ACP names top broadcast news programs

Pacemaker competition recognizes 5 finalists as the ‘best of the best’

Sept. 10, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — Honoring the nation’s best, the Associated College Press named five student-produced news broadcasts as finalists in its annual prestigious Pacemaker competition. 

Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention at the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

“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.

The news programs competed directly against each other. Award-winning broadcast educators and practising journalists selected the winners. 

Two of the finalists will earn Pacemakers in Washington.

Program frequency, school enrollment and whether the program was live or recorded were factors taken into consideration during the judging process.

Please join us at the National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15-18.

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.

Fall Pacemaker finalists

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University (CA)
Producers/editors: Emma Martinez, Sahana Patel, Justin Rodriguez
Adviser: Theresa de los Santos

NewsVision
University of Miami (FL)
Producers/editors: Staff
Advisers: Ben Ezzy, Trevor Green, Boriana Treadwell

IUSTV News
Indiana University
Producer/editor: Jack Paley
Advisers: Andrew Behringer, Jim Rodenbush

The Kernel Chronicles
University of Kentucky
Producer/editor: Giana Gallo
Advisers: Ryan Craig, Bryce McNeil, David Stephenson

Student News at Seven
University of South Carolina
Producers/editors: Delaney Flanagan, Nickolas Hill
Adviser: Brett Williams