Rice University’s student newspaper, The Rice Thresher, was named a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award. In university circles, the award is nicknamed “the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism,” recognizing outstanding performance for the paper as a whole.
The Thresher is led by editors Sarah Knowlton, Kathleen Ortiz and Juliana Lightsey and is supported by dozens of student journalists. It is published every Wednesday and available online.
“Being named a Pacemaker finalist is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Chris Evans, director of student media. “It’s a testament to the talent, hard work and dedication of our student journalists, who deliver professional-quality reporting without the benefit of a journalism program. The Thresher proves every week that Rice students can set the standard for excellence in college media.”
To enter, The Thresher submitted three print issues produced during the 2024-25 school year, when Riya Misra served as one of the paper’s editors. 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 was eliminated or named a finalist or winner.
In addition to evaluating excellence in key areas including coverage, writing, editing, design and photography, the judges also look for newspapers that took risks and served as a strong voice for their student audiences.
In this competition, only the print product was judged. Online sites compete in a separate Pacemaker competition. Newspapers from four-year schools competed against schools with similar enrollment. Newspapers from two-year schools of all enrollments competed in a separate category.
Texas had a large showing among the finalists. Out of nearly 50 colleges recognized nationwide, seven are in Texas.
“This says so much about the strength of student journalism in the Lone Star State,” Evans said.
Of the 49 finalists, 17 will earn the Pacemaker Award.
Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention during the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Grand Hyatt Washington.