Last week, four graduates of the BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism program, Lauren Accili, Emily Dineen, Sophie Hansen, and Lisa Kovtun, were recognized on one of the biggest stages in British Columbia (BC) journalism.
Winning the Jack Webster Foundation Award for Excellence in Feature Reporting, TV/Video for their documentary At What Cost? The Legacy of Florence Girard, marks an extraordinary milestone and the first-time a BCIT student-produced video project has received a Webster Award.
This achievement places the team alongside the province’s most accomplished and respected journalists, underscoring not only the strength of their story but also the high standard of journalism education at BCIT.
Celebrating excellence in journalism
Each year, the Jack Webster Awards recognize reporting that elevates crucial public issues and demonstrates a commitment to truth, accountability, and community impact.
The BCIT team’s award-winning documentary tells the story of Florence Girard, a woman whose life and legacy raise important questions about how society supports, or fails to support, those who are most vulnerable. By approaching Girard’s story with depth and care, the filmmakers brought forward a narrative that is both personal and resonant, inviting viewers to consider the real human consequences behind systems, policies, and decisions.
Additionally, BCIT is proud to celebrate 2025 Student Journalism Award recipients: Riley Cunningham, Joe McCue, Arden McLeod, and Cohan Sassaman. Each BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism student received a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to quality journalism.
BCIT Journalism: Shaping storytellers who shape the world
This award adds to a growing legacy of BCIT alumni influencing the journalism landscape across Canada and beyond. Graduates from the BCIT School of Business + Media, Broadcast and Online Journalism program are reporting from newsrooms, producing documentaries, creating digital media, and shaping public dialogue on the issues that matter most.
The Webster win reaffirms what employers and industry leaders already know: BCIT journalism grads are prepared, passionate, and ready to lead.
