{"id":29124,"date":"2026-08-26T23:54:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T04:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/?p=29124"},"modified":"2026-08-27T11:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T16:02:34","slug":"2026-newspaper-newsmagazine-pacemaker-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/2026\/08\/26\/2026-newspaper-newsmagazine-pacemaker-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Newspaper\/Newsmagazine Pacemaker finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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ACP names top student newspapers\/newsmagazines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker competition recognizes 34 finalists<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aug. 26, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Student newspapers and newsmagazines from 34 colleges and universities have been recognized as Pacemaker finalists by the Associated College Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pacemaker winners will be announced at <\/strong>the Fall National College Media Convention<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/a>at the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.<\/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 34 newspaper\/newsmagazine finalists represent 17 states and the Philippines. California and Texas set the pace with six finalists each followed by North Carolina with three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two print issues produced during the 2025-26 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\/newspaper was eliminated or would be named a finalist or winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 34 finalists, 18 will earn the Pacemaker award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newspapers from four-year schools competed against schools with similar enrollment. Newspapers from two-year schools, of all enrollments, competed in a separate category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six newspapers\/newsmagazines published by two-year schools are among the 34 finalists. Of those six, three will earn Pacemaker honors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is exciting to see how these colleges and universities are refining their print products in today\u2019s college media ecosystem,\u201d associate director Gary Lundgren said. \u201cIt is definitely a transitional time for the college student newspaper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all, 88 newspapers\/newsmagazines entered the Pacemaker competition in 2026, the same number that competed in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this competition, only the print product was judged. Online sites compete in a separate Pacemaker competition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us at the National College Media Convention<\/a> in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 4-7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This convention 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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Fall Pacemaker finalists<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine<\/a>
Multiplatform
Newspaper\/Newsmagazine<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2026 Newspaper\/Newsmagazine Pacemaker finalists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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Paw Print\/The Collegian<\/strong>
California State University, Fresno
Editors-in-chief: Jazmin Alvarado, Isaac Marquez
Adviser: Donald Munro<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Union
<\/strong>El Camino College (CA)
Editor-in-chief: Nikki Yunker
Adviser: Stefanie Frith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Pepperdine Graphic
<\/strong>Pepperdine University (CA)
Editor-in-chief: Tony Gleason
Advisers: Elizabeth Smith, Courtenay Stallings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Southwestern College Sun
<\/strong>Southwestern College (CA)
Editors-in-chief: Valeryah Lara-Urrea, Yanelli Zavina Robles
Advisers: Max Branscomb, Kenneth Pagano<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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The Miami Hurricane
<\/strong>University of Miami (FL)
Editor-in-chief: Katie Karlson
Advisers: Antonio Mora, Steven Priepke, Michelle Starbeck<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Northwestern
<\/strong>Northwestern University (IL)
Editors-in-chief: Emily Lichty, Anavi Prakash
Adviser: Stacia Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Alestle
<\/strong>Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Editor-in-chief: Dylan Hembrough
Adviser: Tammy Merrett<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ball State Daily News
<\/strong>Ball State University (IN)
Editor-in-chief: Meghan Braddy
Adviser: Corey Ohlenkamp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Indiana Daily Student
<\/strong>Indiana University
Editors-in-chief: Mia Hilkowitz, Andrew Miller
Adviser: Ruth Witmer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Iowan
<\/strong>University of Iowa
Editor-in-chief: Roxy Ekberg
Adviser: Jason Brummond<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Sunflower
<\/strong>Wichita State University (KS)
Editor-in-chief: Taliyah Winn
Adviser: Amy DeVault<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kentucky Kernel
<\/strong>University of 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
<\/strong>Western Kentucky University
Editor-in-chief: Jake McMahon
Advisers: Chuck Clark, Carrie Pratt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Tulane Hullabaloo
<\/strong>Tulane University (LA)
Editor-in-chief: Ian Faul
Adviser: Tel Bailliet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
<\/strong>Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Editors-in-chief: Buse Koldas, Lana Swindle
Adviser: Brittini Brown<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Harvard Crimson
<\/strong>Harvard University (MA)
Editors-in-chief: Matteo Diaz, Dhruv Patel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The State News
<\/strong>Michigan State University
Editor-in-chief: Satvik Shubham
Advisers: Madison Echlin, Wesley Herold, Kim Margolis, Griffin Wiles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Michigan Daily
<\/strong>University of Michigan
Editors-in-chief: Zachary Ajluni, Mary Corey, Edith Pendell, Zhane Yamin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Orange
<\/strong>Syracuse University (NY)
Editor-in-chief: Kendall Luther<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Pendulum
<\/strong>Elon University (NC)
Editor-in-chief: Sarah Moore
Adviser: Kelly Furnas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Technician
<\/strong>North Carolina State University
Editor-in-chief: Skye Crawford
Adviser: Ben McNeely<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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The Daily Barometer
<\/strong>Oregon State University
Editors-in-chief: Jenna Benson, Molly Hoglund
Adviser: Jennifer Moody<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Daily Gamecock
<\/strong>University of South Carolina
Editors-in-chief: Nat Campbell, Jenna Swenson
Advisers: Nina Brook, John Burbage, Sydney Cranmer, Krista Larson, Sarah Scarborough<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baylor Lariat
<\/strong>Baylor University (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Foster Nicholas
Advisers: Douglas Pils, Julie Reed, Jamile Yglecias<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Brookhaven Courier
<\/strong>Dallas College Brookhaven (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Corey Lyon
Advisers: Jubenal Aguilar, Daniel Rodrigue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Foghorn News
<\/strong>Del Mar College (TX)
Editor-in-chief: Layla Fonseca
Adviser: Robert Muilenburg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Rice Thresher
<\/strong>Rice University (TX)
Editors-in-chief: Sarah Knowlton, Kathleen Ortiz
Adviser: Chris Evans<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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The Battalion
<\/strong>Texas A&M University
Editors-in-chief: Ian Curtis, Kynlee Joyner
Adviser: Sara Gonzales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Clarion
<\/strong>Madison Area Technical College (WI)
Editor-in-chief: Sara Bernabe
Adviser: Doug Kirchberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Varsitarian
<\/strong>University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)
Editor-in-chief: Chalssea Echegoyen
Advisers: Felipe Salvosa II, Joselito Zulueta<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ACP names top student newspapers\/newsmagazines Pacemaker competition recognizes 34 finalists Aug. 26, 2026 MINNEAPOLIS \u2014 Student newspapers and newsmagazines from 34 colleges and universities have been recognized as Pacemaker finalists by the Associated College Press. Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention at the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29124"}],"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=29124"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29219,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29124\/revisions\/29219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentpress.org\/acp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}