2022 Broadcast Pacemakers

ACP names top student broadcasts

Pacemaker competition names four news programs
as the ‘best of the best’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Honoring the nation’s best, Associated College Press named three student-produced news broadcasts as winners of its prestigious Pacemaker during an awards ceremony at MediaFest22, the Fall National College Media Convention, in Washington, D.C.

In September, seven news broadcasts were named Pacemaker finalists.

The news programs competed directly against each other and three award-winning broadcast educators selected the winners.

News programs produced by two-year and four-year schools competed in separate categories. Frequency, school enrollment and whether the program was live or recorded were factors taken into consideration.

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

The prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year. The award started shortly after the association was founded in 1921 and is often regarded as the most-competitive, most-honored award in collegiate journalism.

Over the decades, Pacemakers have been awarded to online, newspaper, magazine and yearbook. The broadcast Pacemaker competition was added in 2020.

“As digital platforms expand, a growing number of student media operations are producing outstanding broadcast news programs,” associate director Gary Lundgren said.