Pacemaker competition names
12 as the ‘best of the best’

Oct. 30, 2023

ATLANTA — Honoring the nation’s best, the Associated College Press named 12 student news publications as winners of its prestigious Pacemaker during an awards ceremony at the the Fall National College Media Convention, in Atlanta.

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

In August, 23 newspapers/newsmagazines were named Pacemaker finalists. The finalists represented 15 states. California set the pace with five finalists followed by Texas with three.

The 12 Pacemaker winners represent the top 14 percent of the entries. Three of the Pacemaker-winning newspapers/newsmagazines were published by two-year schools.

Three print issues produced during the 2022-23 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 was eliminated or would be named a finalist or winner.

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

“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, 90 newspapers entered the Pacemaker competition.

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.

The Southwestern College Sun

Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

Editors-in-chief: Liliana Anguiano,
Camila Gonzalez, Nicolette Monique Luna

Advisers: Max Branscomb, Kenneth Pagano

Dec. 1, 2022
March 24, 2023
April 21, 2023

el Don

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, California

Editors-in-chief: Kate Bustamante, Edgar Galvan

Advisers: Sarah Bennett, Jacqueline Schlossman

Oct. 24, 2022
March 27, 2023
May 22, 2023

The Reporter

Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Editor-in-chief: Juan Gomez

Adviser: Manolo Barco

Oct. 18, 2022
Nov. 15, 2022
May 23, 2023

The Pepperdine Graphic

Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Editor-in-chief: Abby Wilt

Advisers: Elizabeth Smith, Courtenay Stallings

Nov. 11, 2022
Feb. 17, 2023
March 17, 2023

Spartan Daily

San Jose State University
San Jose, California

Editors-in-chief: Nathan Canilao, Bojana Cvijic

Adviser: Richard Craig

Oct. 20, 2022
Oct. 25, 2022
April 27, 2023

Mustang News

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California

Editor-in-chief: Catherine Allen

Advisers: Pat Howe, Jon Schlitt, Brady Teufel

March 7, 2023
April 11, 2023
June 13, 2023

Daily News

Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Editor-in-chief: Elissa Maudlin

Adviser: Lisa Renze-Rhodes

March 16, 2023
March 30, 2023
April 6, 2023

The Daily Iowan

University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Editor-in-chief: Hannah Pinski

Adviser: Jason Brummond

March 22, 2023
March 29, 2023
April 3, 2023

The Sunflower

Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Editor-in-chief: Jaycie Nelson

Adviser: Amy DeVault

Oct. 6, 2022
March 2, 2023
April 6, 2023

The Harvard Crimson

Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Editors-in-chief: Cara Chang, Brandon Kingdollar

Oct. 28, 2022
March 24, 2023
April 28, 2023

The State News

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Editor-in-chief: Sa’Mya Overall

Advisers: Wesley Herold,
Kim Margolis, Chris Richert

Oct. 18, 2022
Feb. 23, 2023
March 28, 2023

The Pendulum

Elon University
Elon, North Carolina

Editors-in-chief: Caroline Mitchell,

Sophie Rosenthal
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

Sept. 14, 2022
Feb. 15, 2023
April 5, 2023