AAJA Announces Daniel Lam as Recipient of AAJA/White House Correspondents’ Association Scholarship

The Asian American Journalists Association is proud to announce Daniel Lam as the 2022 winner of the joint AAJA/White House Correspondents’ Association Scholarship. After careful consideration, winners were selected from a pool of highly qualified and competitive candidates who have demonstrated passion and expertise in different areas of journalism. Daniel is one of 31 students receiving WHCA scholarships this year.

“We’re proud to select Daniel as this year’s AAJA/WHCA Scholarship recipient, and we look forward to supporting him further in his journalism career,” said AAJA executive director Naomi Tacuyan Underwood. “AAJA is thankful for the continued partnership with the White House Correspondents Association as we work towards a shared goal of supporting AAPI student journalists.”

Lam says that it is an honor to receive this year’s AAJA/WHCA scholarship. 

“Receiving this award reinforces my belief that what we do as journalists is essential work,” Lam said. “Like many AAPI journalists and AAJA members, I have experienced moments when I questioned whether reporting on AAPI issues would pigeonhole me or cause me to lose out on other opportunities. This award makes it clear to me that a good story is a good story regardless of the identities of the subjects involved or the journalist reporting it. Fearless journalism is healthy for a robust public world and indeed necessary for our democracy.”

Since the WHCA began giving scholarships in 1991, it has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants and leveraged another $1.3 million in aid. The WHCA scholarships are financed by proceeds from the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner and tax-deductible contributions to the WHCA. 

As part of his scholarship, Daniel will be paired with a WHCA press corps member for mentorship. Daniel  will attend a luncheon and program in WHCA recipients’ luncheon on April 29 and will be a guest of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 30.

This scholarship is co-sponsored by the WHCA and the Asian American Journalists Association. Learn more about the AAJA/WHCA scholarship here. 

About The Winner: Daniel Lam

Daniel Lam of Whitestone, N.Y. is a senior at Dartmouth College, where he studies Government and Policy Rhetoric, conducts political science research and competitively chops wood on the timber team. At Dartmouth College Radio, he serves as the news director, hosts a variety show and has worked as a commercial rock D.J. He has also worked as an independent podcast producer for a political consulting firm and a creative production company. Daniel reported and produced national news stories as an intern and later a freelancer for NPR’s National Desk. One of his stories was recognized by AAJA as one of the Top 10 Works Essential to 2021. From his experience covering the 2020 New Hampshire primary election, he aspires to a career covering national politics as a broadcast journalist.

About AAJA’s Scholarships 

AAJA annually offers up to $20,000 in scholarships and grants to journalism students to help offset the costs of education, internships, living expenses and other opportunities. These scholarships are made possible by supporters such as AAJA members, allies and generous donors. To learn more about AAJA scholarships or donate, visit https://www.aaja.org/news-and-resources/scholarships-internships/.

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