BHSU’s student-run magazine, “Ponder,” was recognized as the “best of best” at MediaFest25, earning a Magazine Pacemaker Award in Washington, D.C., on October 18. Out of 31 national magazine finalists, “Ponder” was one of just eight honored with a Pacemaker at the nation’s largest media convention for professionals and college students, sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, and Society of Professional Journalists.
“It was humbling to be recognized as one of the best magazines in the nation,” said Alec Butterfield, a senior at BHSU and co-editor-in-chief of “Ponder.” “We were sitting next to Division I schools with over 30 students in attendance and seemingly unlimited budgets, and we competed with every one of them.”
Junior Nathan Feller won the Ernie Pyle Human-Interest Profile Award, one of the most prestigious national feature writing awards in college journalism. The award is presented by Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation in honor of “the student work that best embodies the storytelling skills of the Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II correspondent.” In addition to the award for his article, “’Til the Wheels Fall Off,” Feller received a $2,200 cash award from Ernie Pyle’s family, who attended the award ceremony on behalf of the Legacy Foundation.
“I definitely didn’t expect that to happen,” Feller said. “Even going back to high school, Ernie Pyle was one of my idols, so to win an award presented by his family in his honor and to have them present and compare my work to his was surreal. I want to do this kind of journalism for a career, and I hope to live up to his legacy.”
Butterfield earned a Pacemaker award for Environmental Portrait of the Year. Butterfield’s photo of a mechanic beneath his car in a shop for the article, “We’re Not Robots,” beat out competition from students at major educational institutions.
“It’s evident in his photo that he’s applying the skills and knowledge from his photography classes,” said Skott Chandler, associate professor of photography at BHSU and faculty adviser for “Ponder.” “It’s incredible to know our students are producing work at an elite national level.”
In addition to the three first-place awards, several BHSU students also received second and third-place honors or honorable mentions. Students recognized included Butterfield, Hunter Davis, Feller, Hayden Hill, Caleb Minor, Taylor SanFilippo, Ellen Sheehy, and Noah Westergaard.
“I think it was great to network with students from other universities and magazines,” said Westergaard, co-editor-in-chief at “Ponder.” “We learned so much at the conference that we can apply to BHSU Student Media and our future careers.”
"Ponder" staff were also recognized with Best Special Section in a magazine and "Ponder" earned Honorable Mention for Best Feature Magazine of the Year.