2026 ICPA Contest Results
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s ICPA contest. Judges from across the country reviewed more than 800 entries for work produced during 2025. 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, 18
Indiana Statesman, Indiana State University, 17
The Campus Citizen, Indiana University-Indianapolis, 6
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DI-DII Literary Magazine of the Year
genesis, Indiana University-Indianapolis, 31
IU Southeast Review, Indiana University- Southeast, 27
The Juggler, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 25
DI-II Literary Magazine results
Literary Magazines at schools with more than 3,000 students
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DIII Literary Magazine of the Year
Field: A Journal of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University-Kokomo, 31
Talking Leaves, Indiana University-Columbus, 21
Kennings Artistic and Literary Journal, Hanover College, 18
DIII Literary Magazine results
Literary Magazines at schools with less than 3,000 students
News Magazine of the Year
Scholastic, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 51
Ball Bearings Magazine, Ball State University, 25
The Shield, University of Southern Indiana, 16
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Division I Newspaper of the Year
Indiana Daily Student, Indiana University, 84
Ball State Daily News, Ball State University, 47
Purdue Exponent, Purdue University, 31
Newspapers at schools with more than 10,000 students
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Division II Newspaper of the Year
The Butler Collegian, Butler University, 85
The Reflector, University of Indianapolis, 36
Pioneer, Purdue University-Northwest, 22
Newspapers at schools with between 3,000-10,000 students
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Division III Newspaper of the Year
The Bachelor, Wabash College, 83
The Record, Goshen College, 50
The Torch, Valparaiso University, 19
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, 63
The Statehouse File, Franklin College, 19
Purdue Exponent, Purdue University, 10
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Yearbook of the Year
Ilium, Taylor University,34
Dome, University of Notre Dame-St. Mary’s College, 33
Arbutus, Indiana University,19
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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 2026, there were two finalists for this honor: Connor Brownfield from Indiana State University and Jack Forrest from Indiana University. Brownfield is the second place recipient and Forrest is the first place recipient.
Judge: Jack’s reporting shows he has excellent enterprise ideas, and his writing indicates his empathy for varying subject matter and people such as those experiencing homelessness and with the profile of Charlotte Zietlow.
‘Queen of Bloomington’: The enduring legacy of Charlotte Zietlow
‘Life saver’: A night at Bloomington’s winter emergency shelter
Is copied language in Whitten’s dissertation plagiarism? Experts weigh in.
Indianapolis Haitians Uncertain Amid Policy Change
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival: Tarot Reader
An Indiana bill would ban public sleeping. Bloomington residents are already hurting.
Connor Brownfield, Indiana State University, second place
Judge: Connor’s demanding position — from assigning and editing stories to designing pages and then to producing a show on social media — speak his terrific multifaceted skills. His own reporting and writing is also excellent.
Indiana ACLU files suit against Indiana State University
Indiana State announces largest freshman class since 2020
Indiana Daily Student and Indiana University clash over alleged censorship
Indiana State announces budget reductions
Sycamore Bands celebrate 100 years
Party at the Fountain 2 marks Spring Week midpoint