Western student recipient of CBC News scholarship

King's University College alumna and multimedia journalist Angela McInnes is one of the 2018 Joan Donaldson CBC News scholarship's eight recipients.

The Donaldson scholarship is the only grant the CBC offers. It is awarded annually to eight students chosen from universities across Canada. The eligibility process requires exceptional engagement within the candidates' communities and genuine interest in the practice of journalism.

McInnes is the only student chosen from Western University.

“Writing and storytelling are the strongest skills I’ve always had,” McInnes said. “A lot of people told me not study English, but I followed my passion and stuck with it.”

When she finished her English degree at King's, McInnes went on to study communications and public relations at Fanshawe College, and she interned in the communications department at Western's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. She wrote for the Interrobang, Fanshawe’s student newspaper. She is currently in the Master of media in journalism and communications program at Western.

“I loved talking to people and writing stories about what was happening in the city,” McInnes said. “After that, I decided I liked the journalistic aspect of communications more, and that’s why I went into the MMJC at Western.”

The application for the Donaldson scholarship is highly competitive. Each participant sends a work portfolio and cover letter to be considered for selection. McInnes met with the scholarship’s coordinators, told them about her passion for journalism and waited a month until learning she received the scholarship.

“I never thought I would get into MMJC, and I never thought I would have this opportunity to work with the CBC,” McInnes said. “It is unbelievable how lucky I am.”