The ACP Pioneer Awards recognizes collegiate journalism educators and advocates who have made long-term, significant contributions to student media and to ACP. The Pioneer award is the organization’s highest adviser honor.

Pioneers represent decades of dedication, innovation and mentorship. Their commitment has shaped student journalists and advisers nationwide, strengthened collegiate press freedom and ensured the future of strong, student-driven media. They have also contributed time and expertise to ACP’s programs, services and resources.

The Pioneer Award is presented annually to individuals who have provided outstanding service to collegiate media through their leadership, mentorship and unwavering commitment to press freedom.

In 2022, ACP recognized an inaugural class of 101 educators and advocates in honor of the organization’s 100th anniversary.

“Pioneers embody the heart of collegiate journalism,” ACP executive director Laura Widmer said. “Through their teaching, leadership and steadfast advocacy, they have inspired thousands of students and educators, ensuring that student media continues to thrive as a vital part of education and democracy. Their contributions to ACP have strengthened our entire community.”

2025 Pioneer nominations now open

The Associated Collegiate Press proudly announces that it is now accepting applications for the 2025 ACP Pioneer Award.

The 2025 Pioneer Awards will be presented on March 7 at the ACP Awards Ceremony in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Who should be nominated?

The Pioneer Award honors those who have:

• Has spent 20 years as a college media adviser, teacher or mentor.
• Demonstrated sustained dedication to collegiate journalism.
• Had a significant, positive impact on student media programs.
• Contributed exceptional service, leadership or innovation to ACP and the student press community.
• Helped elevate the standards of student journalism nationwide.
• ACP member.

Nominations are welcomed from colleagues, advisers, educators, journalists and student media leaders who have witnessed this impact firsthand.

Advisers may also self-nominate, but they must include letters of support demonstrating their contributions in our field.

How to Nominate

Submit a nomination that includes:

• A detailed letter describing the candidate’s contributions.
• Supporting materials outlining their service, leadership, and influence.
• Any documentation that shows how they have advanced collegiate journalism.
• Candidate’s vita
• Candidate’s own philosophy on Why Journalism Matters on our College Campuses and the importance of a free press in our newsrooms.

Deadline: Feb. 2, 2026
Submit to Laura Widmer: laura@studentpress.org

David Adams*
Fort Hays State University
Kansas State University
Indiana University 

Robert Adams*
Western Kentucky University 

Ann Akers*
Associated Collegiate Press 

Chuck Baldwin*
University of South Dakota 

Bob Bergland*
Missouri Western State University 
Northwest Missouri State University

Paul Bittick*
California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo 

Robert Bohler*
Texas Christian University 

Karen Bosley*
Ocean County College (New Jersey) 

John Boyd*
Indiana State University 

Max Branscomb*
Southwestern College (California) 

Bob Bullard*
Michigan State University 

Stacia Campbell*
Northwestern University (Illinois) 

Steven Chappell*
Northwest Missouri State University 

Jan Childress*
Texas Tech University 

William Click*
Winthrop University (South Carolina) 

Jolene Combs*
El Camino College (California) 

Mona Cravens*
University of Southern California 

Jenny Tenpenny Crouch*
Middle Tennessee State University 

Albert “Flip” DeLuca*
James Madison University (Virginia) 

William D. Downs Jr.*
Ouachita Baptist University (Arkansas) 

Bill Elsen*
The Washington Post 

Stacy Sparks England*
Dodge City Community College (Kansas) 
St. Mary of the Plains College (Kansas) 
Southwestern College (Kansas) 

Dorothy Estes*
University of Texas at Arlington 

Vince Filak*
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 

Annette Forbes*
Iowa State University 

Beth Francesco*
University of Texas at Arlington
National Press Club

Joe Gisondi*
Eastern Illinois University
Valencia College (Florida)

Mark Goodman*
Student Press Law Center 

Lloyd Goodman*
University of Texas at Arlington 

Nancy Green*
University of Kentucky
University of Texas 

Rick Green
Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)

