“You have truly exemplified the spirit of service and engagement:" three j-school alumni receive outstanding volunteer awards

Three School of Journalism alumni who gave their time to Toronto Metropolitan University were honoured with the G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Awards on June 28. 

Holly Corbett, ’09, Amanda Cupido, ’12, and Waubgeshig Rice, ‘02, were among the 38 volunteer award recipients.

Holly Corbett  is a Tri-Mentoring Program Career Mentor for TMU’s student life and learning support, sharing her expert knowledge of the journalism industry. 

Corbett is especially passionate about helping young women in the journalism industry encouraging them to achieve their dreams and be true to themselves. 

Corbett works as a marketing manager for Intuit and Quick Books Canada. 

Amanda Cupido, who is the past president of the Journalism Alumni Association, is also a Tri-Mentoring Program volunteer. 

“It is such an honour to be receiving this award. I am among a truly inspiring group of award recipients,” says Cupido, an award-winning podcast producer, the founder of Lead Podcasting (external link) , and a Corus radio executive.  

Cupido also runs an alumni e-newsletter that provides students with insight into the journalism industry. 

“I am passionate about giving back to the communities that mean a lot to me,” says Cupido.  “I treasured my time at TMU and I’m dedicated to being an active alumna.” 

Waubgeshig Rice, who is from Wasauksing First Nation on Georgian Bay, was honoured for the advice and expertise he shares with J-School faculty and students and contributes to TMU publications. 

“I’ve been very pleased to see the journalism program at TMU make great progress in representing and including Indigenous communities and telling their stories.”

He provides insight as a guest speaker on TMU’s podcast, The Forefront: Ideas for Cities (external link) , and is an author in the TMU alumni Book Talk series.  

“I’ve done my best to share my experiences and insights as a journalist and storyteller with the community over the years,” says Rice. 

Rice also inspires fellow journalists and students at special TMU events hosted by the Journalism Research Centre and Aboriginal Student Services.

“This nomination further strengthens my connection to the TMU community, and it ensures I’ll have a positive and productive relationship with students, staff, and faculty for years to come,” says Rice.

Rice has written four books most notably the bestselling 2018 novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow (external link) . He spent a majority of his career with the CBC as video journalist and radio host.

Another J-School alum, Donette Chang, ‘78, told the honourees at the June 28 ceremony, “you have truly exemplified the spirit of service and engagement.” 

This year’s event was significant because it was held in person for the first time since the pandemic and the first official awards event as TMU. 

Each recipient of the G. Raymond Chang award is gifted a certificate of appreciation in their honour by TMU chancellor Janice Fukakusa.