Concordia University-St Paul Communication Studies

Good Luck Ben (CSP Sport Com graduate)!

Congratulations class of 2024!

(L to R)
Sadie Voss, Molly Griffith, Melody Xiong, Lauren Rose, Eve Elliott, AuBrianna Berger, Evan Galchutt

(Not Pictured)
Drew Zemke, Simon Bromberg, Payton Peterson

We're thrilled to announce that six (two not pictured) outstanding students have been inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association's official honor society.

The ceremony was a celebration of academic excellence and commitment to communication studies. Each inductee embodies the values of scholarship, leadership, and service.

Their dedication to the field of communication is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see the impact they'll make as members of Lambda Pi Eta.

Congratulations to the newest members! Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and passion for communication. Here's to a bright future filled with endless possibilities!

Here are your 2023-2024 Communication Club leaders. It's Com Club time! Whether you're a Communication major or not, anyone can join!

World Communication Week was a great success last week. Thank you to everyone who visited our table. In the coming days, we will announce the winner of the JBL speaker.

Communication Studies BA 2015

When I was in college one of the jobs I pictured as a “you’ll have made it when” job was the Weekend Sports Anchor at WCCO. Today, that’s officially my job!

I’m pumped to continue covering the teams, athletes, and communities I grew up with.

I will be anchoring sports regularly on Saturdays and Sundays and reporting on sports during the week.

As always, thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way!

Congratulations Ren, Dept of Com Studies Alumni 😊

Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 recap!

Her mother, Heidi Souba Lewerenz was a 1998 Communication graduate. Our thoughts and prayer go out to her and her family in this time of sorrow and grief.

Obituaries in Wausau, WI | Wausau Daily Herald Emily Louise Lewerenz, age 18, of Weston, beloved daughter of Eric and Heidi Lewerenz, died in a tragic car accident on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Set...

The first episode of Concordia COMcast is now available for listening! For this month’s episode, I spoke with Davaris Cheeks about his role as a student leader on campus.

Link to episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/0urd9DvnvcWZSgrI59tbc3

Congratulations class of 2023!!!!

Best relationship is where yesterday’s fight does not stop today’s communication.

It's all about Interpersonal Communication/Relationships.

The happiest and healthiest people are those who have warm connections with others, says psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, who leads the Harvard Study of Adult Development -- one of the longest-running studies of adult life ever conducted. Exploring the crucial link between social bonds and quality of life, he shares wisdom and insights into how to identify and strengthen the relationships that impact your well-being most. When it comes to the people in your inner circle, "Turn toward the voices that make you feel more open and more inclusive," he says.

This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event.

The Secret to a Happy Life — Lessons From 8 Decades of Research | Robert Waldinger | TED The happiest and healthiest people are those who have warm connections with others, says psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, who leads the Harvard Study of Adult ...

Harvey Mackay: Hard situations can be made harder if you don't handle with tact

If you don't take the time to think about your words then you can burn bridges.
By Special to the Star Tribune OCTOBER 30, 2022 — 2:00PM

SETH PERLMAN, AP/FILE
Abraham Lincoln’s iconic stovepipe hat is photographed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. When he was president, two hatmakers presented Lincoln with their products and he was to choose the better one. He used the utmost tact with his answer: “Gentlemen, they mutually excel each other.”

An office supervisor called an assistant in to give her the bad news that she was being fired. His opening statement: "Miss Jones, I really don't know how we're going to get along without you, but starting Monday, we're going to try."

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy. The best advice is to say the right thing or say nothing. Choose your words carefully. As Harry Truman put it: "Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes."

Tact is especially important in delivering bad news. Handled correctly, tact can build credibility and strengthen your reputation, while preserving existing relationships. A tactful approach demonstrates professionalism and good manners. Without tact, we lose friends and other relationships, respect, work and money.

Often, we are so focused on achieving results that we forget how we come across to other people. Seek out a group of people you trust who can give you valuable feedback on your communication skills.

It's important to note that tact is more than language. Tact includes body language such as pacing or facial expressions — frowns, sighs or a rolling of eyes.

Sometimes tact involves sugarcoating messages so they are easier to hear. Even then, you must be careful not to overdo the syrup, or the message may get lost.

But what it does not include is dishonesty.

According to an old story, two rival hatters visited President Abraham Lincoln, each of whom presented him with a product. After the presentation, both hatters stood back expectantly awaiting Lincoln's comments.

Lincoln looked over the two hats very carefully and then remarked solemnly, "Gentlemen, they mutually excel each other." Now that is tactful!

One of the worst things you can do is to let your emotions get the best of you. Calm yourself down in stressful situations by taking a break, going for a walk or whatever technique will help you maintain your composure. As the saying goes, you can't "unring the bell." Stop and think before you speak.

Weigh Your Words Carefully.

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. James 3:2

God spoke through the prophet Joel saying,
When it comes to your tongue, here are three rules: 1) Don’t speak too quickly. ‘We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we…could…control ourselves in every other way’ (v. 2). Because you can never be totally aware of all the sensitivities of a person, you must rely on the Holy Spirit to direct your speech in a way that doesn’t tap into their pain or other negative experiences. Everybody has a different sensitivity level, depending on their past experiences. That includes you too. So practice not being easily offended, and giving others the benefit of the doubt when they say something that could be misconstrued as offensive. 2) Don’t respond too quickly. ‘To answer before listening – that is folly and shame’ (Proverbs 18:13). Before you speak, listen carefully and make sure you understand what is really being said. And if you don’t – say so. Your need to ‘look good’ can cause you to lose respect in the eyes of the person you’re seeking to impress. 3) Don’t commit too quickly. Solomon writes, ‘Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God’ (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Then he goes on to explain how we shouldn’t try to drop out of a commitment by saying we made a mistake. Your word is your bond, and when you break a promise, you hurt people and forfeit their trust. So pause before you speak, and if need be, take time to pray. Your time and your words are two things that can never be taken back, so carefully weigh what you say.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to follow Your Word’s directive on my words! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Weigh Your Words Carefully – October 2, 2022 Weigh Your Words Carefully We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. James 3:2 God spoke through the proph…

From today's LCC Daily Devotion-- All about Communication & Perception..One of the great findings of modern medical science is that the words we speak don’t just affect others, they affect us too. Indeed, sometimes they affect us even more! Words are powerful. You believe and internalize what you repeatedly say. That means you have the God-given ability to change your perception of your own abilities from limited to limitless. Let’s be clear about what that does and doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean you can play the guitar like Eric Clapton or paint like Van Gogh just because you decide to and want to. But it does mean you can do whatever God has told you to do in His Word...

Speak Positively – Part 4 – June 11, 2022 Speak Positively – Part 4 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; Romans 8:6 Pessimism affects you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and ph…

Communicating With Your Family.

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3

The storms of life will test whether or not you’ve done a good job with your family. And an important key to succeeding at home is communication. So, ask yourself these four questions: 1) How well do I communicate with the people I love? You may unwittingly have adopted a style that doesn’t work well for you. For example, do you retaliate? That has a degrading effect. Do you dominate? That has an intimidating effect. Do you isolate? That has a frustrating effect. Or do you co-operate? That has an encouraging effect. If you’re in the habit of using any communication style other than a co-operative one, you must work to change it if you want to build a good relationship with your family. 2) Have I identified my communication killers? The Internet, mobile phones, texting and TV are among the chief culprits. Would it surprise you to know the average couple spends less than an hour a week in meaningful conversation, and approximately five hours a day watching television? 3) Do I encourage everyone to speak their mind? And when they do speak freely do you criticize, pout, or retaliate? Differences of opinion can be healthy. The Bible says, ‘Iron sharpens iron’ (Proverbs 27:17). Handled respectfully, different opinions can make things better for everyone. 4) Do I think creatively? Do you spend time together as a family? Do you call your spouse during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch? Do you drive your kids to school or extracurricular activities so you can talk to them? Communication can happen anywhere, but it only happens when you make it a priority.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to communicate better and more effectively with those around me. Forgive me when I have not. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Communicating With Your Family – May 7, 2022 Communicating With Your Family By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3 The storms of life will test whether or not you’ve done a good job with y…

Congratulations to Sterling Alexander (BA, Sport Communication 2021) on being part of West Michigan Ironman professional arena football team! He has had an amazing season so far with 6 touchdowns in just three games!

Some good thoughts for Communication.

