ACP names top student newspapers/newsmagazines

Pacemaker competition recognizes 34 finalists

Aug. 26, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — Student newspapers and newsmagazines from 34 colleges and universities have been recognized as Pacemaker finalists by the Associated College Press.

Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention at the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.

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

The 34 newspaper/newsmagazine finalists represent 17 states and the Philippines. California and Texas set the pace with six finalists each followed by North Carolina with three.

Two print issues produced during the 2025-26 school year were submitted for consideration. Two teams of three judges studied every entry, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. At least two of the three judges agreed on whether a newspaper/newspaper was eliminated or would be named a finalist or winner.

Of the 34 finalists, 18 will earn the Pacemaker award.

Newspapers from four-year schools competed against schools with similar enrollment. Newspapers from two-year schools, of all enrollments, competed in a separate category.

Six newspapers/newsmagazines published by two-year schools are among the 34 finalists. Of those six, three will earn Pacemaker honors.

It is exciting to see how these colleges and universities are refining their print products in today’s college media ecosystem,” associate director Gary Lundgren said. “It is definitely a transitional time for the college student newspaper.”

In all, 88 newspapers/newsmagazines entered the Pacemaker competition in 2026, the same number that competed in 2025.

In addition to demonstrating excellence in key areas including coverage, writing, editing, design and photography, the winning newspapers took risks and served as a strong voice for the student audience.

In this competition, only the print product was judged. Online sites compete in a separate Pacemaker competition.

Please join us at the National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 4-7.

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.

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Fall Pacemaker finalists

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Editor-in-chief: Archana Pisupati
Advisers: Kim Bisheff, Pat Howe

Paw Print/The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Editors-in-chief: Jazmin Alvarado, Isaac Marquez
Adviser: Donald Munro

The Union
El Camino College (CA)
Editor-in-chief: Nikki Yunker
Adviser: Stefanie Frith

The Pepperdine Graphic
Pepperdine University (CA)
Editor-in-chief: Tony Gleason
Advisers: Elizabeth Smith, Courtenay Stallings

The Southwestern College Sun
Southwestern College (CA)
Editors-in-chief: Valeryah Lara-Urrea, Yanelli Zavina Robles
Advisers: Max Branscomb, Kenneth Pagano

Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman

The Miami Hurricane
University of Miami (FL)
Editor-in-chief: Katie Karlson
Advisers: Antonio Mora, Steven Priepke, Michelle Starbeck

The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern University (IL)
Editors-in-chief: Emily Lichty, Anavi Prakash
Adviser: Stacia Campbell

The Alestle
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Editor-in-chief: Dylan Hembrough
Adviser: Tammy Merrett

The Ball State Daily News
Ball State University (IN)
Editor-in-chief: Meghan Braddy
Adviser: Corey Ohlenkamp

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Editors-in-chief: Mia Hilkowitz, Andrew Miller
Adviser: Ruth Witmer

The Daily Iowan
University of Iowa
Editor-in-chief: Roxy Ekberg
Adviser: Jason Brummond

The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Editor-in-chief: Taliyah Winn
Adviser: Amy DeVault

Kentucky Kernel
University of Kentucky
Editor-in-chief: Giana Gallo
Advisers: Ryan Craig, Bryce McNeil, David Stephenson

College Heights Herald
Western Kentucky University
Editor-in-chief: Jake McMahon
Advisers: Chuck Clark, Carrie Pratt

The Tulane Hullabaloo
Tulane University (LA)
Editor-in-chief: Ian Faul
Adviser: Tel Bailliet

The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Editors-in-chief: Buse Koldas, Lana Swindle
Adviser: Brittini Brown

The Harvard Crimson
Harvard University (MA)
Editors-in-chief: Matteo Diaz, Dhruv Patel

The State News
Michigan State University
Editor-in-chief: Satvik Shubham
Advisers: Madison Echlin, Wesley Herold, Kim Margolis, Griffin Wiles

The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Zachary Ajluni, Mary Corey, Edith Pendell, Zhane Yamin

The Daily Orange
Syracuse University (NY)
Editor-in-chief: Kendall Luther

The Pendulum
Elon University (NC)
Editor-in-chief: Sarah Moore
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

Technician
North Carolina State University
Editor-in-chief: Skye Crawford
Adviser: Ben McNeely

The Daily Tar Heel
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Editor-in-chief: Alli Pardue
Adviser: Will Lingo

The Daily Barometer
Oregon State University
Editors-in-chief: Jenna Benson, Molly Hoglund
Adviser: Jennifer Moody

The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Editors-in-chief: Nat Campbell, Jenna Swenson
Advisers: Nina Brook, John Burbage, Sydney Cranmer, Krista Larson, Sarah Scarborough

Baylor Lariat
Baylor University (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Foster Nicholas
Advisers: Douglas Pils, Julie Reed, Jamile Yglecias

The Brookhaven Courier
Dallas College Brookhaven (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Corey Lyon
Advisers: Jubenal Aguilar, Daniel Rodrigue

Foghorn News
Del Mar College (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Layla Fonseca
Adviser: Robert Muilenburg

The Rice Thresher
Rice University (TX)
Editors-in-chief: Sarah Knowlton, Kathleen Ortiz
Adviser: Chris Evans

The Collegian
Tarrant County College (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Ash Petrie
Advisers: Lori Dann, Stacy Luecker, Chris Whitley

The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Editors-in-chief: Ian Curtis, Kynlee Joyner
Adviser: Sara Gonzales

The Clarion
Madison Area Technical College (WI)
Editor-in-chief: Sara Bernabe
Adviser: Doug Kirchberg

The Varsitarian
University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)
Editor-in-chief: Chalssea Echegoyen
Advisers: Felipe Salvosa II, Joselito Zulueta