THE VARSITARIAN has made history anew as the first Asian university student publication to become a finalist in the Pacemaker Awards of the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), one of the most prestigious honors in U.S. collegiate journalism.
The finalist nod for the Newspaper/Newsmagazine category was earned for the Varsitarian’s “NO TO CORRUPTION” issue and “UAAP IS HERE,” its special issue for UST’s hosting of UAAP Season 88 last year.
The Pacemaker finalist berth extends the Varsitarian’s international awards run in the United States, following victories and citations in the College Media Association (CMA) Pinnacle and Apple Awards and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Mark of Excellence Awards.
The “NO TO CORRUPTION” issue, which reported on student and public outcry over corruption in flood-control projects, earlier earned a finalist spot in the Newspaper Front Page category of the 2026 CMA Pinnacle Awards.
READ: ‘V’ lands 3 finalist spots in US College Media Association Pinnacle Awards
The Pacemaker Award, dubbed the “Pulitzer Prize of student journalism,” has recognized excellence in collegiate journalism since 1927.
ACP awards Pacemakers to outstanding student newspapers, newsmagazines, websites, broadcast programs and other forms of collegiate media.
For the Newspaper/Newsmagazine Pacemaker, judges evaluate entries based on content and coverage, writing and reporting, editorial leadership, design, photography and graphics.
Two teams of three judges evaluated each entry and analyzed its strengths and weaknesses. At least two of the three judges had to agree on whether an entry would be eliminated or named a finalist or winner.
A total of 88 newspapers and newsmagazines entered the Pacemaker competition in 2026, the same number as in 2025.
This year’s 34 finalists include Harvard University’s Harvard Crimson, the University of California, Los Angeles’ Daily Bruin and the University of Michigan’s Michigan Daily.
The finalists represent 17 U.S. states and the Philippines, with the Varsitarian standing as the lone finalist from outside North America and the first Asian collegiate publication to reach the Newspaper/Newsmagazine Pacemaker finals based on a Varsitarian review of ACP records.
Of the 34 finalists, 18 will receive the Pacemaker Award.
The winners will be announced during the ACP Awards Ceremony at the Fall National College Media Convention on Nov. 7 in Kansas City. Paolo Emmanuel DC. Blanco
