The K-State Collegian, preparing to celebrate its 130th year at K-State in 2026, earned a 2nd Place finish in the College Media Association Organizational Pinnacle awards last Friday at the national MediaFest 2025 conference in Washington D.C. Oct. 14-18.
Last year’s newspaper staff was led by editor-in-chief Cole Bertelsen and managing editor Meredith McCalmon. The team was advised by Collegian Media Group interim director Tim Schrag with assistance from CMG publications adviser Hallie Everett.
This is the highest overall mark The K-State Collegian newspaper has earned in the last decade through the College Media Association.
CMG director Spencer O’Daniel believes the best is yet to come for the new wave of K-State Collegian creators and student journalists.
“It’s incredibly impressive to place 2nd in the country against schools two or three times bigger than K-State in the CMA Organizational category for best weekly newspaper,” said O’Daniel. “We have over a dozen returners from last year’s team, so the expectations for this year’s Collegian staff are much higher and include winning a Pacemaker this time next fall.”
In total, CMG grabbed 15 awards in Washington D.C. through the K-State Collegian, Royal Purple Yearbook and Manhappenin’ magazine.
K-State Collegian managing editor Libby Zuck is one of just a few CMG student journalists who have had the chance to attend two national conventions during her time with The Collegian.
“It’s been very insightful,” said Zuck. “This time around when attending the conference, I’ve been listening to my peers and listening to their advice and experiences being a young journalist. It has helped us with new ideas for our newspaper and website to make them reader-friendly for all at K-State.”
Newspaper photographer and engineering major Payton Lee was excited to grab his first national award working for CMG with a snow storm feature photo from last school year.
“As an engineering student, there aren’t a lot of parallels to news media, so I’ve had a lot to learn in the past year,” said Lee. “I never really thought about photography – I just do it and see what happens, because I enjoy the process. Being recognized for that is both exciting and humbling.”
Associated Collegiate Press – Individual Awards and Best of Show
Feature Photo of the Year, 3rd Place, Payton Lee (K-State Collegian)
Best of Show Feature Story, 4th Place, Jolie Shultz (K-State Collegian)
Yearbook Cover of the Year, 4th Place, Jenna Fiscus (Royal Purple)
Magazine Cover of the Year, 5th Place, Kamryn Fleischer (Manhappenin’)
Best of Show Media Kit, 7th Place, Collegian Media Group
College Media Association
Weekly Newspaper of the Year, 2nd Place; K-State Collegian
Best News Photo Package, 1st Place, Cole Bertelsen, Kyra Case, Meredith McCalmon (K-State Collegian)
Best Interactive/Motion Graphic, 2nd Place, Toby Hammes (K-State Collegian)
Best Comic, 1st Place, Jacob Bush (K-State Collegian)
Best Coverage of Faith, Honorable Mention; Cole Bertelsen, Kyra Case (K-State Collegian)
Best Photo Illustration, Honorable Mention, Cole Bertelsen (K-State Collegian)
Best Vertical Short Video, Honorable Mention, Cole Bertelsen, Lilly Crist, Emma Lazarczyk, Meredith McCalmon, Grace Parks, Haley Smith (K-State Collegian)
Best Yearbook Cover, Honorable Mention, Jenna Fiscus (Royal Purple)
Best Yearbook Division Page, Honorable Mention, Jenna Fiscus (Royal Purple)
Best Feature Photo, Honorable Mention, Wittney Hammeke (Manhappenin’)
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