Award-winning Calgary photojournalist, and SAIT Photojournalism graduate, Leah Hennel received an honorary degree at this year’s SAIT convocation ceremonies at the Jubilee Auditorium on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Hennel received the honour (a bachelor of business administration), for her distinguished achievements in photojournalism, as well as her outstanding contributions to the community and the province.
With many of her award-winning pictures displayed in a slide show behind her, Hennel addressed the graduates in an inspiring keynote speech that offered words of wisdom to all grads looking to make thier mark in the world.
Hennel worked five years for the Calgary Sun and 18 years at the Calgary Herald. She left the Herald in 2019 to take a staff photographer’s position at Alberta Health Services, and to also pursue a freelance career. Her work has appeared in such publications as The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, Maclean’s, CBC, and many others. Hennel has also published two books – her first entitled Along the Western Front, and more recently, Alone Together: A Pandemic Photo Essay.
Hennel spent some time teaching in the photojournalism program before taking the job at AHS, and is a frequent guest speaker for our program.
You can see some of her outstanding work on her website: http://leahhennelphotography.com/
Photos by Kevin Udahl/SAIT
