The student-run news organization earned national recognition at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association National College Media Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The honors highlight the strength of Elon’s student journalism across platforms.
Elon News Network earned nine awards during the National College Media Conference hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association in Kansas City, Missouri, Nov. 4-7.
The contest comprised hundreds of entries from college media outlets from across the country. Below is a list of the Elon winners.
- Winner – Newspaper Pacemaker | The Pendulum | Feb. 4, 2026 edition and April 29, 2026 edition
- Winner – Multiplatform Pacemaker | Elon News Network
- 1st Place – Best of Show Feature Story | Catherine Smith ’26 | “Clipping the South’s wisteria problem”
- 2nd Place – Best of Show Website | Elon News Network | www.elonnewsnetwork.com
- 3rd Place – Best of Show Broadcast Feature Story | Emma Luckman ’29 | “Elon students build modified toy cars for children”
- 4th Place – Best of Show Newspaper | The Pendulum | April 29, 2026
- 5th Place – Best of Show Broadcast | “ENN Tonight” | Sept. 28, 2026
- 5th Place – Best of Show Broadcast News Story | Charlotte Pfabe ’27 | “N.C. drivers react to high gas prices”
- 8th Place – Best of Show News Story | Elissa Leka ’29 | “Fire code violations strain university, town relations”
Elon students attending the National College Media Convention included Leka, Lily Mosbacher ’29, Emma Perman ’29 and Mia Torres ’29. They were accompanied by Colin Donohue, School of Communications director of student engagement and special projects, assistant professor of journalism, and ENN adviser.
ENN is a student-run news organization covering Elon University and the broader Alamance County community. It includes The Pendulum newspaper, “ENN Tonight” broadcast, elonnewsnetwork.com website, as well as social media accounts, podcasts and newsletters. Elon students can join ENN regardless of their experience level, major or year in school.