Columbus State University’s collegiate student newspaper, The Saber, recently received its first Associated College Press Pacemaker Award. Out of 37 newspapers that were nominated for the honor nationwide, The Saber was one of only 11 to receive the award this year.
 
“This is the Pulitzer prize of college journalism. It is the top of the top,” said Raylyn Ray, 2018-2019 Editor in Chief of The Saber. “This award tells us that we are doing exactly what we should be doing as journalists.”
 
The Pacemaker judges university newspapers on merit demonstrating excellence in specific areas which include coverage, writing, editing, design, and photography.  The Saber staff submitted six issues from the 2017-2018 academic year for consideration. They were informed of their nomination in August, and they were recognized as winners at the ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday. The newspaper also received an honorable mention award for layout and design, as well as an 8th place award for its website.
 
“The efforts to maintain this level and quality of work were put in by every single member of The Saber’s team,” said Scott Declue, 2017-2018 Editor in Chief of The Saber. “I truly believe that not only should the members of this publication pat themselves on the back, the institution of Columbus State and its faculty and staff who mentor, teach, and administratively facilitate the needs of the paper should do so also.”