UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Students Recognized for Outstanding Online Journalism

April 30, 2015

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

April 30, 2015



Students on the Patriot Talon staff at The University of Texas at Tyler have been recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press for outstanding online journalism, Dr. Dennis Cali, UT Tyler Department of Communication chair, announced.

The Patriot Talon website, patriottalon.com, is a 2015 ACP Online Pacemaker Award finalist. UT Tyler is the only Texas institution to be named a finalist in this year’s competition. Overall, only 29 websites were selected from among 145 entries, which were divided into categories based on publication type and school enrollment.

“This is a fairly big accolade,” said Kevin Dilley, Talon adviser and UT Tyler senior lecturer. “It’s the culmination of three year’s worth of work. So many have contributed pieces to the building of something that is now one of the top five websites in the nation.”

Judges noted the top competitors provided readers with a complete visual experience, utilizing graphics, powerful photography and polished multimedia to tell stories, and timely coverage of topics relevant to the audience was a must. The best sites also engaged audiences effectively on social media.

The Pacemaker winners will be announced for the first time at the organization’s national college media convention this fall in Austin.

The Patriot Talon, the student-run media outlet at UT Tyler, is designed to inform, entertain, educate and heighten awareness of students, faculty, staff and administrators at the university.

For more information, call 903.566.7253.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.