Postmedia Network Inc. has announced that Laura Stone of Ottawa (a former J-Source Student’s Lounge editor, pictured below) is the
first recipient of the Michelle Lang Fellowship in Journalism.

Michelle Lang, a reporter for the Calgary Herald,
was killed late last year while on assignment in Afghanistan, making
her the first Canadian journalist killed reporting on this war.

The award is open to recently-graduated university students that “apply his or her passion for writing and interest in current events.” The trust will award up to $10,000 annually to fund a “special news project that holds significance for a Canadian audience and that would address the goals Lang aspired to in her daily journalism.” Donations to the trust can be made at any Scotiabank location.

A Postmedia press release says:

“Laura is a wonderful choice for this inaugural fellowship,” said Scott Anderson, Senior Vice President, Content, Postmedia Network Inc. “Laura carries with her many of the great qualities
Michelle exhibited in her work every day, which include a passion for telling stories that have gone unreported or unnoticed on topics of social significance.”

“Stone has a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University, and also has a faculty of Arts and Sciences joint degree from Dalhousie University and King’s College in Halifax, as well as her BA in English and History (also from Dalhousie). Her media experience includes internships at the Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, National Post, The Province (Vancouver), and Canwest News Service.

“Stone will split her time between Postmedia News (formerly Canwest News Service) in Ottawa and the Calgary Herald. She begins her fellowship at Postmedia News immediately and will join the Calgary Herald in early March, 2011.”