Fourteen awards were presented to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis from the Associated Church Press (ACP) and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) during the organizations’ recent award ceremonies for exceptional work completed in 2020.

“We are beyond grateful for this recognition by our peers. It is truly a joy to serve the mission of Concordia Seminary – which is really the mission of Christ – and these awards for that work are the icing on the cake,” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president of Seminary Advancement and chief communications officer. “On behalf of our talented Seminary publications, communications and creative services team members, thank you again to the ACP and the EPA for this recognition.”

The ACP, the nation’s oldest interdenominational religious press association, presented its awards online April 6-9.

In the ACP’s “Overall Excellence/Best in Class” category, the Seminary received the following awards:

• A first place Award of Excellence in the category “Seminary Publication” for Concordia Seminary magazine. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, executive editor; Melanie Ave, managing editor; Jayna Rollings, art director; and Courtney Koll, designer.
• A second place Award of Merit in the category “Journal” for Concordia Journal. Named in the award are Dr. Charles Arand, executive editor; Dr. Travis Scholl, editor; Melanie Appelbaum, assistant editor; Jayna Rollings, creative director; and XiaoPei Chen, graphic designer.
• A first place Award of Excellence in the category “Public Relations or Marketing Campaign” for the Seminary’s Faith and Film Festival 2020. Named in the award Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Julia Staggenborg, creative; Chris Miller, web; Melanie Ave, communications; Gabe Doiron, video; and Sid Hastings, photographer.

In the ACP’s “Visual Communications” category, the Seminary received the following awards:

• A third place Honorable Mention in the category for “Online Media: Publication Website,” for ConcordiaTheology.org. Named in the award are Dr. Charles Arand, executive editor; Dr. Erik Herrmann, director; Dr. Travis Scholl, editor; Melanie Appelbaum, assistant editor; Chris Miller, web developer; Dale Ward, senior media producer; and Jayna Rollings, creative director.
• A second place Award of Merit in the category of “Video: Video Series (Vlog, video podcast),” for “Mission Works: Thanks to Donors.” Named in the award are Dale Ward, video; Dr. Dale A. Meyer and Kathy Luther, writers; Chris Miller, web; Vicki Biggs and Melanie Ave, editors; and Jayna Rollings, designer.
• A first place Award of Excellence in the category of “Integrated Communications,” for Call Day 2020. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Courtney Koll, creative; Chris Miller, web; Melanie Ave, Sarah Maney and Erica Tape, communications; and Dale Ward and John Clifton, video.
• A second place Award of Merit in the category of “Integrated Communications,” for “Jesus Christ … Forever” 2020-21 academic year branding. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings, creative; Chris Miller, web/video; Melanie Ave and Sarah Maney, communications; and Dale Ward, video.
• A third place Honorable Mention in the category of “Integrated Communications” for Faith and Film Festival 2020. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Julia Staggenborg, creative; Chris Miller, web; Melanie Ave, communications; Gabe Doiron, video; and Sid Hastings, photographer.

In the ACP’s “Marketing and Public Relations” category, the Seminary received the following two awards in the area of “Traditional News Release”:

• A first place Award of Excellence for “President Emeritus Meyer honored with festschrift.” Named in the award are Sarah Maney, writer; and Melanie Ave and Vicki Biggs, editors.
• A second place Award of Merit for “Outdoor summer carillon concerts slated for June.” Named in the award are Sarah Maney, writer; Melanie Ave and Vicki Biggs, editors.

In the ACP’s “Social Media” category, the Seminary received the following awards for “Event Promotion/Marketing Campaign/Brand Awareness”:

• A first place Award of Excellence for Prof Insights 2020. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Julia Staggenborg, creative; Chris Miller, web; and Melanie Ave, Sarah Maney and Erica Tape, communications.
• A second place Award of Merit for Faith and Film Festival 2020. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Julia Staggenborg, creative; Chris Miller, web; Melanie Ave, communications; Gabe Doiron, Dale Ward and Ryan Arnold, video; and Sid Hastings, photographer.
• A third place Honorable Mention for Lay Bible Institute 2020. Named in the award are Vicki Biggs, CCO; Jayna Rollings and Courtney Koll, creative; Chris Miller, web; Melanie Ave and Sarah Maney, communications.

In addition to the ACP awards, the Seminary was recognized by the EPA, a professional organization of Christian publications including magazines, newspapers, newsletters and content-rich websites. Its awards were presented live online April 30.

In the EPA’s “Award of Excellence” contest for publications, the Seminary received a second place Award of Merit in the category “Higher Ed (Digital)” for Concordia Seminary magazine. Named in the award are Chris Miller, Jayna Rollings, Melanie Ave, Sarah Maney, Erica Tape and Rebekah Lukas.

“Among the many things the pandemic has taught us is that resources for continuing education are as vital as ever,” said Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of Seminary publications. “These awards affirm that theology is lifelong learning.”

Read the full list of ACP awards and the full list of EPA awards.

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 csl.edu.