hopeful that journalism will adapt. "I don't think journalism is dead. People have a huge appetite [for it]," she says. "Throughout history, there have been ebbs and flows of how journalism works: when radio came out, newspapers were dead; when TV came out, radio was dead. With the internet, it's just another challenge and change."

At the time of writing, Malone had a day off before taking the train to New York to cover the United Nations General Assembly. "What other job provides you the travel, the opportunity, the connection with people?" she says. "I love it so much. When I'm 80 or 90, I'm going to look back and remember all these moments."

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Every year, the University of Regina celebrates the best and brightest among its more than 92,000 alumni with the Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards (ACAAs) presented by the URAA. Established in 1992, the ACAAs were created to honour our extraordinary alumni for their outstanding commitment to excellence, community engagement and leadership, and impact on the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our communities.

We're excited to celebrate this year's ACAA recipients on Saturday, October 19th, 2024  - exactly 50 years-to-the-day since the University of Regina's first convocation! This year's recipients include inspiring educators, intrepid scientists, passionate advocates for social justice, and dedicated community volunteers.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Bryan Hillis, BA'78

Dr. Bryan Hillis has enjoyed a distinguished career as a student, educator, and researcher, beginning his careers as a lecturer at Luther College, and eventually serving as Dean of Luther College from 1995 to 2005. He was appointed President of Luther College in 2010 serving in this position until his retirement in 2020, and was appointed Professor Emeritus at the University of Regina and Luther College in 2021. Dr. Hillis has enjoyed a long and storied career teaching  in the areas of world religions, the history of Christian thought, religion in Canada, and science and religion, among others. Distinguishing himself as an academic and a leader, he has been instrumental in rebuilding Luther College High School in Regina, and refurbishing Luther College at the University of Regina.

Professional Achievement Award
Pamela Cook Ellemers BA'91, BSc'94

Pamela Cook Ellemers' career in the mining industry has spanned more than 30 years. She has held a variety of leadership roles in exploration and operations within the De Beers Group across Canada and South Africa including work in Australia, Botswana, and India. She is currently the Principal Mineral Resource Manager for De Beers Group, based in Calgary, Alberta. In addition to her technical leadership role in Mineral Resource Management, Pamela led the De Beers Canada Inclusion and Diversity working group, focused on enabling an inclusive workplace and increasing women's representation in STEM. Pamela was recognized as a WIM100 - '100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining' by Women in Mining UK, has been named a 'Top 10 Influential Women in the Mining Sector' by Mining Digital, and a 'Leading Women in Mining' by EY and Women in Mining Canada. Pamela is passionate about mentoring and about raising the awareness of geology and science among young people, in particular among young women. She loves spending time in children's classrooms sharing her passion for rocks, minerals and the positive role that mining plays in our communities.

Distinguished Humanitarian and Community Service Award
Mutangilayi "Christian" Mbanza BEd'17

Mutangilayi "Christian" Mbanza is an educator in Regina, Saskatchewan. He has been working in the Regina Catholic School Division, and is currently completing his Master's Degree in French Education at the University of Regina. Christian prioritizes cultivating diverse relationships with staff, community members, students, and parents, alongside his unwavering commitment to championing Black culture, addressing social issues, and promoting the welfare of the Afro-Canadian community. Currently, he is the community outreach director for the Black in Sask, an organization which contributes to holistic growth of the Black community in Saskatchewan by addressing systemic issues, connecting members to various networks and educating on the black experience.

Dr. Robert & Norma Ferguson Outstanding Service Award - Maria Reardon BA'69, MA'73

An active community volunteer, Maria Reardon has dedicated her working life to improving healthcare and health outcomes in Saskatchewan having served for 13 years as Director of Education with the Saskatchewan Health-Care Association (later Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations), where her focus of activity was on board and staff development. In later years, Maria became involved in the Lifelong Learning Centre, taking classes, making friends, and before long, serving as chairperson of the Seniors' University Group, now in her sixth year of renewed service on the Seniors University Group board. Maria has also represented the Lifelong Learning Centre on the Provincial Advisory Committee on Older Persons, and in September 2014 was the recipient of the Saskatchewan Senior Volunteer Award in Education, and in 2019 she received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Academic Professional Award
Dr. Bing Chen PhD'06

Dr. Bing Chen is a globally renowned leader in environmental engineering. His distinction is defined by his remarkable research, teaching, and leadership achievements. He is the founding director of the Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory and the global Network on Persistent, Emerging and Organic Pollution in the Environment (PEOPLE), hosting pioneering research and education on quantitative understanding of persistent and emerging pollution in cold regions and marine and freshwater environments, and development of integrated mitigation solutions under climate change. Dr. Chen has delivered more than 550 technical publications including over 180 refereed journal articles, making him one of the most productive and impactful environmental engineering researchers in Canada and worldwide. Dr. Chen has trained more than 100 thesis-based graduate students and postdocs. He has held various leadership roles including as president of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and vice-president of the Canadian Association on Water Quality. He has received many prestigious awards and honours, such as a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Engineering Institute of Canada, and the CSCE, and a member of the Royal Society of Canada's College and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Dr. Chen's efforts significantly benefit the wellbeing of the environment and our society, and casts broad impacts of Canadian environmental research.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Ashley Major BHJ'12

Ashley Major is a lawyer and consultant specialising in human rights, gender equality, and sexual and gender-based violence. Ashley's passion for women's rights has driven her career. Prior to law school, Ashley volunteered as a sexual violence counselor and worked as a domestic violence counselor at the Regina Transition House. She worked at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law's International Human Rights Program, and was a consultant at the Thinking Forward Network, an organization focused on migration and human rights. Over her career, Ashley's legal practice has focused on files relating to sexual and gender-based violence. She has completed work for several leading human rights organizations including UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others. Ashley currently works at Calibrate Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to transformation in justice and gender equity systems around the world.

Learn more about the ACAAs and purchase tickets! [post_title] => Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 ACAAs [post_excerpt] => Meet the outstanding alumni being honoured at the 2024 Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => congratulations-2024-acaa-recipients [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-11-21 13:38:57 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-11-21 19:38:57 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/?p=8681 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )