The Red & Black won three national awards and was a finalist for the Pacemaker Award during the Associated Collegiate Press Contests announced Saturday.

Amanda Woodruff, former Red & Black news reporter and a 2009 University alumna, took first place in the diversity story category. She wrote about minority women at the University – covering students, faculty, recruitment and support found on campus.

Bill Richards, The Red & Black’s cartoonist, won third place and $100 for the 2009 editorial cartoon award. He was named a finalist for the award in 2008 and the Scripps Howard Foundation’s Charles M. Schulz Award. Richards was also named to first place nationally for editorial cartooning by the Society of Professional Journalists last year and was named the Region 3 winner three years in a row.

Melanie McNeely, a former Red & Black page designer and 2009 University alumna, took third place for ACP newspaper page/spread for an Out & About cover she designed about Athica.

The staff was named a finalist for the Pacemaker Award – a competition which began in 1927 to honor top scholastic newspapers. Judges select Pacemakers based on coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, design, photography, art and graphics. It is one of the highest honors given to student publications.

The students were recognized Saturday at the 88th National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas.