Marketing and Communications

By creating a strong brand, we can continue to shape the way people think about Concordia University for the better.

The brand is built upon what is fundamentally true, unique and differentiating about our University. It is drawn from our history and our identity. The look, feel, and tone contained in our brand standards reflect who and what Concordia University, St. Paul is and aspires to become.

It is important that we are mindful in the way we present Concordia University. Using our brand standards will ensure that the look and feel of Concordia University stays consistent when it seen by the wider world.

In the coming weeks, we will be releasing a set of comprehensive brand standards. As we begin this process, we have a few things to get us started on a common brand platform.

Brand Positioning

The new structure of the Department of Marketing  and Communication allowed for the opportunity to partner with The Lawlor Group.  This new partnership has illuminated the need for University Branding. The reality is Concordia University, St. Paul is an outstanding place that is not as well-known as it should be in our community. With the work of several campus constituents, we have arrived on a new tagline and positioning statement:

A college degree from Concordia University, St. Paul is a great investment value.

Here private education is a value investment.

Tagline: Responsive. Relevant. Real.

Downloadable Files:

Official Concordia University Logo

Downloadable, approved logos for use in representing Concordia.

The Concordia University, Saint Paul logo is in the form of a window symbolizing Christian higher education as a window on life. Framed within the window, a cross emerges, which identifies Christ as the center of life. The asymmetrical window and cross reflect that life is not always logical or consistent, but Christ holds all things together. The four complementary colors represent harmony in diversity and harmony in Christ.

• Cross: The cross portrays our mission to educate students in the context of the Christian Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ forms the basis of life and education at Concordia.
• Quill: The quill is taken from our academic seal and represents our tradition and commitment to academic excellence and the love of learning.
• Individual: The individual represents our serving the individual student while encouraging their personal development and responsibility the education process. The outstretched arms imply reaching out to others, openness to community.
• Globe: The globe reminds us of our world community and Christ’s command to teach all nations. It also reflects our concern for enlightened care of God’s creation, which is part of our mission statement.

Standard University Logo

• CSP Logo Kit – 2019

If there is a need for any other logos, contact Tia Wagar at wagar@csp.edu.

 

University Letterhead

The letterhead template is designed to provide brand identity and consistency across all university communications.

Microsoft Word

Letterhead supporting University brand standards is integral to bolster Concordia University, St. Paul’s brand identity and consistency across all University communications.

You can download these templates to your computer for use in any university-related communications. The letterhead template is a Microsoft Word document that can be used on both PC and Mac platforms.

• Dark Header
• Light Header

Guidelines:

• Do not alter the watermarked design, margins, or fonts.
• The document is designed with two editable fields:
  1. Department name
  2. Body Text

Downloading templates:

To download a template, position your cursor over the link to the document. Take note of the file name.

If you’re on a PC, “right click” to bring up the menu. Then choose “download link to disk” or “save target as.” This will download the file to your computer. Look for it in your download file.

If you’re on a Mac, just click to download the file. Then look for the file in your download folder.

Note to Mac users: If you store the files with a “.dot” suffix in the “My Templates” folder in Microsoft Word, you will be able to access them easily via “My Templates” in your Microsoft Word “Project Gallery.” Saving them there allows you to open a new unnamed document based on the template, while still maintaining your original.

If you have any problems loading or using this Letterhead Template, please contact the Concordia University Technology Help Desk.

Google Docs

The CSP Google Docs template can be accessed by any csp.edu email address, without needed to install or download any templates. This general template can be used for university presentations, student assignments, or any other university activities.

1. Before beginning, ensure you are signed in with your csp.edu email address. The template will not appear if using a personal account.
2. Visit www.docs.google.com.
3. In the top panel named “Start a new document,” there will be lists of standard Google templates to pick from. On the top right side of this panel, there is a dropdown marked with arrows which defaults to the selection titled “template gallery.”
4. Click these arrows, and the template panel will expand, revealing more templates, with tabs in the blue bar across the top, which are marked “General” and “Concordia University, St. Paul.” Click the CSP tab.
5. Click on the CSP Document Template, and begin creating your document. Do not adjust the headers or footers.
6. To save your document, change the name, and it will be saved to your Google Drive. Use your Drive to find your document later to edit, present, or download.

University Email Signatures

In order to display a unified brand across all aspects of the university we have designed a standard university email signature. This method of branding is visible from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It reminds the writer of the email that they are representing the brand and it reminds the receiver of the email the key messages about Concordia University, St. Paul.

As our main form of communication in the information age, email is one of the easiest ways to communicate Concordia’s brand to others. This includes current and prospective students, alumni, donors, vendors, and many others in our community. Anyone that receives an email from someone with a csp.edu address expects a level of professionalism in its presentation, and an email signature helps to communicate Concordia’s excellence. Therefore, it is important that the email signature is not altered in a way that would dilute or compromise the brand of Concordia St. Paul. This includes the alteration or addition of colors, fonts, text sizes, or images. However, there are in some cases acceptable additions to the signature, depending on position or department. If you have any questions about your CSP email signature, please contact University Marketing & Communications.

Every csp.edu email signature must include the following:

• Full Name
• Concordia University, St. Paul
• Title
• Office Phone
• CSP Shield logo

Acceptable Additions

• Cell phone numbers
• Advancement related buttons, such as “give now”

Unacceptable Additions

• Links to any personal social media channels
• Links to any personal websites, including blogs
• Any images, up to and including headshots, non-CSP logos, or photos of cats.
• Personal quotes
• Links to any websites not affiliated with Concordia St. Paul
• Social media icons (they tend to break when viewed in different email platforms)
• Non-standard fonts

Instructions for applying the CSP email signature

Your Name

Concordia University, St. Paul

Your Job Title

P: 651.641.XXXX  |  C: 651.321.XXXX

 

An image of how the email signature should display is shown above. When applying the CSP email signature, the text should only be copied and pasted, never typed out. If you do not yet have the CSP email signature applied, ask a co-worker to email it to you, where you can then copy it and apply it in your preferred email client.

Instructions for adding an email signature in Microsoft Outlook

1. Click on the File tab. Click Options.
2. Click Mail.
3. In the Compose messages section at the very top, click the Signatures button.
4. Either select Delete, New or just highlight a signature and edit. When you are finished, click OK until you are out.

Instructions for adding an email signature in Google Apps Webmail

1. Click the gear icon in the upper right, then select Settings.
2. Enter your new signature text in the box at the bottom of the page next to the Signature option.
3. Click Save Changes.

 

University PowerPoint Template

Whenever faculty or staff speak on campus or off campus it is essential to proudly represent Concordia University, St. Paul. In order to faciliate a professional presentation design with university brand statements. A Power Point Template has been designed. Please download, install, and use this template whenever you are speaking.