Biola student publications took journalism gold on Oct. 26 at the 92nd annual Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers convention in New Orleans. For the first time, Biola’s student online newspaper, The Chimes Online, won the Pacemaker Award — the highest national award for student online publications. Additionally, Biola’s student magazine, The Point — a prior Pacemaker award recipient — was named a finalist this year.

“Every staff is a collection of winners in one way or another, but to see Chimes work ranked among the best in the nation sends a signal,” said Michael Longinow, faculty adviser of The Chimes and chair of Biola’s Department of Journalism and Integrated Media.

Pacemaker winners were selected from 277 entries for the online category, judged by journalism professionals with extensive online media credentials.

The Chimes Online’s shift to a “Web first” approach in recent years built the foundation for the publication to achieve the coveted award. Elizabeth Sallie (’13), editor-in-chief from 2011 to 2013, was instrumental in helping the online staff develop its sense for “Web first” approaches to news, sports and feature stories, said Longinow.

“Our transition was a complete shift in every aspect of how we did things,” said Sallie. “Starting in 2011, we began to slowly rework everything from content creation to publishing with the Web in mind. Web became our main priority over the print edition. It required a new mindset, but we believe that mindset was consistent with the direction the industry is heading.”

According to the ACP, judges noted “the most successful sites had clean and accessible designs, excellent writing and editing, strong handling of breaking news and had superb social integration.”

“The passion and drive of these Chimes staffers has been a continual joy,” said Longinow. “Each year they catch the vision for doing work at or above the level of professionals doing journalism.”

Longinow is a longtime participant adviser and speaker in the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers conventions, and national executive director of ACCM. He sees the successes of The Chimes and The Point as evidence that students are capable of the professionalism that will get the attention of those looking to hire top-performing students with media skills. 

Four other schools’ online editions won a Pacemaker in the category of schools with enrollment of 5,0001 to 10,000 students: Harvard University, University of Tampa, Ithaca College, and The New School, Eugene Lang College.

The Chimes print edition won a Pacemaker award in 2011.

“It’s exciting to see The Chimes continuing this trajectory of award-winning work — not because of the fame that comes with that, but because of the continued opportunity to represent Christ among collegiate journalists,” said Sallie.

The Point Named Pacemaker Finalist

The staff of the 2012-13 Point magazine was named a finalist for the magazine Pacemaker award, which is not the first time the magazine has won national recognition for writing, design and overall excellence.

Tamara Welter, assistant professor of journalism and faculty adviser to The Point, has guided the student-run magazine to national awards multiple times since she helped create the magazine in 2006.

“I am always so proud of the team that works throughout the year to develop strong camaraderie, growing as leaders and as practitioners. The experience, in my mind, is so much greater than the product they complete,” said Welter.

“The Point has continued to set high expectations year after year for future staffs. Being named a finalist once again was a great honor for The Point, especially when competing with such large universities."

Welter is national vice president of Advisers of Christian Collegiate Media (ACCM).

“More and more we've appreciated the increased professionalism of our students on the staff at The Point,” said Welter. “The fact that our students aren't afraid to tackle difficult topics issue after issue and do so unashamedly resourcing the foundational truths of God, indicates the seriousness with which they consider their craft and their faith.”

During Welter’s sabbatical last year, Brett McCracken, managing editor of Biola Magazine, served as the acting adviser for the nominated magazine issue.

Read The Chimes Online.

Read The Point magazine.

Learn more about Biola’s department of journalism and integrated media.

Written by Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Specialist. For more information, contact Jenna at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.