The College Heights Herald has won a 2017 Associated Collegiate Press Newspaper Pacemaker Award, the highest national award given to collegiate newspapers.

The Herald was one of 23 collegiate newspapers to be awarded a Pacemaker this year. Additionally, a story by former Herald editor and reporter Nicole Ares won first place in the “Story of the Year” category.

Ares’ story, “In the dark,” investigated instances of sexual misconduct by faculty and staff members at public universities in Kentucky. Records requested for Ares’ story also led to the ongoing lawsuit between WKU and the Herald.

Additionally, the Talisman won Pacemaker awards in the yearbook and website categories.

Shay Harney, managing editor of the Herald and former editor in chief, attended the National College Media Convention in Dallas, Texas, where the Herald was presented with the award.

“The Pacemaker is a testament to our hard work, diligence and persistence for our truth,” Harney said.

Current editor-in-chief Andrew Henderson said he was “ecstatic” upon learning the Herald had won the Pacemaker.

“Here’s to winning one next year, to more amazing stories, possibly more lawsuits, more laughs and more popcorn Wednesdays,” Henderson said.

A previous edition of this story stated that Nicole Ares’ story “In the dark,” investigated sexual misconduct of faculty and staff members at WKU. The story investigated sexual misconduct of faculty and staff members at public universities in Kentucky, not exclusively at WKU. The Herald regrets the error. 

News editor Monica Kast can be reached at [email protected] and 270-745-6011. Follow her on Twitter at @monica_kast.