Kent State Student Media won 18 national awards presented by The College Media Association and The Associated Collegiate Press at the 2019 National College Media Convention in Washington, D.C. from Friday, Nov. 1 to Saturday, Nov.2.
The National Media Convention is a multi-day convention that invites the best and brightest of college media to learn from industry and collegiate media professionals from across the country. One highlight of the event includes the ACP and CMA awards program. Each year, finalists are selected for recognition across multiple categories that are presented during the award ceremony. Kent State Student Media received honors in categories including:
2019 ACP Pacemaker Award
- The Kent Stater, Editors: Henry Palattella, Valerie Royzman, Adviser: Sue Zake
2019 Individual ACP Awards
- Sports Feature Story, The Kent Stater, MVP, 8-time all-star, almost Golden Flash Henry Palattella, Second Place
- Breaking News Photo, The Kent Stater, Carter Adams, Fourth Place
- Magazine Cover, The Burr, Madeline Kidd, Fourth Place
- Advertising/Editorial Newspaper Supplement, Editorial and Advertising Staff, Fourth Place
- Display Advertisement, Jaron Puszakowski, Fifth Place
- Advertising Campaign, Annie Pietch, Fifth Place
- House Advertisement, Jaron Puszakowski, Honorable Mention
- Newspaper Front Page, The Kent Stater, Honorable Mention
- Podcast, GreekDoor, The Kent Stater, Anna Hunstman, Honorable Mention
2019 Individual CMA Awards
- Best TV Special Event Coverage, TV2 KSU, First Place
- Best Breaking News Coverage, KentWired.com, Second Place
- Best House Ad, Kent State Student Media, Jaron Puszakowski, Second Place
- Best Sports Game Story, KentWired.com, Henry Palattella, Third Place
- Best TV Promo/PS, TV2 KSU, Honorable Mention
- Best Television Newscast, TV2 KSU, Honorable Mention
- Best Social Media Strategy, Black Squirrel Radio, Honorable Mention
- Four-Year Feature Magazine of the Year, A Magazine, Honorable Mention
From the previous year, Student Media more than doubled their awards, having received seven in 2018 ceremony. Needless to say, winning numerous awards came as no great shock to Student Media, considering that they are fortunate to have a large pool of hardworking and outstanding students involved across their media partners.
“It is rewarding to see national attention regarding our students’ hard work,” said Assistant Director of Kent State Student Media and president, College Media Business and Advertising Managers, Tami Bongiorni who represented Kent State Student Media at the convention as well as led several sessions for CMBAM and ACP. “A student media organization is only as strong as its students and at Kent State Student Media we are extremely fortunate.”
The 2018-2019 Kent Stater Staff is especially honored to be one of the recipients of the ACP Pacemaker award, coined the “ Pulitzer Prize” of college media. The previous student editor is elated to be able to add another award to the notable lineage of The Kent Stater.
“The Kent Stater winning the ACP Pacemaker award is an incredible honor,'' said Henry Palattella. “For four years I had the privilege of working beside some of the best and brightest that student media has to offer. Being able to lead The Kent Stater for that semester was an incredible experience. I'm beyond ecstatic that the hard work that our staff put in has been recognized by this award.”
Being awarded such prestigious honors remind students of why they are continuously involved in the student-run media partners in the first place. Working alongside other talented students that ends in success makes all of the hard work and limitless hours worth it.
“Honors like this one take me right back to long nights in the newsroom with the talented journalists and friends I've gotten to know at Kent State,'' said Valerie Royzman. I'm so, so proud of everyone who played a part in making the Stater the successful and memorable newspaper it is today. We wouldn't be receiving this award if it weren't for the many reporters, editors, photographers and designers (and others!) who channeled their energy into making the Stater an excellent college newspaper.”
All award recipients were recognized at the National College Media Convention. To learn more about the National College Media Convention visit
About the College Media Association
Founded in 1954, the CMA serves student media professionals, staff, and programs with education, research, and resources. The CMA communicates and works with professional media organizations and education associations on the local, state and national levels.
For more information about the CMA visit
About the Associated Collegiate Press
The ACP is the largest and oldest national membership organization for college student media in the U.S. It’s steadfast in its mission to serve student media, introduce new ideas and reinforce best practices, reward excellence, embrace diversity, and provide ample networking and partnership opportunities. Founded in 1921, ACP is a 501-c3 association.
For more information about the ACP visit studentpress.org
About Kent State Student Media
Kent State Student Media is a more than 700 students working with 10 independent Student Media partners who create unique content distributed across 34 outlets on broadcast, print and platforms. Their core philosophy has remained constant: empower students to create valued sources of journalism, information, entertainment and advertising.
For more information about Kent State Student Media visit