{"id":28409,"date":"2026-02-12T20:42:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T02:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/?p=28409"},"modified":"2026-03-09T19:56:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:56:55","slug":"2026-online-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/2026\/02\/12\/2026-online-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Online Pacemaker finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Top collegiate websites sites announced<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ACP Pacemaker competition names 44 finalists as \u2018the best of the best\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feb. 12, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Associated Collegiate Press has recognized 44 online news and feature sites as finalists in the Online Pacemaker competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The finalists will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday\u2019s awards ceremony at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference<\/a>,\u00a0 March 5-7, 2026, in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in 2024, ACP started presenting the Online Pacemaker award in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis shift allows the sites to be reviewed in real time during the school year and for the student editors to also be recognized in real time rather than in the fall of the next school year,\u201d associate director Gary Lundgren said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in 2026, judging teams began reviewing the sites, focusing on content posted after June 17, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this contest, news and feature websites are accepted. The websites may be produced in conjunction with a print newspaper or magazine or a stand-alone site. In addition to reviewing the overall sites, judges paid particular attention to the URLs of three content presentations suggested by editors on the contest entry form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The judges are now visiting the sites of the Pacemaker finalists on a regular basis before selecting the Pacemakers on March 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Pacemaker is the association\u2019s preeminent award,\u201d executive director Laura Widmer said. \u201cACP is honored to recognize the best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 44 finalists represent 20 states. California set the pace with 12 finalists, followed by Texas with six. The finalists include 37 four-year and seven two-year schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online sites from two-year and four-year schools competed in separate divisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the four-year school category, websites competed against those from colleges and universities with similar enrollments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s best online sites are platforms for rich multimedia storytelling,\u201d Lundgren said. \u201cDeep and diverse coverage with strong engagement and interactivity distinguish the best student-produced sites.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this competition, only the online product was judged. The deadline is June 15, 2026, for Broadcast, Innovation, Magazine, Multiplatform and Newspaper\/Newsmagazine Pacemaker competitions. Those finalists will be announced in September 2025 and awarded at the fall convention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at the ACP Spring College Media Conference<\/a> in San Francisco, March 5-7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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2026 Online Pacemaker finalists<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

listed by state<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mustang News
<\/strong><\/a>California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
Editor-in-chief: Leila Touati
Advisers: Kim Bisheff, Pat Howe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Daily Titan
<\/a><\/strong>California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California
Editor-in-chief: Jayden Lovelady
Advisers: Frank Russell, Ren\u00e9e Tuzee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Collegian
<\/a><\/strong>California State University, Fresno
Fresno, California
Editor-in-chief: Jazmin Alvarado
Adviser: Donald Munro<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The State Hornet
<\/strong><\/a>California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Editor-in-chief: Delaney Joyce
Adviser: Fernando Gallo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hornet
<\/strong><\/a>Fullerton College
Fullerton, California
Editor-in-chief: Elycia Young
Adviser: Jessica Langlois<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Express
<\/strong><\/a>Las Positas College
Livermore, California
Editor-in-chief: Camille LeDuc
Advisers: Melissa Korber, Marcus Thompson II<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pierce College Roundup
<\/strong><\/a>Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, California
Editor-in-chief: Daisy Aguinada
Adviser: Morgan Keith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Los Angeles Loyolan
<\/strong><\/a>Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California
Editor-in-chief: Olivia Silvester
Advisers: Tom Nelson, Kevin O\u2019Keeffe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pepperdine Graphic
<\/strong><\/a>Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Editors-in-chief: Tony Gleason, Gabrielle Salgado
Adviser: Elizabeth Smith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Collegian
<\/strong><\/a>San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, California
Editors-in-chief: Andrea Baltodano, Levi Goerzen, Zack Kirk-Newton
Advisers: Tara Cuslidge-Staiano, Matthew Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Corsair
<\/strong><\/a>Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, California
Editors-in-chief: Adriana Brady, Katie Easterson
Advisers: Gerard Burkhart, Samantha Nu\u00f1ez, Sharyn Obsatz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Daily Bruin
<\/strong><\/a>University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Red & Black
<\/strong><\/a>University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Editors-in-chief: Katie Guenthner, Allison Mawn
Adviser: Kayla Renie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Eastern News
<\/strong><\/a>Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Editors-in-chief: Alli Hausman, Gunnar Olson
