University names recipient of award honouring reporter
Legacy scholarship set up by family of Raveena Aulakh awarded to Western student
The first Raveena Aulakh Memorial Award in Journalism and Communication, a legacy scholarship established in memory of the Star’s former environment reporter, has been awarded to a student at the University of Western Ontario.
Temo Primrose Gare, the recipient of the inaugural award, was selected for the entrance scholarship to the university’s master of media in journalism and communication (MMJC) program this fall.
The scholarship was established by Aulakh’s family in her honour, following her death in 2016.
Aulakh was a National Newspaper Award-winning reporter and began working at the Star in 2008, after completing the master of arts in journalism program at Western in 2007.
“We want everyone to know that this scholarship is set up with Raveena’s own hard-earned money that she left behind,” Aulakh’s family, who live in the GTA, said in a statement to the Star.
“So while she is gone, she is now giving someone else an incredible opportunity to follow their passion as she followed hers. And we are certain the stories she wrote will continue to motivate and inspire others to do their very best.”
The scholarship is an entrance award that the university offers to a full-time graduate student entering the MMJC program and candidates do not have to apply to be considered. When Gare found out she had won the award, she said her initial reaction was to squeal in excitement and look into who Aulakh was and her career background.
“It just made my heart sink . . . the manner in which she passed was a tragedy,” said Gare, a graduate of York University’s culture and expression program.
“I realized it was a bittersweet situation for me.”
Gare quit her job in the city to move to London, Ont., in pursuit of a master’s degree after having worked at community television and radio stations.
She said receiving the award in Aulakh’s honour felt like a powerful sign and motivation to fulfil her potential.
“I feel very compelled to be great. I want to be a better student, be a better storyteller, a better content creator . . . because I was trusted amongst my peers to be given this award.”
Aulakh’s sense of humour, work ethic and journalistic eye were an inspiration to fellow classmates, the university said on its website.
“Raveena enjoyed a distinguished career as a groundbreaking journalist, and we are very proud to be her alma mater,” said Thomas Carmichael, dean of the faculty of information and media studies at Western.
The university is accepting donations to the Raveena Aulakh Memorial Award fund.