Trent University is pleased to announce that Christopher Rompré, a fourth-year International Development Studies major who will be graduating this spring, has been named 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. 

Beginning May 1, Mr. Rompré will take part in a week of training in the basics of radio production at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto. Following the training, Mr. Rompré and the other three students will spend the remainder of their paid internship working with various radio shows across the country, gaining first-hand experience in radio programming.

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 that have a link to the well-known author, broadcaster, and columnist. They 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.

“I am delighted that Chris Rompré has been selected as the intern from Trent,” said Colin Taylor, Dean of Arts and Science, pointing out that an internal selection committee had submitted the names of five outstanding Trent students to the CBC. “I am very confident that both Chris and the CBC will benefit greatly from his participation in the program.”

Mr. Rompré became interested in International Development Studies after spending a year travelling throughout South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand after high school. His international exposure continued when he entered Trent’s Year in Ghana study abroad program and spent his third year of university studying, working, and living in Ghana. Working with the Rural Media Network in the capital city of Tamale, Mr. Rompré developed an interest in journalism as well as documentary film-making. During his time in Ghana, Mr. Rompré went on to produce his first documentary film entitled The Bone Setter Project, which profiles a local traditional healer. The film was screened at the Institute for African Studies in Ghana and is now used by NGOs in Tamale to highlight the value of traditional healing.

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. As a top student, a budding documentary film maker, and a world-traveller, Mr. Rompré meets the criteria to a tee.

The Gzowski Internship runs from May 1 to August 25. Upon completing the internship, Mr. Rompré hopes to pursue a career with the CBC.