ACP names top broadcast news programs

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

Sept. 8, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — Honoring the nation’s best, the Associated College Press named eight 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, 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 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. 

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

Two of the finalists were pre-recorded broadcasts and five were live representing schools from 5,000 to 45,000 students. All of the Pacemaker entries were from four-year schools.

Three of the finalists will earn Pacemakers in Kansas City, Mo.

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 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.

Fall Pacemaker finalists

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

MNTV
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Producer/editor: RJ Pollock
Advisers: Richard Gearhart, Thomas Morales

Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Producer/editor: Staff
Adviser: Jesus Ayala

NewsWaves 32
Pepperdine University (CA)
Producers/editors: Jenna Parsio, Amanda Monahan
Adviser: Theresa de los Santos

NewsLink Indiana
Ball State University (IN)
Producers/editors: Brooke Follrad, Abigail Urban
Adviser: Terry Heifetz

DITV
University of Iowa
Producer/editor: Kayla Smith
Adviser: Jason Brummond

The Kernel Chronicles
University of Kentucky
Producers/editors: Chloe Bradley, Giana Gallo
Advisers: Ryan Craig, Bryce McNeil, David Stephenson

Lariat TV News
Baylor University (TX)
Producers/editors: Braden Murray, Irma Pena
Advisers: Douglas Pils, Julie Reed

Breeze TV
James Madison University (VA)
Producer/editor: Alexa Bonilla
Advisers: Brad Jenkins, Ryan Parkhurst