ACP Pacemaker recognizes business excellence

Four collegiate student media operations recognized 

March 7, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO (CA) — Four of the nation’s top collegiate student media business operations were recognized today by Associated Collegiate Press as Pacemaker winners at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference, 

“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.”

In February, four business operations were named Pacemaker finalists. 

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.

The Student Media Business Pacemaker was established in 2020 to recognize outstanding student media business and operations teams that work hard to ensure student journalism is supported financially so that it may thrive. After two years, the Pacemaker contest was suspended because of the pandemic and also to streamline the application process.

Gary Lundgren, ACP associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, was pleased with the enthusiasm for the Student Media Business Pacemaker competition.

“The business and marketing side of student media is critical in today’s media world — it is very important for ACP to recognize this important aspect of journalism,” associate director Gary Lundgren said.

In addition to submitting a three-page overall narrative and a media kit, applicants for the Student Media Business Pacemakers shared examples of print, digital, video and audio advertisements designed for clients, a newspaper special section, audience engagement event and social media campaign.

2026 Spring Convention Awards

Spring 2026 Pacemakers
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook

San Francisco Best of Show
Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

Advertising and Business Individual Awards

Pacemaker finalists
Online
Student Media Business
Yearbook

Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
Student Leadership: Sean Harmon, Logan Teixeira
Adviser: Jon Schlitt

WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Student Leadership: Keelin Davis, Olivia Games, Nicole Johnson, Harrison Rogers, Sarah Thompson
Advisers: Clinton Lewis, Sam Oldenburg, Avari Weis

Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Student Leadership: Mickie Dausey, Olivia Garcia, Zoey Lawrence, Mckenzie Nowak
Adviser: Kathy Simon

The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Student Leadership: Hailey Do, Pedro Malkomes
Advisers: Coral Chavez, Kevin Cummings, Adam Drew, Laurie Fox