Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) announced the students nominated for their 2020 Pacemaker Awards, last week. CCIM students scooped up an impressive 14 nominations.

“It is hard to adequately capture what earning a Pacemaker nomination means,” shares Lisa Renze-Rhodes, Director of the Unified Media Lab at Ball State. “When you consider the number of student media outlets that submit their work, it is a lot like getting a bid to an NCAA tournament — It is breathtaking.” Lisa also acknowledges that being among the top newspaper and magazine staffs recognized in this year’s pool is a nod toward the “rich history of vibrant, independent student media” at Ball State that CCIM student are fortunate to build on.

If you ask Lisa why her students are special, she will tell you about their commitment to responsible and ethical journalism, their ability to tell impactful stories, their eagerness to learn new things while never shying away from challenges. But most importantly, she will stress that they are “good humans” who care. “I am over-the-moon proud of them — all that they do, and all that they are.”

Betsy Meyer, professional advisor to The McKinley Avenue Agency, echoes Lisa’s excitement. “I believe this is the agency’s first year entering in the ACP contest, so to start this way is amazing and a testament to the great work our students produce — usually under pretty intense deadlines,” she said. However, Betsy concedes that awards and contests are never part of the conversation among the staff. Instead, the focus is on producing the best possible results for their clients. She adds, “I am so happy for our team to be recognized for their hard work and dedication. They truly deserve the honor.”


2020 Covid-19 Coverage, Design/Visuals

Graphic Design Work to explain COVID-19Name of the project: The facts about Covid

Student: Emily Wright

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

 2020 Advertisement of the Year

Advertisement showing a winding road leading to a houseName of the project: Fall Roost Housing Fair

Students: Ally General, and Michaela Tangeman

Ball State student organization: The McKinley Avenue Agency

2020 Online Advertisement of the Year

Online ad for Greek's PizzeriaName of the project: Greek’s Pizzeria Sponsored Content Article

Students: Makayla Hughes, Ted Irwin, and Michaela Tangeman

Ball State student organizations: The McKinley Avenue Agency, Cardinal Communications at The McKinley Avenue Agency and ballstatedaily.com

2020 Online Advertisement of the Year

Ad of Year Pizza KingName of the project: Pizza King Online Display Advertisement

Student: Ally General

Ball State student organization: The McKinley Avenue Agency

2020 Cartoon of the Year Finalists, Editorial Cartoon

Illustration of a young woman smiling while looking down at her T-shirtName of the project: Stare at Your Own

Student: Kennedi Barnett

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Multimedia Story of the Year Finalists, News Story

Dan Ridenour headshotName of the project: Mayoral Election

Students: Jake Helmen, Mary Eber, John Lynch, Charles Melton, Rohith Rao and Bailey Cline

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Multimedia Story of the Year Finalists, Feature Story

Stack of booksName of the project: Writing their own story

Students: Tier Morrow, Emily Wright and Jacob Musselman

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Multimedia Story of the Year Finalists, Photo Gallery

Black Lives Matter peaceful protest at Ball stateName of the project: Protests in Fort Wayne

Student: Jacob Musselman

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Multimedia Story of the Year Finalists, Interactive Graphic

Decade in Review illustrationName of the project: Decade in Review

Students: Will English and Emily Wright

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Magazine Pacemaker Finalists, Four year schools

Ball Bearings Magazine Front CoverName of the project: Ball Bearings Magazine

Students: Staff

Ball State student organization: Ball Bearings Magazine

2020 Online Pacemaker Finalists

Football player catching the ball Name of the project: Ball State Daily News Online

Students: Staff

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Newspaper Pacemaker Finalists, Four year schools

Daily News Front PageName of the project: The Ball State Daily News

Students: Staff

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Design of the Year, Newspaper Front Page

Daily News Front Page DesignName of the project: Earth Day anniversary

Student: Emily Wright

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

2020 Design of the Year, Newspaper Page or Spread

Newspaper Page SpreadName of the project — Sports page

Student: Elliott DeRose

Ball State student organization: The Ball State Daily News

Note: The full list of Pacemaker Award nominee can be found on ACP’s website. Below is a list of all Ball State nominees. The winners will be announced at ACP’s Fall National College Journalism Convention held virtually on October 22-24.


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