L to R: Chris Rathwell, Grant J. McDonald, and Ed Zebrowski. The photo was taken June 12, 2012 following the Michener Award ceremony held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Mr. Rathwell is the incoming treasurer for the Michener Awards Foundation. Ed Zebrowski is the outgoing treasurer but will be staying on for a one year transition period. Mr. Zebrowski has been a member of the Foundation board of directors for over 15 years. Grant McDonald served as treasurer and executive board member for 20 years beginning in 1988.
The Michener Award program was inaugurated in 1970. It was administered first by the Federation of Press clubs and later by the National Press club. But in September of 1983, the Michener Awards Foundation was officially established to manage the awards and fellowship programs with Paul Deacon elected as the first board president.
The Michener Award for Journalism emerged some 30 years ago from the coincidence of Governor General Roland Michener’s vision of public service in journalism with the formation of a national journalists’ organization. The first award for outstanding and disinterested public service in journalism covered the calendar year 1970. It is presented annually to a news organization rather than an individual.