By the time this article is posted, I’ll only have a few, short days left at St. Ambrose. While the thought of that statement makes me want to vomit uncontrollably, I have so many things to be thankful for. And while I could write a never-ending list of all of the great things about SAU, here are the top 10 things I’ll miss the most after I cross that stage on graduation day.
1. The Beehive.
While some Ambrose alum never got the chance to experience the new addition, it genuinely helped me during my late-night homework panics. It’s less stressful than the library, but easier to focus in than the traditional dorm room. Plus, the coffee shop is super convenient.
2. The faculty.
I came to Ambrose as a very scared, undecided freshman. By the end of freshman year, I was still scared, but no longer undecided. When I picked public relations as my major, I would have never guessed that I would have so much support. Maybe I’m biased, but communications professors are the best professors…and yes, that’s a real life text message from my professor.
3. The squirrels.
I mean, seriously, they’re the cutest thing on this side of the Mississippi. I’m not sure if I’ll ever see this many squirrels in one place for the rest of my life.
4. The staff.
You don’t think I could forget about the great staff at Ambrose, right? Whether it’s Cliff, Jacob, and Pam in the cafe, the workers in Rogo, or the wonderful women in the Beehive Coffee Shop, I’m always greeted with a smile and a short conversation in the midst of a tough day.
4.5. The water in Rogo.
Okay, so this isn’t a huge deal, but it’s still a half point – I am 99 percent sure that the fountain water in the Rogalski Center is the best water that has ever touched my lips. Who cares if it costs $0.20 now? It’s worth it.
5. The close proximity.
I may have complained a few times about going to a small school, but honestly it turned out to be perfect. If my friends weren’t right down the hall, they were only a short walk between buildings. Food was always nearby, and walking to class during the colder months was never too bad.
6. The bee puns.
A bee isn’t the most threatening mascot, but that’s totally fine. Want to know why? Because it’s unbee-lieveably easy to make bee puns! Whether it’s The Buzz, the Stinger, Queen Bees, or Beehive, SAU has got it covered.
7. The bee-auty [see what I did there?]
St. Ambrose is seriously one of most beautiful campuses I have ever visited. Granted, I’ve only visited around a dozen, but still. Whether it’s after a fresh, white snow, or as the leaves change in the fall, campus always looks beautiful.
8. Galvin Fine Arts Center
Up until my senior year, I rarely visited Galvin. Sure, my favorite communications professors reside there, but I never had a reason to take the trip across campus. However, this year, I was selected as a KALA senior intern. Since then, Galvin has become my second home. It’s a great place to work and a great place to do homework. I’m a big fan.
9. The weekend festivities.
While SAU may not be the biggest party school in the world, I think it keeps its students pretty satisfied. Whether it’s Wednesday night’s dollar bottles at Rookie’s or 3-for-1’s on Thursday at Carriage, St. Ambrose gives its students an excuse to drink on almost any weeknight.
10. The people.
Maybe I’m one of the lucky ones, but I can honestly say that I’ve met some of my best friends here at SAU. And although it’s going to be tough not being down the hall from them after graduation day, I know that these friendships are forever.
Thank you for everything, St. Ambrose. You’ve been nothing but good to me.
Image Sources: Main picture, beehive, squirrels, staff, proximity, puns, galvin, weekend