Trent University and Loyalist College Launch Journalism Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students gather for first live-stream from the Trent Bureau of QNet News

Wednesday, September 4, 2013, Peterborough and Belleville

Today, Trent University journalism students and faculty participated in the official launch of the Trent-Loyalist Journalism program live from the new Trent Bureau of QNet News, during a webcast from Loyalist College in Belleville, where the college hosted an event to unveil its digital media centre, including a 10,000-square-foot newsroom.

Together, Trent and Loyalist also introduced the new Trent Bureau of QNet News, a satellite of Loyalist’s award-winning student-produced community online news service through which students write, report, share photographs, host programs and produce web, social media and video and audio content.

On hand in the new Trent Bureau of QNet News were second-year students of the Trent-Loyalist Journalism program who completed their first year at Trent and worked through the summer at Loyalist in an intensive eight-week introduction to the fundamentals of radio, television, newspaper, magazine and online media.

The new Trent-Loyalist Journalism program enables students to earn a joint-major Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Journalism and another discipline of their choice from Trent, as well as an Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Journalism - Online, Print and Broadcast, from Loyalist. Depending on the discipline, the combined program can be completed in four or five years of full-time study. The combination of the rigours of an honours degree and the skill required to tell compelling stories to an audience will make Trent-Loyalist Journalism graduates desirable to a demanding and ever-changing industry.

Storytelling is at the heart of the new fully-integrated Trent-Loyalist Journalism program that prepares graduates to be informed, critically-aware, and technically skilled journalists.  The program is unique in enabling students to pursue their academic study in any of Trent’s arts and science disciplines, where they will develop a foundation in research, critical analysis and writing in their discipline of choice.

“So far it’s been a dream come true,” said second-year student Mark Hodgins. “Trent is a fantastic school; the campus is beautiful, the professors are exemplary and it’s  just the right size to make you really feel as though you’re a part of what goes on. The professors at Loyalist are all seasoned veterans in what we hope to one day do, and their passion for Journalism really helped to solidify my desire to be in the industry. The Newsroom is going to be great,” he added.

“As one of Ontario’s most transfer-friendly universities, Trent is committed to academic excellence and to promoting an enriched learning environment that encourages exploration between fields of study and critical engagement with the world,” said Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor at Trent University. “The Trent-Loyalist Journalism program is a great example of how we provide integrated learning experiences that are designed to hone critical thinking skills grounded in dialogue, research and practical experience.”

“We are proud to have Trent University as a partner in creating this powerful combination of post-secondary education for future journalists,” said Loyalist College president Maureen Piercy. “Together, we are preparing students to take advantage of tomorrow’s job opportunities available to them in new media industries. Paving these pathways will help students seamlessly and successfully gain the best of both the university and college learning experience. Loyalist is delighted to share our expertise and experience in producing world-calibre journalists with an exceptional partner such as Trent University.”

According to Dr. Hugh Elton, dean of Humanities at Trent, the Trent-Loyalist Journalism program is unique for the level of integration and the joint-major aspect of the program. “Students in this program can choose virtually any other Trent discipline as their joint major including Business Administration, Media Studies, International Development, Environmental Studies and Sciences, English Literature and more.”

About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of collaborative learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. As the University prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Oshawa delivers a distinct mix of programming in the GTA.

About Loyalist College
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. One of the best testaments to the College’s value is from graduates who find jobs, as evidenced in the annual College Key Performance Indicator for Graduate Employment, which is consistently above the provincial average. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.

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Trent University Contact: An Kosurko, 705-748-1011, ext. 6182, ankosurko@trentu.ca
Loyalist College Contact: Kerry Lorimer, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca