Photo courtesy of Carley McGovern. Pictured above, SAU students check out the different clubs at Club Fest. 

One way for new and returning students to relieve stress and enjoy the school year is to get involved. St. Ambrose boasts 75 official campus clubs and there is something for everybody. 

Students got a chance to explore all of these opportunities during Club Fest, on Tuesday, August 27th. Club Fest is held at the beginning of each semester so new students get a chance to network with others. Not only do students get to join clubs, it is also a great way for clubs to gain new members. 

If you weren’t able to make it to Club Fest, don’t worry! This recap will give you an idea of some of the clubs you may be interested in. 

If SAU students are interested in engineering, science, or robotics, they should check out MechaHive. MechaHive is a club where students work together to explore and build intricate robots. 

“MechaHive Robotics, it’s a super fun club where we get to build robots and have fun with our friends,” said SAU sophomore Zach Ulmer.

Photo courtesy of Carley McGovern. Pictured above, Ulmer shows off some robots from MechaHive. 

Students trying to get involved in behind-the-scenes event planning should look into the Campus Activities Board (CAB). CAB plans campus events like Grocery BINGO, Casino Night, and Food Truck Fest. 

SAU senior Chase Mason has been a part of CAB for two years. “I like CAB because it gives you an opportunity to plan events for students and kind of find a different way to give back in a fun way. It’s a relaxed environment and it allows people to be themselves.” 

To find another way to give back to others, SAU members can look at Dance Marathon. “We fundraise year-round,” members Addie Hendrick and Isabel Morrison explained. 

Dance Marathon is a club that raises money to fund children’s hospitals. They have events all year, but one of their biggest draws is an all-day dance party in the spring. 

They say that they are currently supporting 61 families with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), but they focus on a different area each year. 

Photo courtesy of Carley McGovern. Pictured above, Hendrick and Morrison hold up a Dance Marathon sign at Club Fest. 

When asked what phrase best describes Dance Marathon, Hendrick and Morrison said, “Kids can’t wait.” 

“We’re a student-led organization that supports 61 families… we fundraise year-round. This year we’re mainly doing the Nicu, ’cause we have like a certain area we specifically fundraise for each year.”

SAU students have made it a priority to make sure that all members of the community have a place for one another. That’s where the club PRISM comes in, standing for “Promoting Respect in Sexual Minorities”. 

SAU senior Haven Hospodar has been a part of PRISM since their first year at Ambrose. “As a club, we strive to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals (and allies) on campus. We also advocate and spread awareness on issues and laws that affect us directly.”

Having a good time in college is something that many students strive for, and Kari Ross is making sure they do it safely. She has created a program to ensure that students who choose to drink have a safe and sober ride. 

“I’m trying to give students a reason to go out and have fun without necessarily needing alcohol to do so,” Ross explained. 

“I’ve developed this new program as a student at St. Ambrose. It’s the designated driver wellness program. If you join my program you just have to go through a 45-minute session and you receive a certification.” 

Photo courtesy of Carley McGovern. Pictured above, Ross shows off her Designated Driver Program at Club Fest.

This certification comes with benefits as well. Those who complete the program can get free nonalcoholic beverages at participating bars and establishments. So far she has partnered with many locations around campus, including Mac’s Tavern and the Daiquiri Factory. Ross hopes to expand this program to as many bars as possible. 

This is only a handful of the available clubs and activities on campus. 

Text “CAB” to 71444 to get updates on CAB events and other activities.