Trib Total Media hires first class of Jim Borden Memorial scholars

Trib Total Media’s first class of Jim Borden Memorial Scholarship winners has started work at the Tribune-Review amid the coronavirus pandemic and a hectic news environment.

The scholarship, named for the Tribune-Review’s late managing editor, offers financial assistance up to $30,000 — paid in $7,500 annual installments — for college students, as well as an annual summer internship and a guaranteed job offer upon graduation. The program, announced in October 2019, is open to Southwestern Pennsylvania students studying journalism, English or professional writing.

Julia Felton, 21, of Cecil in Washington County, and Megan Swift, 19, of Murrysville, began nine-week internships in June.

“Jim believed that the power of the written word could bring change to the world around us, and that was so often the case with the work that he did here,” Trib Total Media Executive Editor Susan K. McFarland said. “Jim wanted young reporters to feel the same passion for this business that he felt every day. I’m sure he would be humbled and gratified to see Julia and Megan carrying on that same kind of devotion with the help of this program bearing his name.”

Eight finalists were interviewed by a panel made up of executives within Trib Total Media and Borden’s wife. McFarland said Felton and Swift stood out in their interviews — conducted over Microsoft Teams — for their passion, focus and “determination to make it in this business and do work that really matters.”

Jennifer Bertetto, president and CEO of Trib Total Media, said the company is honored to carry on Borden’s legacy through the scholarship.

“Julia and Megan represent the very best in young journalists today, and we are proud to see them starting their careers with us,” Bertetto said. “We know the future of journalism is bright, and we are thrilled to assist these two amazing young women launch what we hope will be long and fulfilling careers in this business.”

Both interns said it’s a “surreal” experience to be reporting professionally during an unprecedented news cycle, navigating complex topics such as covid-19, racial unrest and an approaching presidential election. Felton and Swift were able to work in-person in the Tribune-Review’s Tarentum and Greensburg newsrooms, respectively, before the staff returned to remote work.

Swift, a rising sophomore at Penn State majoring in print/digital journalism with minors in creative writing and entrepreneurial innovation, said receiving the scholarship has been a massive relief, financially. She said she’s thrilled to be a part of one of the region’s most prominent news organizations.

“I can’t even put into words how incredible an opportunity it has been,” Swift said. “It’s only my first summer here, and I’ve already learned so much.”

After applying for the scholarship program in January, Swift began to think nothing would come of her application. Like many programs at organizations across the country, selection was delayed amid the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Swift said she has appreciated the chance to help readers connect with experts and gain a deeper understanding of this confusing moment in history.

Felton, a rising senior studying journalism and professional writing at La Roche University, agreed the summer has been a fascinating chance to “write history in real time.”

With minors in history and political science, Felton said she ultimately hopes to cover local politics. Already this summer, she has covered a visit from Vice President Mike Pence, protests over school policing in Pittsburgh and various aspects of the region’s economic reopening.

“This is real news in a way that I never got to experience in college,” Felton said. “It’s really exciting to me that I’m writing something that matters, that carries some weight.”