Concordia Seminary, St. Louis recently received a total of 10 awards from the Associated Church Press and the Evangelical Press Association during the organizations’ respective conventions and award ceremonies.

The ACP, the nation’s oldest interdenominational religious press association, presented its awards April 28 in Chicago. The awards were given in recognition of exceptional content produced by Concordia Seminary magazine and Concordia Journal, and by the Communications/Creative Services department in 2016.

“We continue to be deeply honored by these recognitions,” said Rev. Travis Scholl, managing editor of Seminary Publications. “In a world of noise, the Gospel-centered commentary and conversation that are part and parcel of Concordia Seminary’s mission to church and world is more vital than ever.”

In the ACP’s “Best in Class” category, the Seminary received:

• A first-place Award of Excellence for Concordia Seminary magazine in the category “Magazine, Institution of Higher Education.” Named in the award are Provost Dr. Jeff Kloha, executive editor; Vicki Biggs, managing editor; Melanie Ave, editor; Jayna Rollings, art director; and Michelle Meier, designer. The judges said of the magazine, “Clean, clear design and a strong voice for the Seminary. The magazine does a masterful job of illustrating Concordia’s significance at home and in the wider world.”
• An Honorable Mention award for Concordia Journal in the category “Best in Class/Print: Journal.” Named in the award are Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer, publisher; Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Charles Arand, executive editor; Rev. Travis Scholl, editor; Melanie Appelbaum, assistant editor; and Jayna Rollings and Michelle Poneleit, graphic designers.

Additional ACP awards received by Concordia Seminary magazine include:

• A first place Award of Excellence in the category “Online/New Media: Integrated Communications” for the 2016-17 Academic Year Theme: “By Grace Alone, Grace in His Son.” Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, senior vice president; Melanie Ave, communications manager; Jayna Rollings, creative services manager/designer; Lewis Mendez, web developer; Michelle Meier, graphic designer; and Dale Ward, senior media producer. The judges’ said, “Superior in every way. Outstanding. Love it! Comprehensive PR campaign. Attractive design elements and consistency in branding. Extensive use of new media. Informative and well-edited materials and writing. Beautiful photography and manipulation of photos. Outstanding design elements. Flawless.”
• A second place Award of Merit in the category “Online/New Media: Integrated Communications” for Call Day 2016. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, senior vice president; Melanie Ave, communications manager; Jayna Rollings, creative services manager; Michelle Meier, designer; Lewis Mendez, web developer; Ken Kogler, senior applications manager; Nikolai Gibbons, motion graphics editor; and Kendra Whittle, video editor.
• An Honorable Mention award in the category “Online/New Media: Integrated Communications” for the Master of Divinity curriculum revision. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, senior vice president; Melanie Ave, communications manager; Jayna Rollings, creative services manager; Lewis Mendez, web developer; Michelle Meier, graphic designer; Dale Ward, senior media producer; and Kendra Whittle, communications specialist.
• A first place Award of Excellence in the category “Art/Design/Graphics: Magazine/Journal Design (Spread or Story)” for “500 Years: The Impact of the Reformation Today” in the fall 2016 edition of the magazine. Named in the award are Jayna Rollings, art director, and Michelle Meier, designer. The judges said, “Sophisticated and scholarly air to these graphics, befitting the topic of Luther. Images are well selected and well used. Colors are muted, which fits the images of time-worn books and manuscripts.”
• A second place Award of Merit in the category “Reporting and Writing: Feature Article: Magazine, Short Format” for the article “His Grace: Two Journeys to Gratitude,” featured in the fall 2016 edition of the magazine. Named in the award are Kim Plummer Krull, writer; Vicki Biggs, managing editor; and Melanie Ave, editor.

Concordia Journal also received from the ACP:

• A first place Award of Excellence in the category “Online/New Media: Publication Website” for the new Concordia Theology website, which underwent a major redesign in winter 2017. Named in the award are Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Charles Arand, executive editor; Rev. Travis Scholl and Associate Professor of Historical Theology Dr. Erik Herrmann, editors; Melanie Appelbaum, assistant editor; Ken Kogler, technology; Dale Ward, video production; Jayna Rollings, creative director/designer; and Lewis Mendez, web developer. The judges said, “Creative use of ‘books/photos/covers’ as buttons. The use of such visuals is visually appealing and easy on the eye and allows for quicker cognitive response of the viewer. Unlike websites/blogs where the eye is bombarded with an excessive amount of random and unorganized visuals, this site uses distinct patterns to ease the burden on eye and brain.”
• A second-place Award of Merit in the “Theological or Scholarly Article: All Media” category for the article “Three Myths about the Crusades: What They Mean for Christian Witness,” which appeared in the winter 2016 issue. Named in the award was the article’s author Dr. Paul Robinson, the Seminary’s professor of historical theology and the dean of the faculty.

In addition, Concordia Seminary magazine won one award from the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), a professional organization of Christian publications: magazines, newspapers, newsletters and content-rich websites at the EPA’s annual banquet April 11 in Chicago. The Seminary received the first place award for the “General Article: Medium” for the article “His Grace: Two Journeys to Gratitude,” featured in the fall 2016 edition of the magazine, written by Kim Plummer Krull.

The judges said the article, about a seminarian and alumnus, “has all the honesty and redemptive power that it should have. These were not good men made better. These were broken men saved by Christ. Then they were called to Christian service.”

“With all glory to God, it’s an honor to be recognized by these esteemed organizations for our work,” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president of Seminary Advancement. “Our team, which includes some of the finest communications and design professionals around, is dedicated to their vocation and committed to using their skills to help communicate the mission and ministry of Concordia Seminary.”

To read the full list of ACP awards, visit here. To read the full list of EPA awards, visit here.

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.