SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Press Club has named Megan Acker, a Syracuse University student from Fulton, as the recipient of its 2026 DeVesty-Williams Scholarship, recognizing her commitment to local journalism and her dedication to serving communities through fact-based reporting.
The DeVesty-Williams Scholarship awards $2,000 annually to a promising journalism student who demonstrates strong potential, a passion for storytelling and a clear commitment to the profession.
Acker has spent the past three years studying broadcast journalism and political science at Syracuse University. On campus, she is a familiar presence on CitrusTV’s political news program “Talking Points” and is an active member of the professional communications fraternity Zeta Phi Eta. Her academic and extracurricular work reflect a focus on public affairs reporting and community-centered journalism.
Through internships in Southeast Ohio and Washington, D.C., Acker has gained experience producing journalism at the hyperlocal level — an approach that shapes both her reporting and her long-term career goals. She plans to begin her career as a multimedia journalist in Buffalo, with aspirations to eventually cover state government in Albany.
In her scholarship essay, Acker reflects on growing up in Central New York and the profound role local journalism plays in shaping informed communities.
Acker writes that she has witnessed what she calls a “disinformation epidemic” affecting communities like her own, and she sees local journalism as a vital response.
“The cure for disinformation is in every high-school sports score … every weather update … every town hall summary,” she writes, emphasizing the essential role of local news organizations in providing accurate, trustworthy information.
Her essay underscores a deep appreciation for the journalists and outlets serving central New York, as well as a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to that work.
In addition to her immediate career plans, Acker aspires to one day launch an organization focused on digital media literacy education for underserved schools — a goal rooted in her belief that education is key to combating misinformation.
The Syracuse Press Club will recognize Acker at its annual Professional Recognition Awards ceremony on May 2.