{"id":28400,"date":"2026-02-12T20:14:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T02:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/?p=28400"},"modified":"2026-03-09T19:57:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:57:02","slug":"2026-business-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/2026\/02\/12\/2026-business-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Business Pacemaker finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-1024x212.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28465\" width=\"617\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-1024x212.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-300x62.png 300w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-768x159.png 768w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-1536x318.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/site.banner.acp_.PM_.finalists.business-1-2048x424.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ACP Pacemaker recognizes business excellence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Four collegiate student media operations recognized&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Feb. 11, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press has named four collegiate student media operations as finalists in its Business Pacemaker competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The finalists will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday\u2019s awards ceremony at <a href=\"https:\/\/acpconference.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the ACP Spring National College Media Conference<\/a>,&nbsp; March 5-7, 2026, in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the four finalists, two will receive Pacemaker honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe business and marketing side of student media is critical in today\u2019s media world \u2014 it is very important for ACP to recognize this important aspect of journalism,\u201d said ACP associate director Gary Lundgren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The judges were impressed with the entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Pacemaker winners put together outstanding application packets that included important information on training programs, development of various products and goals,\u201d the judging team wrote. \u201cThese schools also had strong media kits and put together great examples of product work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ACP Pacemaker, 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 websites were added to the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Business Pacemaker recognizes outstanding student media business and operations teams that work hard to ensure student journalism is supported financially so that it may thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Pacemaker is the association\u2019s preeminent award,\u201d Laura Widmer, executive director, said. \u201cACP is honored to recognize the best of the best with Pacemaker honors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL.png 1000w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/11\/trans_2026_Spring_ACP_San_Francisco_identity_FINAL-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Please join us at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/acpconference.org\/\">ACP Spring College Media Conference<\/a>&nbsp;in San Francisco, March 5-7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This conference 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 Business Pacemaker finalists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-6\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/California-Polytechnic-State-University-San-Luis-Obispo-web.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/California-Polytechnic-State-University-San-Luis-Obispo-web.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/California-Polytechnic-State-University-San-Luis-Obispo-web.png 576w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/California-Polytechnic-State-University-San-Luis-Obispo-web-230x300.png 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mustang Media Group<br><\/strong>California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo<br>San Luis Obispo, California<br>Student Leadership: Sean Harmon, Logan Teixeira<br>Adviser: Jon Schlitt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Western-Kentucky-University-web.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"752\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Western-Kentucky-University-web.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Western-Kentucky-University-web.png 576w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Western-Kentucky-University-web-230x300.png 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WKU Student Publications<br><\/strong>Western Kentucky University<br>Bowling Green, Kentucky<br>Student Leadership: Keelin Davis, Olivia Games, Nicole Johnson, Harrison Rogers, Sarah Thompson<br>Advisers: Clinton Lewis, Sam Oldenburg, Avari Weis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"799\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-799x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-799x1024.png 799w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-234x300.png 234w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-768x984.png 768w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-1199x1536.png 1199w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University-1598x2048.png 1598w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/Central-Michigan-University.png 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Central Michigan Life<br><\/strong>Central Michigan University<br>Mount Pleasant, Michigan<br>Student Leadership: Mickie Dausey, Olivia Garcia, Zoey Lawrence, Mckenzie Nowak<br>Adviser: Kathy Simon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/University-of-Texas-at-Arlington-web.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"576\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/University-of-Texas-at-Arlington-web.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/University-of-Texas-at-Arlington-web.png 576w, https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/University-of-Texas-at-Arlington-web-236x300.png 236w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Shorthorn<br><\/strong>University of Texas at Arlington<br>Arlington, Texas<br>Student Leadership: Hailey Do, Pedro Malkomes<br>Advisers: Coral Chavez, Kevin Cummings, Adam Drew, Laurie Fox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ACP Pacemaker recognizes business excellence Four collegiate student media operations recognized&nbsp; Feb. 11, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 The Associated Collegiate Press has named four collegiate student media operations as finalists in its Business Pacemaker competition. The finalists will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday\u2019s awards ceremony at the ACP Spring National College Media [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28400"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28400"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28400\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28466,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28400\/revisions\/28466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}