Try to be Tactful.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

If you habitually put your foot in your mouth, there’s a scriptural remedy. ‘Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone’ (v. 6). Notice this: to speak effectively requires you to be ‘gracious’ in your dealings with others. And while honesty is always the best policy, it’s not a license to say whatever you want. One of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity when you find yourself in a difficult situation. You would think exhibiting graciousness would come easily to those who claim to be filled with the Spirit of God, but the evidence shows otherwise. We tend to perpetuate the communication style of the family we grew up in. You say, ‘But sometimes you need to be brutally honest!’ Extending grace and being truthful are not mutually exclusive. You can learn to tell the truth tactfully. The Bible says, ‘For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ’ (John 1:17). Jesus never allowed courtesy and kindness to prevent Him from telling the truth, but He never did it in a mean-spirited way. Nor should you. Sometimes we claim to be ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15), when the truth is that anger, frustration, disappointment, and retaliation are what’s truly in our hearts. What’s the remedy? Before you speak, take a moment to review the words in your mind, and try to evaluate their impact. Then choose to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Doing that will help you develop the emotional discipline necessary for stifling tactless remarks.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the times I speak the truth but not tactfully. Help my conversation to be gracious. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Try to be Tactful – April 7, 2022 Try to be Tactful Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 If you habitually put your foot in your mouth, there…

A Communication thought for today....

Harmony at Home – Part 1.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It’s done brick by brick. And the mortar that holds it together is unconditional, uncondemning, unselfish love. The only way you’ll know how good a job you’ve done is when it’s tested by the storms of life. One of the most important keys to succeeding at home is – communication. So: 1) Become creative. Spend time together as a family. Call your mate during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch. Drive your kids to school or extracurricular activities so you can talk to them. Communication can happen anywhere, but it won’t happen unless you make it a priority. 2) Identify communication killers. Internet, mobile phones and TV are the chief culprits. The average couple spends less than one hour a week in meaningful communication; they spend five times more each day watching television. This is a ‘screen test’ you’ll have to pass if you want to succeed at home. 3) Encourage every member to speak their mind. And when they do, don’t criticize or retaliate. Differences of opinion are healthy. Handled right, they can make things better. 4) Be conscious of how you interact with your family. You may have unwittingly adopted a style that stifles communication. Stop and consider; do you: a) retaliate – that has a degrading effect b) dominate – that has an intimidating effect c) isolate – that has a frustrating effect d) cooperate – that has an encouraging effect. If you’re in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, start working immediately to change it. You’ll have to, if you want to build a good relationship with your family.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, not only do I need to work on harmony at home but also at work – and in whatever circumstance You place me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Harmony at Home – Part 1 – March 14, 2022 Harmony at Home – Part 1 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 Building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It’s …

We have amazing students in the Com Department! Davaris cheeks is a Public Relations major, student leader and athlete. Well done Davaris!

CSP student leader, Davaris Cheeks, testified to the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy in support of increasing funding for the Minnesota State Grant program. This program makes higher education possible for many students. Davaris shares his story beginning at 1:16:05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOFtmBLycAk

Visiting with Com Studies Alumni at the “Bears at the Brewhouse” event was so fun! Talking with former students who I now see as my peers, was so fulfilling. What a wonderful night!

Congratulations Ben Allen (BA Sport Communication)

Hello Com Studies Alumni! Basma and I would like to personally invite you to join us at a wonderful alumni event. Meet us at the Urban Growler on March 3rd from 5-7pm. Cost is only $10. We would love to see you there!

To register for the event, please use the following link:
https://www.one.csp.edu/s/286/20/interior.aspx?sid=286&gid=1&pgid=254&cid=8482&ecid=8482&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=6436

Davaris Cheeks (Public Relations major) was appointed to NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee -

Concordia defensive back Davaris Cheeks (Aurora, Ill.) has been named to the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a national position where he'll be the representative for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. More information about Davaris' leadership opportunity with SAAC at the national level will be available on cspbears.com later this week.

Congratulations Ben Allen! (Sport Communication Major, class of May 2020)

Benjamin Allen named NSIC Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year - Concordia University, St. Paul Athletics Concordia-St. Paul's, Benjamin Allen, was named the NSIC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in a release issued by the NSIC on Thursday, March 5th. The senior earned the award following his dominant performance at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships on February 28-29. Allen is the first Gold...

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/195717

1517 Media - Marketing (AF & SH) Summer 2020 Paid Intern Congregational Marketing for Augsburg Fortress & Sparkhouse Teams, Summer 2020 Paid InternMinneapolis, Full-time1517 Media 1517 Media is a multimedia company, comprised of four creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Beaming Books, Fortress Press, and Sparkhouse. We create resources for Chris...