2021 Online Pacemaker Awards

Top collegiate online sites announced

ACP Pacemaker competition names 14
as the ‘best of the best’

Oct. 14, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS — Online news and magazine sites from 14 colleges and universities have earned the prestigious Pacemaker award from the Associated Collegiate Press.

“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” executive director Laura Widmer said. “ACP is honored to recognize the best of the best.”

In September, 32 online sites were named Pacemaker finalists. The finalists represented 17 states, the District of Columbia and a Canadian province. California set the pace with nine finalists followed by Florida, Texas and North Carolina each with three.

Online sites from two-year and four-year schools competed in separate divisions. There were three two-year schools and 29 four-year schools honored as Pacemaker finalists.

Within the four-year school category, websites competed against those from colleges and universities with similar enrollments.

To select the finalists, respected professionals including professors and current digital media professionals analyzed, discussed and rated each entry.

“Today’s best online sites are platforms for rich multimedia storytelling,” said Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition. “Deep and diverse coverage with strong engagement and interactivity distinguish the best student-produced sites.”

In this competition, only the online product was judged. Print newspapers and magazines compete in a separate Pacemaker competition.

2021 ACP Pacemaker Awards

Broadcast
Business
Innovation
Magazine
Newspaper
Online
2020 Yearbook

2021 ACP Individual Awards

Story of the Year
Reporter of the Year
Multimedia Story of the Year
Design of the Year
Photo of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Advertisement of the Year
Best Use of Social Media
COVID-19 Coverage
Broadcast Story of the Year