The Associated College Press named The Hatchet’s Web site winner of its Online Pacemaker award for the first time since the ACP created the award in 1995, the organization announced last month.

Formerly known as the Best of Net competition, the Online Pacemaker was the first nationwide competition for online college student publications. Pacemaker awards are the organization’s top honor.

The Hatchet’s Web site is one of nine online college student publications to receive the award, which according to the ACP is based on design, ease of navigation, writing and editing, graphics and interactivity.

“Over the past few years – and particularly last year – The Hatchet’s Web site developed significantly. It’s really exciting to see that it is considered one of the best college newspaper sites in the country,” said The Hatchet’s editor in chief, senior Caitlin Carroll. “All of this year’s and last year’s staffs should be really enthusiastic about this important recognition.”

Winners of the award were announced at the National College Media Convention in St. Louis last month.

Other schools with winning Web sites include Santa Clara University, Columbia College, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Iowa State University, Harvard University, Ithaca College, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Wisconsin.

In April, The Hatchet was named the region’s best non-daily college newspaper by the Society of Professional Journalists for the third year in a row. Last year, The Hatchet received ACP’s Pacemaker award for its print edition.