Advisers: Greg Cooper, Tim Drachlis, Joe Gisondi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Northwestern
<\/strong><\/a>Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
Editors-in-chief: Emily Lichty, Lily Ogburn
Adviser: Stacia Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ball State Daily News
<\/strong><\/a>Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Editor-in-chief: Meghan Braddy
Adviser: Corey Ohlenkamp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Iowan
<\/strong><\/a>University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Editors-in-chief: Roxy Ekberg, Isabelle Foland
Adviser: Jason Brummond<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sunflower
<\/a><\/strong>Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
Editor-in-chief: Taliyah Winn
Adviser: Amy DeVault<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kentucky Kernel
<\/a><\/strong>University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Editor-in-chief: Giana Gallo
Advisers: Ryan Craig, Bryce McNeil, David Stephenson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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College Heights Herald
<\/a><\/strong>Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Editor-in-chief: \u200b\u200bJake McMahon
Advisers: Chuck Clark, Carrie Pratt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Talisman
<\/a><\/strong>Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Editor-in-chief: Clarissa Dean
Advisers: Clinton Lewis, Sam Oldenburg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Harvard Crimson
<\/a><\/strong>Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Editors-in-chief: Matteo Diaz, Dhruv Patel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Central Michigan Life
<\/a><\/strong>Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Editor-in-chief: Masha Smahliuk
Advisers: Regan Foster, Kathleen Simon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Michigan Daily
<\/a><\/strong>University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Zhane Yamin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Minnesota Daily
<\/a><\/strong>University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Editor-in-chief: Alexis Letang
Adviser: Charlie Weaver<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arrow
<\/a><\/strong>Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Editor-in-chief: Lily Niebrugge
Adviser: Emmanuel Maduneme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ithacan
<\/a><\/strong>Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York
Editor-in-chief: Prakriti Panwar
Adviser: Casey Musarra<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Washington Square News
<\/a><\/strong>New York University
New York City, New York
Editor-in-chief: Dharma Niles
Adviser: Russell Berman, Nancy Nealy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Orange
<\/a><\/strong>Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Editor-in-chief: Kendall Luther<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Chronicle
<\/a><\/strong>Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Editor-in-chief: Ana Despa
Adviser: Chrissy Murray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Elon News Network
<\/a><\/strong>Elon University
Elon, North Carolina
Editor-in-chief: Nia Bedard
Adviser: Kelly Furnas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Tar Heel
<\/a><\/strong>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Editor-in-chief: Alli Pardue
Adviser: Will Lingo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OU Daily
<\/a><\/strong>University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Editors-in-chief: Ana Barboza, Anusha Fathepure
Adviser: Seth Prince<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Pennsylvanian
<\/a><\/strong>University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Editor-in-chief: Emily Scolnick
Adviser: Katherine Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Gamecock
<\/a><\/strong>University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Editor-in-chief: Jenna Swenson
Advisers: Sydney Cranmer, Sarah Scarborough<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Vanderbilt Hustler
<\/a><\/strong>Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Editor-in-chief: Jacob Stoebner
Adviser: Paige Clancy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baylor Lariat
<\/a><\/strong>Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Foster Nicholas
Advisers: Doug Pils, Julie Reed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Collegian
<\/a><\/strong>Tarrant County College
Hurst, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Ash Petrie
Advisers: Lori Dann, Stacy Luecker, Chris Whitley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Battalion
<\/strong><\/a>Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Ian Curtis
Adviser: Sara Gonzales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The University Star
<\/strong><\/a>Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Blake Leschber
Adviser: Laura Krantz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Toreador
<\/a><\/strong>Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Jacob Lujan
Adviser: Sheri Lewis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Texan
<\/strong><\/a>University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
Editor-in-chief: Ava Saunders
Adviser: Peter Chen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Breeze
<\/a><\/strong>James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Editor-in-chief: Eleanor Shaw
Advisers: Brad Jenkins, Ryan Parkhurst<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Clarion
<\/a><\/strong>Madison Area Technical College
Madison, Wisconsin
Editor-in-chief: Sara Bernabe
Adviser: Doug Kirchberg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Top collegiate websites sites announced ACP Pacemaker competition names 44 finalists as \u2018the best of the best\u2019 Feb. 12, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Associated Collegiate Press has recognized 44 online news and feature sites as finalists in the Online Pacemaker competition. The finalists will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday\u2019s awards ceremony at […]<\/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\/28409"}],"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=28409"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28409\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28459,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28409\/revisions\/28459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}