Multiplatform Pacemakers announced

11 winners represent the ‘best of the best’ across digital, print platforms

Oct. 18, 2025

WASHINGTON — To reflect the ever-changing landscape of college media, the Associated College Press has named 11 Pacemakers in the third year of its Multiplatform Pacemaker competition 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.

The newest Pacemaker award honors the nation’s top collegiate media as they serve readers across the platforms available to them — print, online, email newsletter, social media and audio/video.

In August, Pacemaker finalists were named. The 20 Multiplatform finalists represent 11 states. California set the pace with five finalists followed by Texas with three each. Of the finalists, 17 are from four-year colleges/universities and three are from two-year colleges. 

“This is clearly a forward-thinking Pacemaker award that reflects the new college media ecosystem,” Lundgren said. “While ACP continues to award Pacemakers for individual platforms, it is increasingly important for judges to review how print, online, email newsletters, social media and audio/video all come together to serve readers.”

To select the finalists, respected professionals including professors and current digital media professionals analyzed, discussed and rated each entry before selecting the finalists and Pacemakers.

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

Hornet Media
Fullerton College (CA)
Print editors-in-chief: Karla Garcia, Mikey Moran
Website editors-in-chief: Dylan Arreola, Maria Cruz, Karla Garcia, Mikey Moran
Adviser: Jessica Langlois

Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Print editor-in-chief: Lex Wang
Website editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman, Jose Hernandez

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Print editors-in-chief: Marissa Meador, Jacob Spudich
Website editors-in-chief: Marissa Meador, Jacob Spudich
Advisers: Jim Rodenbush, Ruth Witmer

The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Print editor-in-chief: Allison Campbell
Website editor-in-chief: Allison Campbell
Adviser: Amy DeVault

The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Print editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Dana Elobaid, Samantha Rich, Zhane Yamin
Website editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Dana Elobaid, Samantha Rich, Zhane Yamin

The Ithacan
Ithaca College (NY)
Print editor-in-chief: Lorien Tyne
Website editor-in-chief: Lorien Tyne
Adviser: Casey Musarra

Washington Square News
New York University
Print editor-in-chief: Yezen Saadah
Website editors-in-chief: Dharma Niles, Yezen Saadah
Adviser: Russell Berman

The Daily Tar Heel
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Print editor-in-chief: Laney Crawley
Website editor-in-chief: Laney Crawley
Adviser: Will Lingo

Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Print editor-in-chief: Avery Sloan
Website editor-in-chief: Charlotte Pfabe
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

The Daily Emerald
University of Oregon
Print editor-in-chief: Tristin Hoffman
Website editors-in-chief: Tristin Hoffman, Alicia Santiago
Adviser: Eric Henry

The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Print editors-in-chief: Kate Robins, Jenna Swenson
Website editors-in-chief: Kate Robins, Jenna Swenson
Adviser: Brandon Shulleeta