Loyalist College congratulates Photojournalism graduates Rick Madonik and Donald Weber for the recognition they have recently received from national and international industry associations.
Rick Madonik, a 1991 Loyalist graduate and staff photographer for the Toronto Star, placed third in the United States-based National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) 2011 Best of Photojournalism Awards. “Placing in the annual NPPA awards is warmly welcomed as it’s one of the competitions I hold in high regard,” said Rick, whose winning photo was taken at the Vancouver Olympics following the women’s championship hockey game. “The Vancouver Olympics provided a number of unique pictures. Well after the medals had been handed out, members of the team decided to take trophy pictures on the ice with their medals and celebratory beverages. Maybe 10 to 12 photojournalists were shooting it, many of us wondering out loud if such a public display was good or bad. Certainly it was good for the photographers, but ended as a bit of a headache for Team Canada.”
The National Magazine Awards recognized 2001 graduate Donald Weber with the Gold Medal in the Photojournalism and Photo Essay category for his photo essay “Dark Element,” published in Walrus. He also received honourable mention for his photo essays “Interrogations,” published in Canadian Art, and “Spirit of Venture,” published in Chatelaine. Donald is an internationally recognized freelance photographer.
“Dark Element” shows how Zholtye Vody, a Ukrainian prairie city built during the Soviet era to supply ore for nuclear weapons, is reckoning with the industry’s deadly legacy. “I was thrilled to win for this project, as it is one of my lesser publicized stories, yet one I think has deep consequences for us all. It is certainly the most heart-breaking story I have worked on in a long time – a forgotten town, in a forgotten country. By winning Gold, hopefully there’ll be just a little more deserved and needed recognition for Zholtye Vody.” Donald is currently working on his second book, Interrogations, about individual resistance to state power in Eastern Europe.
“The College’s Photojournalism program is highly regarded within the industry,” said Vice-President Academic, John McMahon. “The program is intense, challenging and rewarding. As Canada’s only dedicated multi-year Photojournalism program, it draws students from across Canada and prepares graduates to communicate their stories with images – locally and on the international stage. Our reputation has been built upon the talent and success of graduates such as Rick and Donald.”
For information about Loyalist’s Photojournalism program, click here.
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Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332, email: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca