ACP names ‘best of the best’

Pacemaker competition recognizes
six finalists for excellence

Jan. 29, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS — The nation’s top collegiate yearbooks were recognized today by Associated Collegiate Press, which announced six finalists in its annual Pacemaker Awards competition.

The yearbooks will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday’s awards ceremony at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference,  March 7-9, 2024, in San Diego, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.

“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.”

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.

“These yearbooks deliver engaging verbal and visual stories, showcasing superior photojournalism, writing and design,” said Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competitions.

Yearbooks produced during the 2022-23 school year competed directly against each other. A team of three nationally recognized judges selected the finalists and Pacemaker winners.

Yearbook Pacemaker finalists

Alphabetical order by state

The Tower
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
Editor-in-chief: Kyra LaFitte
Advisers: Tom Nelson, Kevin O’Keeffe

Ibis
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
Editor-in-chief: Carolina Camus
Adviser: Randy Stano

Tower
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, Missouri
Editor-in-chief: Emily Kunkel
Adviser: Steven Chappell

Agromeck
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Editor-in-chief: Krishna Patel
Adviser: Martha Collins

Baylor Roundup
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Josh McSwain
Advisers: Bruce Gietzen, Julie Reed

The Bluestone
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Editor-in-chief: Erin Gallagher
Adviser: Cynthia Martin