ACP names top student news broadcasts

Prestigious competition recognizes two Pacemakers as the “best of the best”

Oct. 18, 2025

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

In September,  five broadcasts were named Pacemaker finalists. The finalists represented five states.

Three student-produced news broadcasts during the 2024-25 school year were submitted for consideration. Judges studied every entry, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. Award-winning broadcast educators and practising journalists selected the winners. 

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

MediaFest25 awards

Fall 2025 Pacemakers

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

2025 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
Broadcast Story of the Year

Best of Show

Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

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