ACP Pacemaker honors innovation

Six student media operations rewarded for forward thinking

Sept. 11, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS — The Associated Collegiate Press has recognized six collegiate student media programs as finalists in the Innovation Pacemaker competition.

Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Sheraton New Orleans.

“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.

The Innovation Pacemaker is designed to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and reward student media for the courage to take chances to improve service to their customers, readers and communities.

“Collegiate student media is rapidly changing and those programs that don’t generate new revenue streams and innovative ways to deliver content to their readers will struggle to survive,” associate director Gary Lundgren said. “Print is now just one component — there is far more to a successful student media program than publishing the campus newspaper.”

Leadership, coverage, content delivery, marketing, business, community, press freedom and partnerships are among the areas where innovation is encouraged.

Please join us at the National College Media Convention in New Orleans Oct. 30 – Nov. 2. Register online.

This convention provides a unique opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn from seasoned journalists, and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of media and journalism.

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Fall Pacemaker finalists

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

2024 Innovation Pacemaker finalists

Project E2024 | The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Student Leaders: Jennifer Woo, Sarah Hutter

Advisers: Carol Costello, Kevin O’Keeffe, Tom Nelson

Pepeprdine Graphic Media and NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Student Leaders: Joe Allgood, Millie Auchard, Marley Penagos, Gabrielle Salgado, Samantha Torre, Abby Wilt

Advisers: Elizabeth Smith, Theresa de los Santos

The George-Anne Media Group
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Student Leaders: Anna Claire Edenfield, Elise Taylor, Jordyn Mobley, Lorena Martinez, Peyton Siebert, Shaniya Anderson, Tyler Phillips, Vanessa Countryman, Kamila Gonzalez

Advisers: David Simpson, Justine Cozza

The Red Line Project
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Student Leaders: Manny Meraz, Delaney Disario, Ola Stepien, Natalie McGuiggan, Kristen Hodge

Advisers: Mike Reilley

College Heights Herald
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Student Leaders: Alexandria Anderson (WKU), Scottie Ballard (MSU), Ashanti Castleberry (KSU), Grey Greenwell (UK), Rosemary Kelley (EKU), Tate Luckey (UL), Emily Sisk (NKU), Jillian Smith (MSU), Hannah Stanley (UK), Braden White (NKU), Price Wilborn (WKU), Jess WIlson (EKU)

Advisers: Chuck Clark, Ryan Craig, Michele Day, Laura Glasscock, Tricia Kelley, Ralph Merkel, Carrie Pratt, Leigh Wright

The Reflector and The Daily Mississippian
Mississippi State University and University of Mississippi
Starkville / Oxford, Mississippi

Student Leaders: Joshua Britt, Kharley Redmon

Advisers: Josh Foreman, Dennis Moore, Deb Wenger