Trent University is pleased to announce that Jonathan Pinto, a graduating fourth-year Canadian Studies major, has been selected as one of four students from across Canada who will spend the summer working with CBC Radio as part of the prestigious Peter Gzowski Internship Program, learning the basics of radio production and gaining first-hand experience in radio programming.

“Public broadcasting has always been a particular interest of mine,” Mr. Pinto says. “CBC Radio and the engaging, thought-provoking programming it broadcasts has become a daily part of my routine, whether it be Ontario Morning before class, the CBC Radio 3 R3-30 podcast at work, or something on Radio-Canada International via shortwave while travelling abroad. CBC Radio, and indeed, the entire Corporation, brings Canadians together in a way that few other national institutions can. As the 2010 intern, I feel that it will truly be an honour to say that I have been part of this wonderful, continuing endeavour. As a long-time listener, it’ll be fascinating to see what happens on the other side of the radio.”

In May, Mr. Pinto will take part in a week of training in radio production at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto. Following the training, Mr. Pinto and three other interns will spend the remainder of their internship working for various radio shows across the country. The internship will run until August 2010.

Since arriving at Trent four years ago, Mr. Pinto, a Peterborough native, has made an impressive mark on the University and in the Peterborough community. At Trent, he has served three terms with the Lady Eaton College cabinet. He was also a member of Trent Senate, the Non Academic Misconduct Policy Task Force and the Presidential Review Committee. Mr. Pinto has also served as president of the Trent Annual Yearbook Board, a director on the PRCSA (Sadleir House) Board of Directors, and restaurant critic for student-run Arthur newspaper.

In addition, Mr. Pinto has also played critical roles on several committees outside of Trent, including: youth liaison on the 2009/2010 United Way Campaign cabinet; president of the Peterborough Federal Liberal Youth Association; and member of the Downtown Countdown (Peterborough's non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve festival) planning committee.

Following the internship, Mr. Pinto will be attending the University of Waterloo to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning, with the eventual goal of becoming a transportation planner.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Jonathan,” said Dr. Jocelyn Aubrey, associate dean of undergraduate studies at Trent. “He told me the other day that he has two passionate interests: public broadcasting and public transportation. This summer at CBC will give him the chance to pursue the first interest and in September at graduate school he will begin an intense study of his second passion. It is a delight to see one of our students succeeding so well on the road to achieving his goals.”

Created to honour the memory of Peter Gzowski, who died in 2002, the internship program with CBC Radio is available to final year university students at four institutions across Canada. Each institution has a link to the well-known author, broadcaster and columnist. The schools are: Trent University, McGill University in Montreal, Memorial University in St. John’s and Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. Peter Gzowski was chancellor at Trent University from 1999-2002.

A highly coveted employment opportunity, the CBC Radio Peter Gzowski Internship Program seeks out students who are highly creative, curious about the world, engaged in the community, and have an interest in pursuing a career with public radio. The selection committee looks for students who are adaptable, think critically and have a love for writing.