ACP names top six collegiate yearbooks

Pacemaker competition names the ‘best of the best’

March 8, 2025

LONG BEACH (CA) — Honoring the nation’s best, the Associated College Press named six collegiate yearbooks as winners of its prestigious Pacemaker during an awards ceremony at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference, 

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

The ACP Pacemaker Award, one of the oldest awards for collegiate journalism, has a rich tradition. The association began presenting the prestigious award to collegiate newspapers soon after the organization was founded in 1921. Through the years, yearbooks, magazines and online sites were added to the competition.

In February, nine yearbooks were named Pacemaker finalists. The finalists represented 16 states. California set the pace with seven finalists, followed by Texas with four. The finalists include 27 four-year and four two-year schools.

“These yearbooks deliver engaging verbal and visual stories, showcasing superior photojournalism, writing and design,” said Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competitions.

Yearbooks produced during the 2023-24 school year competed directly against each other. A team of nationally recognized judges selected the finalists and Pacemakers.

2025 Spring Convention Awards

Spring 2025 Pacemakers
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook

Long Beach Best of Show
Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

Advertising and Business Individual Awards

Ouachitonian
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Editors-in-chief: Addie Chumley, Erin Key
Adviser: Deborah Root

The Tower
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
Editor-in-chief: Joey Ellingson
Advisers: Kevin O’Keeffe, Tom Nelson

Ibis
University of Miami
Miami, Florida
Editor-in-chief: Carolina Camus
Adviser: Randy Stano

Tower
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, Missouri
Editor-in-chief: Cassie Ford
Adviser: Steven Chappell

Baylor Roundup
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Ashleigh Anema
Advisers: Doug Pils, Julie Reed

Calyx
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia
Editor-in-chief: Bella Hodge
Adviser: Laura Ulmer

2024 Yearbook Pacemaker finalists

Alphabetical order by state

Petit Jean
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas
Editor-in chief: Julianne Baker
Adviser: April Fatula

Michiganensian
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Editor in chief: Mishal Charania

Aggieland
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Editors-in-chief: Emily Escobedo, Hannah Harrison, Cara Hudson, Julius Sjolie
Adviser: Spencer O’Daniel