Alumnus Kevin Olson, MA '09, served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Because of 9/11, he had to put finishing his master's degree on hold and was deployed to Iraq multiple times. He was able to creatively complete his degree, but because of another deployment, accepted his degree virtually. After retiring from the Guard, Olson began teaching in the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication Management program at CSP and opened his own PR firm, SnowGlobe Public Relations.

CSP's outgoing Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity Dr. Cheryl Chatman shares her story, what she loves about CSP, and what she hopes for the future as she steps into retirement.

In our final installment of our COVID-19 series, Dr. David Bell, member of Concordia's Board of Regents and physician at Mayo Clinic, shares his experience working at Mayo during the pandemic, some ways to keep yourself healthy, and what doctors and researchers are learning about this disease.

In the first segment, Associate Vice President for University Relations and Professor of Economics Dr. Bruce Corrie joins the podcast to talk about the economic effects of COVID-19 and the interventions that have been rolled out to address the effects. Check out his blog at https://covideconomics.org/ In the second segment, alumnus Bruce Nustad, BA '93, who serves as president of the Minnesota Retailers Association, shares what's happening specifically in the retail industry at this time and how consumers can support local retailers.

President Brian Friedrich and Provost/COO Dr. Eric LaMott join the podcast to share an update about CSP, including what's happening with classes during COVID, new programs and growth, next year's enrollment, the strategic plan, and more. Support CSP students in need with a gift to the Barnabas Fund

Pastor Andy Jones, BA '06 and DCE Sarah Dibbern, BA '15 joined the podcast to talk about how their ministry has shifted during stay at home and what they're doing to connect with their congregations and members. Andy's interview starts at 1:22 and Sarah's begins at 38:28. 

Dr. Colleen Arendt from CSP's department of communication studies shares her expertise about crisis communication, and evaluates the messages we're hearing from various entities about the pandemic and how to stay safe.

Dr. Lana Huberty, assistant professor of kinesiology and her daughter, Paxton Huberty, BA '17, talk about how they're taking care of their physical health while sheltering at home. Paxton provided additional epidemiological insights as a recent graduate of the master's in public health program at the University of Minnesota.  

With disruptions to children's schooling and normal routines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Sally Baas, professor of education, provides insight about how parents can help provide structure and a healthy learning environment at home while addressing their fears and questions. A list of resources provided by Dr. Baas: "Dave the Dog is Worried About Coronavirus," a children's book  https://www.readingrockets.org/article/when-school-closed-resources-keep-kids-learning-home Virtual Field Trips Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 Engagement and Motivation: Helping Handout for Home Tips for Caregivers and Parents on Schooling at Home: What Role Do Executive Skills Play? American Council for School Social Work resources Search Institute Checklist for Building Developmental Relationships Additional Links: Check out CSP's digital learning and engagement opportunities Supports students in need with a gift to the Barnabas Fund

Dr. Thomas Saylor, Professor of History at Concordia St. Paul, shares with us about the influenza pandemic of 1918 - commonly called the "Spanish Flu" - and how it spread and impacted the world. He shares insights about how authorities in that time attempted to deal with the outbreak and how 100 years later, some of the same questions are being asked. Learn more about the Barnabas Fund to support CSP students during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://empower.csp.edu/barnabas Access our online learning and engagement opportunities webpage, including our new Digital Learning Hub and Virtual Alumni Book Club.  Influenza Pandemic of 1918: Some sources Epidemic or Pandemic?  Also word origins. At https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/epidemic-vs-pandemic-difference “The Most Dangerous Epidemics in U.S. History: A look back” At https://www.healthline.com/health/worst-disease-outbreaks-history#2 “Think Social Distancing is Overkill? Here’s a Cautionary Tale from 1918”, by Kiona Smith.  How the cities of St Louis and Philadelphia took different paths to managing the influenza pandemic of 1918.  At https://www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2020/03/16/a-cautionary-tale-about-social-distancing-for-st-patricks-day-and-every-day/#edc7ce1d997b The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19: A Digital Archive. At www.influenzaarchive.org  50 US stories and their stories.  Includes Minneapolis. 'Skipstop' Work Plan to Begin in City Tomorrow, Minneapolis Journal, 16 October 1918, p. 1.  Available at http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.4130flu.0006.314 Iric Nathanson, “A look back at the 1918 flu pandemic and its impact on Minnesota”  In MinnPost, 4 March 2020.  At https://www.minnpost.com/health/2020/03/a-look-back-at-the-1918-flu-pandemic-and-its-impact-on-minnesota/ Oral history source: Pandemic Influenza of 1918: An Interview with Edna Register Boone.  At http://video1.adph.state.al.us/alphtn/pandemic/EdnaBoone/Local/transcript_ednaboone.pdf