‘Concordia is part of the Reader’s Digest family of journalism’

Concordia University’s renowned Department of Journalism has produced many of Canada’s finest journalists since its founding in 1975. Today, students in the department are increasingly gaining hands-on experience and learning from professionals in the field thanks to the Reader’s Digest Foundation of Canada.

The foundation has contributed to the department’s success by funding the Reader’s Digest Foundation of Canada Scholarship, the Reader’s Digest Annual Lecture Series in Journalism, the Reader’s Digest Professional Skills Development Workshops and the Reader’s Digest Digital Internship at Concordia.

“Journalism is as important as ever, as complicated as it has ever been,” says Mark Pupo, editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest Canada. “It tells the important stories that people need to read to understand the communities, the country and the world they live in.”

‘One of the best journalism programs in the country’

The Reader’s Digest Foundation of Canada has funded journalism initiatives across Canada since 1976. At Concordia, that includes the prestigious Reader’s Digest Scholarship in Journalism, established in 2000.

“This is a merit-based scholarship,” says Pupo. “It recognizes excellence in students and gives everyone in the journalism program something to aspire to, and a reason to double down on their studies and pursue that level of excellence in journalism.”  

The Reader’s Digest Foundation of Canada also funds the hugely popular Reader’s Digest Annual Lecture Series in Journalism. Past speakers include Chantal Hébert, LLD 14, Stevie Cameron and Mark Kelley, BA 85.

“Sometimes journalism is a tough industry to get into, and often today there are a lot of funding challenges,” Pupo notes. “So hearing from people who have had varied careers can be really inspiring.”

Meanwhile, the Reader’s Digest Digital Internship supports Concordia’s strategic directions, including to “Get Your Hands Dirty”, by offering students hands- on experience outside the classroom to deepen knowledge and effect change.

Pupo proudly points out that “Concordia is part of the Reader’s Digest family of journalism. I have met a lot of great graduates who have come out of that program and contributed great journalism and journalistic leadership in Canada. Concordia has without question one of the best journalism programs in the country.”