Laura York Guy*
Garden City Community College (Kansas) 

Gerry Hamilton*
Pennsylvania State University 

Jay Hartwell*
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa 

Mike Hiestand*
Student Press Law Center 

Chet Hunt*
San Antonio College (Texas) 

Louis Ingelhart*
Ball State University 

Eric Jacobs*
University of Pennsylvania 

Ron Johnson*
Fort Hays State University
Kansas State University
Indiana University 

Michael Jordan*
Pepperdine University (California) 

Rachele Kanigel*
San Francisco State University 

Fred Kildow*
Associated Collegiate Press 

Doug Kirchberg*
Madison Area Technical College (Wisconsin) 

David Knott*
Ball State University 

Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver*
Florida International University 

Kelley Lash*
Rice University (Texas) 

Ira David Levy*
Wilbur Wright College (Illinois)
Kansas State University 

C.W. Little*
Santa Ana College (California) 

Frank LoMonte*
Student Press Law Center 

Gary Lundgren*
University of Arkansas 

Richard “Dick” Lytle*
Southern Methodist University (Texas) 

Wayne Maikranz*
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 

Kate McCarty*
University of Alabama
University of Texas 

C.J. Medlin*
Kansas State University 

Gary Metzker*
California State University Long Beach 

Harry Montevideo*
University of Georgia 

Reid Montgomery*
Florida State University 

Bill Neville*
University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Linda Owens*
University of South Carolina Aiken 

Pat Parish*
Louisiana State University 

Erica Perel*
University of North Carolina 

Marilyn Peterson*
Midland College (Nebraska) 

Tom Pierce*
Valencia College (Florida) 

Mark Plenke*
California State University, Chico 

Dario Politello*
University of Massachusetts 

Linda Puntney*
Kansas State University 

Jose Quevedo*
Miami Dade College (Florida) 

Sara Quinn*
Poynter Institute of Media Studies
Kansas State University
University of Minnesota

Mark Raduziner*
Johnson County Community College (Kansas) 

Judy Riedl*
University of Oregon 

Jim Rodenbush
Colorado State University
Penn State University
Webster University
Indiana University

Tom Rolnicki*
Associated Collegiate Press 

Nils Rosdahl*
North Idaho College 

Ken Rosenauer*
Missouri Western State University  

Arthur “Sandy” Sanderson*
University of Iowa 

Charles Savedge*
yearbook consultant 

Laura Schaub*
University of Oklahoma 

Kevin Schwartz*
University of North Carolina 

Al Scroggins*
University of South Carolina 

Emily Sendin
Miami Dade College (FL)

Michael Serino*
Ithaca College (New York) 

Trum Simmons*
Harrisburg Area Community College (Pennsylvania) 

Susan Smith*
South Dakota State University 

Ron Spielberger*
College Media Association
University of Memphis 

Randy Stano*
University of Miami 

Richard “Dick” Sublette*
University of Illinois
University of California, Los Angeles
Florida State University

Edmund Sullivan*
Columbia Scholastic Press Association 

Sherri Taylor*
Syracuse University (New York) 

Ann Thorne*
Missouri Western State College 

James Tidwell*
Eastern Illinois University 

Al Tims*
University of Minnesota 

Terry Vander Hayden*
Franklin College (Indiana) 

Pete Waack*
Colorado State University 

Arvli Ward
UCLA
California State University,
Northridge

Bruce Watterson*
yearbook consultant 

David Wendelken*
James Madison University (Virginia) 

Nancy White*
Hillsborough Community College (Florida) 

Ron White*
Louisiana Tech University 

Laura Widmer*
Northwest Missouri State University 

Ed Williams*
Auburn University (Alabama) 

Bradley Wilson*
Midwestern State University (Texas) 

Mark Witherspoon*
Iowa State University 

Ruth Witmer*
Indiana University 

Mark Woodhams*
University of Arizona 

Paul Wright*
University of Alabama