ACP names top student news publications

Prestigious competition recognizes 17 Pacemakers as the “best of the best”

Oct. 18, 2025

WASHINGTON — Honoring the nation’s best, the Associated College Press named 17 student news publications as winners of its prestigious Pacemaker during an awards ceremony at the Fall National College Media Convention in Washington.

“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.

In August, 49 newspapers/newsmagazines were named Pacemaker finalists. The finalists represented 21 states and the District of Columbia. California set the pace with nine finalists followed by Texas with seven.

Three print issues produced during the 2024-25 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/newsmagazines entered the Pacemaker competition in 2025 compared to 88 in 2024.

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.

MediaFest25 awards

Fall 2025 Pacemakers

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

2025 Individual Awards

Story of the Year
Reporter of the Year
Multimedia Story of the Year
Design of the Year
Photo of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Broadcast Story of the Year

Best of Show

Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

Mustang News
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Editor-in-chief: Amelia Wu
Advisers: Kim Bisheff, Pat Howe, Jon Schlitt

The Express
Las Positas College (CA)
Editor-in-chief: Camille LeDuc
Advisers: Melissa Korber, Marcus Thompson II

The Corsair
Santa Monica College (CA)
Editors-in-chief: Adriana Brady, Jeremy Wolf
Advisers: Gerard Burkhart, Samantha Nunez, Sharyn Obsatz

The Southwestern College Sun
Southwestern College (CA)
Editors-in-chief: Alexa Lima, Xiomara Santospieve
Advisers: Max Branscomb, Kenneth Pagano

Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Editor-in-chief: Lex Wang
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman, Jose Hernandez

The Red & Black
University of Georgia
Editors-in-chief: Libby Hobbs, Allison Mawn
Adviser: Kayla Renie

Ball State Daily News
Ball State University (IN)
Editor-in-chief: Kate Farr
Adviser: Corey Ohlenkamp

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Editors-in-chief: Marissa Meador, Jacob Spudich
Advisers: Jim Rodenbush, Ruth Witmer

The Daily Iowan
University of Iowa
Editor-in-chief: Jami Martin-Trainor
Adviser: Jason Brummond

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

Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Editor-in-chief: Lauren Rice
Advisers: Regan Foster, Kathy Simon

The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Dana Elobaid, Samantha Rich, Zhane Yamin

The Pendulum
Elon University (NC)
Editor-in-chief: Avery Sloan
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

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

The Daily Emerald
University of Oregon
Editor-in-chief: Tristin Hoffman
Adviser: Eric Henry

The Commonwealth Times
Virginia Commonwealth University
Editors-in-chief: Katharine DeRosa, Peggy Stansbery
Advisers: Jessica Clary, Mark Jeffries

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