Austin Robbins may only be a sophomore, but he has already gone above and beyond at St. Ambrose University.
From excelling in academics, to involvement in clubs and organizations, to participating in intramurals, Austin has already done it all. That doesn’t mean he’s ready to quit, though.
Austin, an exercise science major, began his academic career here living in the Academic Community, which he is still a part of. Now he is involved in Phi Eta Sigma and is the service chairperson for the group. He has also been a part of Habitat for Humanity and Dance Marathon.
In high school, Austin played the trumpet. He brought his musical talents to St. Ambrose as a member of music ministry, a part of the campus ministry organization.
Athletics are also a way of life for Austin. He has played football, basketball, and been a part of track teams. At St. Ambrose, Austin throws shot put, discus, hammer throw, and javelin.
His favorite activity here, though, was participating in the Antioch retreat. “Anyone that hasn’t gone yet, I encourage you to consider going. It is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.” He stresses how much Antioch changed his life for the positive and introduced him to people who he now considers his closest friends.
All of this involvement is helping Austin to really find out who he is. “I want to really establish myself as the person that I want others to view me as, and continue to keep an open mind because you never know what could make the biggest difference in your life.”
How was St. Ambrose lucky enough to recruit such an involved guy?
“Coming from a small school, I knew the teachers and they knew me. I wanted the teachers to know who I was and be able to talk with them directly if I needed anything, and Ambrose was able to give me that personal aspect that made me feel more at home.”
Home for Austin is from Preemption, Ill., a small town with a population of 200 just south of the Quad Cities. He has a younger sister, as well as a black lab who “will quite possibly lick you to death.”
Austin’s goals and dreams go far beyond Preemption and St. Ambrose. He is hoping to be accepted into SAU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and go on to work in pediatrics.
As for where he will end up someday, it is all up in the air. “If I have the chance to do some traveling, I would really like to see what the rest of the world has to offer.”
However, he does still have some time left at Ambrose, and he is lucky enough to have made many great friends to spend that time with. “I seriously think I have the best friends in the world. Not only because they are always there for me when I need them, but also because they put up with my weirdness, which occurs daily.”
Austin has truly found his home at Ambrose. Here, he is able to enjoy the most important things in his life: “my family, my friends, and my faith.”