MACON, Ga. – Mercer University's literary and arts review, The Dulcimer, is one of eight finalists for the Associated Collegiate Press 2013 Magazine Pacemaker award. The other finalists among literary magazines at four-year colleges and universities include publications at California State University, Fullerton; Yale University; Drake University; Bridgewater State University; Curry College; the University of New Mexico; and North Carolina State University. The winner will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the 92nd annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in New Orleans.
“Our students in creative writing and the arts are extremely talented, and we are very proud of their achievements,” said Dr. Lake Lambert, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “Mercer faculty do a great job mentoring students in the classroom and in co-curricular projects like The Dulcimer.”
“I am very proud of the students who worked so hard on the 2012/2013 issue,” said Craig Coleman, associate professor of art and faculty adviser for The Dulcimer. “The success of The Dulcimer sheds a much deserved light on the creative talents of the students and reflects the overall creative culture established at Mercer.”
The Pacemaker, which has been awarded since 1927, is the highest honor the ACP gives to its members. This year, entries were judged by Milkweed Editions on five criteria: content; quality of writing and editing; photography, art and graphics; layout and design; and overall concept or theme. More than 2,300 student journalists and advisers are expected to attend the convention, from Oct. 23-27, which will feature educational sessions, keynotes, workshops, critiques, a trade show and the awards ceremony.
The Dulcimer was also recently named a Gold Medalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The CSPA offers its Medalist Critique to member publications each year to help student print and online media improve their final product. Adviser-judges are recruited from across the United States to work independently, following common instructions, using critiques provided by the CSPA. Gold Medalists earn scores from 800-1,000 points; Silver Medalists from 600-799 points; and Bronze Medalists from 599 points and below.
“The editors of the magazine, Michelle Meredith and Jennifer Champagne, took the layout and design to a new level by making conceptual connections between the visual art and literary works,” said Coleman. “The entire staff generated a lot of energy and creative activity by hosting several events throughout the year, which seemed to come back to them in terms of submissions.”
The Dulcimer, which annually publishes submissions of art, photography, poetry and prose by students and alumni, was founded by Mercer's Student Government Association in 1966.
About Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,300 students in 12 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing, health professions, and continuing and professional studies – on campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah – and four regional academic centers across the state. The Mercer Health Sciences Center, launched July 1, 2012, includes the University's medical, nursing, health sciences and pharmacy schools. Mercer is affiliated with four teaching hospitals – Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital in Columbus. The University also has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. It operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu
