Academics
Ask any students at this Catholic-affiliated liberal arts university, and they鈥檒l tell you that 鈥渙ne of Ambrose鈥檚 best features is the caring faculty and staff.鈥 鈥淭he professors are extremely accessible,鈥 a freshman explains. 鈥淢ost of mine have even given the class their home and cell phone numbers in case we cannot reach them in the office. They are willing to help you in any way academically and otherwise.鈥 Students say that faculty accessibility is enhanced by 鈥渢he small class sizes,鈥 which guarantee that undergrads enjoy plenty of 鈥渙ne-on-one contact with their teachers.鈥 Some undergrads admit that while they are 鈥渟ometimes challenged by classes,鈥 they have 鈥渘ever been overwhelmed.鈥 Students also report that 鈥渢he administration has a fairly good handle鈥 on things and 鈥渢ries to be accessible.鈥 Ultimately, students leave happy; one satisfied elementary education major says, 鈥淐oming to Ambrose was one of the best choices I have ever made.鈥
Student Body
SAU is a mix of 鈥渢raditional鈥 and 鈥渘ontraditional鈥 students as well as 鈥渒ids from Chicago鈥 and 鈥渞ural kids.鈥 That鈥檚 part of the Ambrose charm; 鈥淓veryone gets along really well, regardless of background.鈥 Students do concede, however, that 鈥渄iversity and cultural experience is lacking.鈥 But a junior opines that this 鈥渋s not necessarily due to a lack of tolerance, but rather a lack of opportunity and exposure.鈥 As you would expect, the school maintains 鈥渁 strong [Catholic] presence鈥---though an undergrad is quick to point out that 鈥渕any other religions are represented as well.鈥 Overall, the student body includes 鈥減unks, jocks, preps, partiers,鈥 and many others that defy categorization. But in true Midwestern style, they鈥檙e all connected by a 鈥渄own-to-earth鈥 attitude and a willingness 鈥渢o help someone out at any time.鈥
Campus Life
Here鈥檚 an easy breakdown of life at SAU: 鈥淧eople are generally either academic-focused or party-scene-focused.鈥 According to many students, St. Ambrose draws 鈥渟tudents that like to live it up.鈥 鈥淭here are always parties to go to---in the dorms or in the student houses surrounding the school.鈥 But, says a freshman, 鈥淵ou can go and you don鈥檛 have to drink. People . . . respect your decision.鈥 As for good, clean fun, 鈥淭here is actually a board that comes up with activities to do that are usually free. For example, there is something to do every Wednesday night and most weekends they bring in guest singers, comedians, etc.鈥 SAU鈥檚 home turf is Davenport, Iowa, which gets a bad rap because it 鈥渄oes not cater to college students鈥 by offering 鈥渃heap, alternative activities.鈥 Scour the full terrain of the Quad Cities, though, and you鈥檒l find 鈥渁rt galleries, museums, clubs, movies, and much more.鈥
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