Adams State University English, Communication & Media

07/25/2024

Go, Ian, go!!!

Olympic Debut for Adams State Track & Field Athlete

🔗: https://tinyurl.com/mrymst9x

07/02/2024

Former Adams State Communication student Ian Kerr will be in the Olympics this summer! Be sure to tune in to cheer him on!!

- Ian Kerr secures a qualification in the Men’s 200m at the Paris Olympic Games through World Rankings.

The former National Champion has a season’s best of 20.33s.

06/26/2024

Kayla was a Communication major before starting her MBA. We are incredibly saddened by her loss.

“On behalf of the entire Adams State community, I express my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends and the entire Grizzly community during this extremely difficult time."

06/19/2024

05/13/2024

Congratulations to our graduates! Natalie, Shawn, George, Giovanni, Peyton, and Destan!

01/04/2024

Big news, Communication students!!

The school is a Hispanic Serving Institution.

12/08/2023

Check esports out in their HQ at the Haynie Center for Mass Communication!

08/11/2023

ENGLISH TEACHERS IN ALAMOSA and others interested in graduate credit: we are offering four face-to-face English grad courses in the evenings this fall. Courses are also available on the undergraduate label.

07/03/2023

Adams State University Adams State University - Music Department

ALUMNI ROLL CALL

BULLDOG MICHAEL 'MIKEY' CHRISMAN FINDS FULFILLMENT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS
Long before he was Father Michael Chrisman, the soft-spoken, gentle-natured pastor of the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church and chaplain of St. Therese Catholic School, he was Centennial Bulldog Mikey: a well liked, talented kid who made the most of his high school experience through involvement, in choir, drama, language arts, Speech and Debate, athletics (football and track) and the Pueblo Summer Musical.

Whether on DeAnn Bryson’s choir risers or the offensive line of Coach Tom Brockman’s gridiron squad, Father Chrisman’s time at Centennial imparted a wealth of important life lessons that helped forge his character and reveal talents that have served him well throughout his life.

“High school was a lot of fun, and I had a blast,” he said. “It’s really a time to explore different options and avenues, and I made the most of it.”

An Honors student, Father Chrisman excelled in music and initially saw that field as his future.

Twice earning a spot on the competitive Colorado All State Choir, he also played the lead in the Pueblo Summer Musical production of “West Side Story.”

“Music was one of my favorite classes at Centennial,” said Father Chrisman. “DeAnn Bryson was very instrumental in helping to develop my singing voice and musical talent, as was Wayne Genova.”

Equally influential in Father Chrisman’s Bulldog life was Coach Brockman, who unceasingly stressed the value of discipline and staying true to one’s commitments.

Father Chrisman also cited the language arts classes at Centennial as playing a pivotal role in his academic development.

“Cliff Smith taught me a phenomenal way to really engage with Shakespeare and appreciate it,” he said. “And Dave Montera was just a great speech and debate coach.”

With Catholicism one of the most prominent branches in the family tree, there wasn’t ever a time when Father Chrisman was not active in the church, most notably serving Masses at St. Mary Help of Christians in Bessemer and, predictively, Shrine of St. Therese.

“While the arts were encouraged within the family while I was growing up, first and foremost were prayer and church,” said Father Chrisman, the middle of five children. “If you were involved in sports or activities, and it conflicted with Easter and other major Holy Days, we had to sacrifice and attend church.

“My parents were very influential in reminding us that if you put God first, everything will work out okay.”

In Catholic priests Tom Adrians, Dave Ricken, Ben Bacino and Liam Courtney, Father Chrisman found impactful spiritual mentors and role models who, more subtly than overtly, nurtured his vocational calling.

“It was more about exposing the ministry to me,” he explained. “There were many times when I was asked to help out in setting up for a festival, or pulling weeds, as examples: just those little things of getting involved in the parish community.”

It was such seeds of “servant leadership” that Father Chrisman credits with blossoming into the divine call he eventually heeded.

“Eventually” being the key word.

After graduating from Centennial in 2000 with a Gold Cord, Father Chrisman’s love of music took him (also predictively) to Alamosa and Adams State College (University), where he earned degrees in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Music Performance.

“I thought I was going to be a music teacher,” he explained.

While in Alamosa, Father Chrisman attended Sacred Heart Church, where – at the encouragement of his vocal coach – he began singing at Masses.

“That’s when I started singing at church. Before that, I was just an altar boy,” Father Chrisman explained.

Returning to Pueblo in 2005, and with few teaching positions open, Father Chrisman found himself getting more involved in the life of the church.

Slowly, the thought of becoming a music teacher was replaced by a prayer that quickly became a mantra:

“God, how can I best serve you, serve your people, and be happy doing it?”

As is often the case with prayer, the answer to that petition unfolded slowly over time.

“There were a bunch of little ‘sparks’ that led to a lighting bolt moment where it all came together,” Father Chrisman explained.

Rather unassumingly, that moment came during the traditional Catholic practice of Eucharistic Adoration, fittingly at the Shrine of St. Therese.

“Once again, I was asking God, ‘How can I best serve you, your people, and be happy doing it,’” Father Chrisman explained. “Then the bells rang, signifying the time for the priest to come up and put the Holy Eucharist away.

“But the priest didn’t show up, as he was away helping out at another parish.”

In the silence of the chapel, Father Chrisman was startled by a fellow worshipper, who tapped him on the shoulder, presenting this request: “Mike, the father isn’t here. Would you mind putting the Blessed Sacrament away in the tabernacle?”

And in that instant, a “St. Paul on the Road to Damascus” type of moment revealed itself.

“I didn’t know what I was doing, but I went up and took the Host out. And I remember looking down at the Host when a sensation of ‘This is it’ washed over me. And it was in that moment that the faith that had been handed on to me by my grandparents, my parents, and my aunts and uncles, become mine,” Father Chrisman explained.

“At that moment, I developed a personal sense of ownership in my relationship with Jesus.”

And with it, a commitment to the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo and enrollment in the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana.

In seminary, Father Chrisman was joined by his younger brother Joe, who similarly felt a calling to serve as a priest. And while Joe’s path took him away from the seminary into marriage and fatherhood, Father Chrisman earned a Master of Art in Catholic Thought and Life and a Master of Divinity over eight years of study and ordination as a transitional deacon.

And then in 2011, Centennial Bulldog Mikey became Father Michael Chrisman, ordained by Bishop Fernando Isern at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Downtown Pueblo.

“There was lots of happiness, a lot of excitement, and a healthy fear of what’s ahead,” Father Chrisman said of that life-changing day.

His first priestly assignment took him back to the San Luis Valley, where he served a number of churches. Concurrently, he served as both Director of Vocations and Director of Worship for the Diocese of Pueblo.

His first Mass, however, was celebrated in Pueblo, fittingly at the Shrine of St. Therese.

“I remember my first Mass like it was yesterday,” he said. “I was nervous, and I remember going through Mass with a deep sense of satisfaction and joy: again, that feeling of ‘This is it.’ The priesthood is for me.”

While serving in Alamosa, Father Chrisman’s servant leadership came to the specific attention of a fellow alumnus of Adams State College, who nominated the young priest for the institution’s Outstanding Alumnus Award, which he accepted at the 2015.

In 2017, Father Chrisman returned to Pueblo and an assignment at the Shrine of St. Therese, where he continues to serve. He remains the Diocese of Pueblo’s Director of Worship.

“It was exciting to come back,” Father Chrisman said. “It’s a neat blessing.”

The priesthood, Father Chrisman noted, is everything he expected it would be, and much more.

“The best part of my job? It’s celebrating the sacraments. I love celebrating Mass: that’s what gets me up in the morning,” Father Chrisman said.

Whether baptizing an infant, marrying a couple, or serving as a conduit for reconciliation with God, celebrating each sacrament comes with an immense sense of joy and gratification.

“There’s something there that’s just reaffirming,” he said. “When I go home at the end of a long day and I’m very tired, it’s okay, because I am so satisfied.”

When delivering homilies, Father Chrisman is putting into the action the skills and talents first honed during his Speech and Debate days at Centennial. His singing voice, as strong and sweet as ever, is heard during every Mass he celebrates, in union with his congregation, which includes a number of D60 scholars and families.

Additionally, the commitment to discipline imparted by Coach Brockman remains a centerpiece of the spiritual life.

And the wonder of exploration born during his days as a District 60 student has only grown through the years.

“I have a number of different interests,” Father Chrisman said. “I enjoy playing golf and lifting weights. I’ve done a half marathon and some Spartan obstacle races. I really enjoy reading, including comic books, and staying up on current events. I enjoy working on cars and making vestments, and I enjoy music, especially the Zak Brown Band, bluegrass and classical.

“I try to really embrace life and embrace the gifts and talents God has given me.”
Shrine of St Therese Pueblo Youth Diocese of Pueblo Vocations Diocese of Pueblo Catholic Pastoral Center

05/17/2023

Congratulations to our 2023 English and Communication graduates!

05/13/2023

Commencement Day! Congratulations to our graduating seniors: Ben, Keaton, Braeden, Justin, Orlando, Bri, Sunia, Leslie, and Angel! We’re so proud of you!!

05/05/2023

Have you seen the latest Paw Print? It's Adams State's student-run online news source - right here: https://asupawprint.wixsite.com/thepawprint

04/25/2023

Images from tonight’s Creative Writing Capstone reading.

04/24/2023

04/23/2023

Creative Writing Graduate Brianna Robles will read from her chapbook "Cowed by the Options" at 7p, Monday, April 24, at ASU's Xperimental Theatre. Author Kierstin Bridger joins in with poetry & fiction.

03/21/2023

Check out the new edition of the Paw Print, Adams State’s newspaper!

Come check out our website. We’ve published new material. Hope you enjoy!
https://asupawprint.wixsite.com/thepawprint or link in our bio….

09/16/2022

Check out Dr. B and Comm students in this “Great Day Colorado” segment about Adams State!

09/15/2022

We continue to accept applications for the Writing Studio Director position. Please see our job announcement here:

Current Position Openings Assistant Controller (PDF) Director of Academic Assessment & Assurance System Support (PDF) Technical Business Analyst (PDF) Director of Salazar Rio Grande Del Norte Center (PDF) Electronic Resources & Discovery Librarian (PDF) Assistant Track and Field Coach (PDF) Head Sof...

08/24/2022

We are indeed still accepting applications for the Writing Studio Director position. Be on the lookout for a job posting on the Adams State website in the next few days!

08/23/2022

Thank you for the huge response to the Writing Studio Director position. We are no longer accepting applications.

08/18/2022

WANTED: Director of the Adams State Writing Studio for the 22-23 school year to start ASAP. This is a part-time position in which you will oversee work-study writing tutors as well as help students with their writing. Pay is $15-20/hour, 19 hours a week. Must live in San Luis Valley and be able to commute to Adams State. Hours are M-F, but candidate can decide how they will be distributed throughout the week. BA required. Please email Dr. B at [email protected] if interested.

05/16/2022

It’s never too late to enroll in school and complete your education. Spring 2022 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Mary Benavidez is a perfect example of the care and attention adult learners receive while they earn degrees and move toward their dreams at Adams State U. Adams State congratulates Mary and all the adult learners, older than the 18 to 23-year age range which is considered ‘typical’ of a college student, who graduated last weekend, and those still at work on their degrees.

05/14/2022

More Spring 2022 commencement fun!

05/14/2022

Congratulations Orlando, Greg, Zach, Rose, Braxton, Jessica, & William! Best wishes from ECM! You make us proud!

05/14/2022

Congratulations Orlando, Greg, Zach, Rose, Braxton, Jessica, & William! We’re so proud! Best wishes from all of us in ECM!

05/13/2022

Congratulations, Greg! Undergraduate commencement is tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 14, 10 am, graduate commencement 1:30 pm, in Plachy Hall on campus. Also streaming at adams.edu/live.

05/01/2022

See your advisor this week if the answer is no!

Just a reminder for those who haven't had the chance to register!

04/21/2022

Monte Vista is about 17 miles from Adams State, so campus should not be directly involved, but many staff and students live there.
Update from Rio Grande Sheriff's Office 15:20:
Press Conference at 6pm. The location has been moved to Ski High on Sherman Ave.
At this time we have DFPC helicopter dropping water, currently. We are making good progress at this time. More updates at 6pm.
https://twitter.com/SLVEmergency/status/1516894175580631040
SLVEmergency Retweeted cowyredcross
The Red Cross is supporting an for the residents affected by the fire in . Evac center is located at Ski Hi Complex: 2235 Sherman Ave, Monte Visto, CO. 41144.https://twitter.com/COWYRedCross/status/1516879711028219904
There will be a Press Conference at 6pm at Monte Vista City Hall.
Mandatory Evacuations in Monte Vista due to fire;
North of Hwy 285 between Jefferson St. and N. Henderson Rd. evacuate now. Go to Ski Hi Complex. https://twitter.com/SLVEmergency/status/1516879314985406467