Eastern Progress receives coveted Pacemaker Award

RICHMOND, Ky. (EKU Public Relations) – The Eastern Progress, the academic journal of Eastern Kentucky University, received the Pacemaker 100 Award from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP). Founded in 1921, CAP has trained and honored academic journalists through conventions, workshops and awards for a century. Its Pacemaker Award is the most coveted award in academic journalism.

“The Pacemaker 100 represents a unique snapshot of the top 100 publications recognized in the competition throughout its history. Each Pacemaker finalist was awarded five points and each Pacemaker was awarded 10 points. The results were tabulated in June 2021, ”the ACP said in a statement.

Dr. Libby Fraas, Professor Emeritus at Eastern Kentucky University, served as Progress Advisor from 1987 to 2002, during which time Progress won three National Pacemaker Awards. She said the Pacemaker 100 Award is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of Eastern students over the years. “I am so proud of the many EKU students who have worked for Progress around class and at bedtime to produce a journal every Thursday. For progress to be included in this distinguished list of campus publications is a tribute to these students. Hopefully the pursuit of excellence in academic journalism – and indeed at all levels of journalism – will continue to be valued and recognized over the next 100 years, ”said Fraas.

The Progress won National Pacemaker Awards in 1990 (Jeff Newton, Editor), 1994 (Amy Etmans / Joe Castle, Editors), 1996 (Don Perry, Editor) and 2003 (Jennifer Rogers, Editor), as well as Regional Pacemaker Awards over its nearly 100-year history. The 2003 Pacemaker Award was won by staff advised by Jennifer Almjeld, an EKU graduate and former Fraas student, now an associate professor at James Madison University.

Progress in its current iteration is housed in the EKU School of Communication, which is under the direction of Principal Dr Ginny Whitehouse. Whitehouse said that as journalism has evolved, so has the method of delivering news publications.

“The Eastern Progress has been the training ground for journalism students who now work in a multitude of industries across our region. Progress students learned about the value of free speech, the importance of speaking the truth, and what it means to stand up for the First Amendment. We are now the Eastern Progress Media Network, which supports print, online, podcast and video programming, ”Whitehouse said. “We have moved on from a major in Journalism, so that our students have the opportunity to obtain a concentration in Multimedia Journalism in Broadcasting and Electronic Media, thereby gaining the necessary experience to meet the challenges of changing business. media platforms. “

Whitehouse said the School of Communication plans to recognize the Progress’ 100^e anniversary at Homecoming 2022 and invites all Progress alumni to celebrate its centenary and the Pacemaker 100.

“To be named one of the Pacemaker 100 Campus Publications is an incredible honor for our current and former student journalists. This recognition will certainly encourage our new roster of editors to continue the good work done during the last century of Progress, ”said current Progress Advisor Tricia Fulks Kelley, Assistant Professor at the School of Communication. “Being a journalist is covering stories that impact those around you, asking the tough questions and finding the truth even if there is reluctance. Journalism is vital to the fabric of our society, and we plan to continue this work for many years to come. “

EKU is joined on the ACP top 100 Pacemaker list by three other Kentucky college news publications: The Murray State News at Murray State, The Kentucky Kernel at the University of Kentucky, and the College Heights Herald at Western Kentucky University. The CAP will unveil the top ten Pacemaker Universities at its convention October 14-17 in New Orleans (https://studentpress.org/acp/2021/07/08/pacemaker-100/). The Eastern Progress was first published on February 22, 1922. Since 1987, Progress has won over 20 National Awards, including four National Pacemakers Awards and three Gold Crown Awards. It was recognized as the Best Multipurpose Campus Journal by the Society of Professional Journalists in 1997 and 1998.