PBA Communication Student Wins Global Essay Competition
Sunshine Tarpey, a senior studying communication with a minor in graphic design, recently earned a top award for an essay competition hosted by Kristos Logos Paideia, a global undergraduate honor society for communication scholars.
Under the Christianity & Communication Studies Network, Kristos Logos Paideia recognizes and helps develop the work of Christian undergraduate communication students. Members gain access to local and national events, workshops, mentorship, and an annual conference—enabling students to engage with scholars and professionals from around the world. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 to join.
Kristos Logos Paideia focuses on areas where faith and research collide. This intersection was prominent in Tarpey’s winning essay, “The Value of Human Life and Connection in a Technology-Driven World.”
Her work examines how technology restricts how much human connection each person experiences—impacting their cognitive and creative abilities. She theorizes that technology works like any other addiction as an unhealthy coping mechanism, keeping people from forming real human connections. Some of the cultural impacts of this development are the increase of anxiety in the population in correlation with the rise of social media, and many people developing an unnatural fear of face-to-face interaction.
Tarpey also found that several top technology leaders know children are vulnerable to becoming overstimulated and overly reliant on technology and media. These disrupters now have firm limits for their own children.
“Authentic experiences are so important for us as human beings, yet technological distraction can cause us to give these things less value and create a different view of reality,” she says.
Tarpey adds that she feels sad when she sees how many people are completely engrossed in their phones—appearing as though they’re actively ignoring everyone in their presence. Tarpey says she sometimes finds herself falling into this pattern. So, she makes an effort to put it away when going out—and intentionally interacts with others who are not focused on their screens.
As technology and AI quickly advance, ethical and human-centered communication is critical to an increasingly complex, interconnected world. In the Communication, Journalism & Public Relations department under the College of the Arts, students develop their voice, sharpen critical thinking skills, and learn to create responsible, compelling messages that foster healthy civil discourse, public engagement, and strengthen communities.
Tarpey believes one of the main differences between in-person and technology-based interactions is the use of nonverbal communication. Most people are more aware of nonverbal messages than they realize. An example of this is how the majority of people can almost instantly recognize when they have entered a tense room.
“As someone in the communication field, I do recognize that online media is extremely valuable when it comes to spreading ideas and connecting with others from far and wide,” shares Tarpey. “We just need to be careful not to let it control us or replace quality connections with our loved ones and the beautiful world God created.”
To learn more about the communication program at PBA, click here.
