St. Thomas University Media Release

Communications and Media Relations
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, NB, E3B 5G3
Tel (506) 452-0522, Fax (506) 460-0335

 

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Fredericton – Continuing to build a leading journalism programme, St. Thomas University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Daniel O’Brien today participated in the announcement of the new Irving Chair in Journalism at the University.

The $1 million initiative of the Irving family will be an important contribution to media education in the province. The new Irving Chair in Journalism will bring a distinguished journalist to campus for teaching, public lectures and community outreach.

The St. Thomas Irving Chair in Journalism will work co-operatively with the new Irving-funded Romeo Leblanc Chair in Journalism at the Universite de Moncton which was also announced today. In addition, Brunswick News will soon be launching a trial initiative of journalism internships and apprenticeships.

Dr. O’Brien welcomed the generous gift noting it will mean greater opportunities for journalism students while they attend St. Thomas University and after graduation.

“We can now add to the strengths of our existing journalism programme by welcoming additional distinguished journalists to our campus. With our existing priority on teaching and enriching the student experience, I am especially pleased that the journalists will be here during the teaching semesters and will interact closely with students. It is another positive attribute of an already strong and well established programme.”

He noted that journalism students are critical, independent thinkers who require a broad knowledge of many subject areas to complement writing and analytical skills. With its liberal arts foundation, the St. Thomas Journalism Programme provides that depth of understanding to students as well as practical newsroom experience that students require in order to tell their stories in a professional setting. Many journalism courses at St. Thomas are offered in state-of-the-art classrooms and editing suites at CBC New Brunswick.

“Our emphasis on ensuring our journalism students are well-grounded in New Brunswick and Maritime history, literature and political science will ensure that tomorrow's communication industry has a specialized stream of talented writers and reporters,” Dr. O’Brien said. Graduates from the University’s Journalism Programme are working for the CBC, ATV, Global, Brunswick News and in related industry fields in Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Media Contact – Jeffrey Carleton, St. Thomas University, (506) 452-0522 or carleton@stu.ca.