For the second straight year, a Texas A&M University student publication has earned a Pacemaker Award, college journalism’s highest award. The university’s yearbook, “The Aggieland,” received a Pacemaker at the 88th Annual National College Media Convention in Austin. “The Battalion,” Texas A&M’s student newspaper, received the 2008 Pacemaker Award and was a finalist for the award three times between 1991 and 1997.
(Media-Newswire.com) - For the second straight year, a Texas A&M University student publication has earned a Pacemaker Award, college journalism’s highest award. The university’s yearbook, “The Aggieland,” received a Pacemaker at the 88th Annual National College Media Convention in Austin. “The Battalion,” Texas A&M’s student newspaper, received the 2008 Pacemaker Award and was a finalist for the award three times between 1991 and 1997.
“The Pacemaker is college journalism’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize and the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a college yearbook,” said Robert Wegener, general manager of Student Media.
This recognition follows other recent awards presented to Student Media at Texas A&M.
Earlier this year "The Battalion" was recognized by the Texas Crime Prevention Association ( TCPA ) for “Outstanding Crime Prevention Media” honors for the State of Texas.
More recently, Amanda Casanova, editor-in-chief of "The Battalion," received a $3,000 scholarship from the Headliners Foundation in Austin. She was honored at a luncheon featuring Dan Rather as keynote speaker.
In addition to the Pacemaker Award, Stephen Fogg and Chris Griffin, staff members of “The Battalion,” received Associated Collegiate Press 2009 individual awards. The awards are considered to be the highest national honors for student journalists.
Fogg, a senior marketing major from The Woodlands, won honorable mention in the “picture story” category for photo excellence. Fogg accompanied a 2009 student body presidential candidate during campaigning in the spring. He then put together a story using his photographs and captions.
The ACP photo excellence contest is co-sponsored by the national press photographers association and honors student photographers in five categories: general news, spot news, feature, sports, environmental portrait and picture story. Entries are judged based on technical quality, artistic value and journalistic content. There were a total of 849 entries.
“I’m very honored and very humbled,” said Fogg, who was spring photo editor for the 2008 "Aggieland." "I put a great deal of time and effort into that project and it’s great to see that others liked it."
Griffin, a graduate student in visualization science from New Braunfels, received $100 in third place in the cartooning awards.
More than 170 entries were submitted in the cartooning awards, co-sponsored by the Universal Press Syndicate, the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world. Cartoon entries were judged based on reader impact, community importance, artistic quality, originality and clarity of message.
“I’m honored my comic strip was picked. It’s a relief to see that someone else enjoys my satirical ranting besides me,” Griffin said.
“Whether from behind the lens of a camera or at the end of a pen, Chris and Stephen are both very talented at their respective trades,” Casanova said. “We are proud that they were they honored for their quality work. ‘The Battalion’ is grateful for their dedication and excellence in all they produce.”
This was the first time that the “Aggieland” won the Pacemaker, but the yearbook was a finalist for 2000, 2004 and 2007.
“It is hard to imagine any greater recognition and honor for a year of hard work than with a Pacemaker,” said Catherine Tepera, the 2008 “Aggieland” editor-in-chief. “Winning this award is merely a visual representation of the dedication and year-long pursuit of seven amazing section editors, their staffs and myself. 'The Aggieland' has always upheld a standard of excellence so winning the Pacemaker now is a dream come true.”
Judges looked for a number of factors into consideration before awarding the Pacemaker, including excellent photography, complete coverage, innovative design and exemplary copy. Out of the 54 total entries, 15 college yearbooks were chosen as Pacemaker finalists. “The Aggieland” was among seven winners.
Contacts: Cheri Shipman, news adviser for The Battalion, 979-458-1207 or Robert Wegener, general manger for Student Media, 979-862-7658
Related Content
Published by:
N/A
Release Date
This story was released on 2009-11-11. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.