Student newspaper wins national award

The Breeze, the student newspaper at James Madison University, has been recognized as one of the top non-daily student papers in the nation.

The Associated Collegiate Press awarded the twice-weekly newspaper with a Pacemaker award during the organization’s national convention in Philadelphia on Nov. 1. Just 10 newspapers from four-year institutions across the country received the honor in the non-daily newspaper category.

This is the first time in more than 20 years The Breeze has won the award. “To realize you are working for one of the top non-daily college newspapers in the country — it's an amazing accomplishment,” said Sean Cassidy, editor-in-chief.

In addition, managing editor IJ Chan received an honorable mention for her story, “Spread of Molly drug causes national concern.” Chan was one of eight students acknowledged in ACP’s Story of the Year category.

The staff of a professional newspaper or news organization selects the winners based on coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics.

“When I came here in 2006, one of my own goals was to lead in such a way that I could help the students win a Pacemaker,” said Brad Jenkins, general manger of The Breeze, “not because awards in and of themselves are important, but because I knew that this award stands for all-around journalistic excellence, and I knew our students were capable of achieving at this level.”

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Jordan Bogner ('15)

Nov. 3, 2014