2025 ICPA Contest Results
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s ICPA contest. Judges from across the country reviewed more than 700 entries for work produced during 2024. Congratulations on your recognition and keep up the great work you do at your schools.
The Publication of the Year rankings are determined by the judges assigning points for the first, second and third place individual entries (5, 3 and 1). The three top point-getters in each contest area are listed below. Below also are links to PDFs listing all the individual winners in each area with judges’ comments. If you have any corrections for the spelling of names or other information, please email rwitmer@iu.edu.
Advertising Publication of the Year
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University, 16
Indiana Statesman, Indiana State University, 9
Butler Collegian, Butler University, 5
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Literary Magazine of the Year
genesis, Indiana University-Indianapolis, 21 (tie)
IU Southeast Review, Indiana University- Southeast, 21 (tie)
The Juggler, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 18
Canvas, Indiana University, 8
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News Magazine of the Year
Ball Bearings Magazine, Ball State University, 45
Scholastic, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 39
The Shield, University of Southern Indiana, 9
The Rivet, Purdue University, 9
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Division I Newspaper of the Year
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University, 87
Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, 51
Purdue Exponent, Purdue University, 32
Newspapers at schools with more than 10,000 students
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Division II Newspaper of the Year
Butler Collegian, Butler University, 66
The Reflector, University of Indianapolis, 44
Pioneer, Purdue University-Northwest, 29
Newspapers at schools with between 3,000-10,000 students
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Division III Newspaper of the Year
The Bachelor, Wabash College, 53
The Record, Goshen College, 49
The Torch, Valparaiso University, 43
Division III Newspaper results
Newspapers at schools with less than 3,000 students
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Website of the Year
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University, 65
Purdue Exponent, Purdue University, 27
The Butler Collegian, Butler University, 12
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Yearbook of the Year
Dome, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 46
Ilium, Taylor University, 18
Arbutus, Indiana University, 16
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Brook Baker Indiana Collegiate Press Association Journalist of the Year
The Brook Baker Indiana Collegiate Journalist of the Year Award is named in remembrance of the late campus editor of The Trailblazer at Vincennes University. Baker was a renaissance journalist who was primarily interested in investigative reporting. This award from ICPA honors her memory and recognizes excellence in collegiate journalism in Indiana.
In 2025, there were two finalists for this honor: Eliana Alzate from DePauw University and Mia Hilkowitz from Indiana University. Alzate is the second place recipient and Hilkowitz is the first place recipient.
Judge: Mia Hilkowitz’s courage and persistence in challenging the lieutenant governor-elect’s Tweet — and investigating whether he could make good on his threats to shut down a student newsroom — took my breath away. She showed herself a force to be reckoned with, even as she calmly interviewed him and then posted the transcript. Her news and feature stories showcased her versatility. This is an all-around outstanding portfolio.
Beckwith alleges ‘covert’ funding, suppression at IU during interview with IDS: Read the transcript.
Could the state withhold funding from IU over the IDS? Experts say it’s not that simple.
Why has the Monroe County Jail expansion project seen so many delays?
Will Gen Z voters in Indiana and across the country commit to Harris?
Agencies pour thousands of dollars into state fair to reach Hoosiers
Eliana Alzate, DePauw University, second place
Judge: Excellent work. Eliana’s work is commendable, particularly the story on police investigating students for fulfilling their assignment to “expose and challenge something we don’t notice.”
‘We need to speak out and speak loud’: Communities of Color Battle Targeted Disinformation
DePauw Police and Community Standards Board Investigate Students’ “Public Intervention” Projects
How Can Sororities Be More Inclusive to International Students?
Revolutionary Greencastle Voices: Shining a Light on “All Eyes on Rafah”
Unraveling Second-hand Histories at the Greencastle Pawn Store
Matt Simon Uncovers Poisonous Impact of Microplastics in Latest Book