My name is Anna Benthal: I’m from Long Island, New York.  Throughout my life my faith has always been very important to me, so when it came time to look for a college, going to a good Catholic university was the primary factor.  Ave Maria was not initially on my list of schools to look at because I thought that it was just a little school in the middle of nowhere.  But one day I decided to give it a chance and see what this little school was all about.  I found that I fell in love with the school and all the things which I had viewed as negatives had become the things that made me love the school all the more.  Ave is a place in which you can grow and become the person in which you are meant to be.  The support of the facility and the love of the people make it a wonderful place to be. I would encourage anyone to come to this school.  It’s truly changed my life!!!!

Hi, my name is Jordan Berghouse, and I am a sophomore at Ave Maria University.  I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved to Hartland, Wisconsin at the age of four which is where I currently live.  At about the same time of this move my family converted to Catholicism and in the 2nd grade I was enrolled in a small, Catholic school where I remained through high school.  While deciding where to go to college, I initially had no interest in Ave Maria.  My mother was very adamant that I simply apply and be open to the possibility.  After being accepted and visiting the university, I still was opposed to the idea of attending another small, Catholic school.  I did almost everything I could to prevent the inevitable.  However, despite my opposition, I enrolled at Ave Maria in the fall of 2008.  Ave Maria has proven itself to be a spiritual haven; a place of unlimited possibility where anyone can grow in holiness.  As a result of the diversity of students enrolled, an awareness of others is marked with an awareness of self.  I have full confidence that this is where I am meant to be. 

My name is Katelian Buljung and I’m a sophomore history major, politics minor, from Colorado.  I chose to come to Ave Maria University because of the outstanding academics and amazing spiritual life.  AMU has been one of the greatest blessings in my life.  I have grown here intellectually and spiritually in ways I never would have imagined.  Ave is a place where you can hear a lecture on cellular reproduction in the morning, have a heated debate about a passage from scripture over lunch, discuss the historical significance of the Franco-Prussian War in the afternoon, and then pack twelve of your friends around a table meant for six at dinner.  Ave Maria has changed my life and I’m grateful for my opportunity to be here. 

Hi, my name is Rose Deffenbaugh.  I was homeschooled from Kindergarten to high school and dual-enrolled at community college for three years during high school to get my Associate in Arts degree.  I danced ballet, and was on a FIRST robotics team in high school.  I was always really involved in youth group at my parish, but I was always looking for something more.  When I got to Ave, I found everything I dreamed of: friendly people, challenging classes on topics I love, and most importantly, a real chance to grow closer to God.  Here at Ave, I am a senior Theology major with a Philosophy minor, and am in the Women's Discernment Program.  I love to pull innocent pranks on my friends, throw people into the pool, head bang to Christian rock late at night while I write papers, make new friends, check my mailbox incessantly even when I know that no one has sent me any letters, ride my razor scooter, and chill in the chapel with God ('cause He is just awesome).  Life at Ave is great, and I wouldn't trade my time here for the world.  Ave is just a totally unique place that leaves you to be who you are, while still calling you on to be greater, to be the best you can be.  Here, everyone's different but still best friends...makes for lots of fun, really.

Hi, my name is Cyril Handal. I’m from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and I currently am a sophomore at Ave Maria University.  The reason I came to Ave Maria was the solid Catholic environment and the vibrant campus life.  When I visited Ave my senior year of high school, the students were so accommodating and friendly that I immediately knew that this was the school for me.  What makes Ave different from other schools is the strong influence that Catholicism has on this campus.  What separates Ave from other Catholic schools is how balanced it is.  Ave Maria is neither traditional nor charismatic but simply, Catholic.  Anyone who comes here will easily be able to fit in and that is why I love Ave so much.  It allows you the freedom to choose how you want to grow academically, spiritually and socially.  I am very involved with sports in the university.  Go Gyrenes!  I played soccer for the University the past two years and also participate in the various intramurals during the year.  I am also the leader of Alethes Arete, one of the households on campus.  As brothers, we try to live our lives in imitation of Christ.  Ave Maria has helped me grow so much, not only closer to God but also in my relationships with other people.  Ave Maria University is a great university and I hope that through my work as an ambassador, you will be able to see how great it truly is.  There is a place for everyone at Ave and I want everyone to see that they will be welcome here. 

My name is Marina Hernandez and I am a junior studying Biology in the Pre-medicine program.  My home town is in Connecticut and I had originally begun college at the University of Connecticut.  I then transferred to Ave Maria in search for more than just a college education.  Upon arriving at Ave Maria, I became involved with the pro-life group, Students for Life, and helped to sidewalk counsel and pray at the local abortion clinics.  Attending Ave Maria continues to be one of the greatest blessings in my life.  College is not just a preparation for earning a successful and elite career.  It is the time during which you grow and are formed into a better person, not just in the eyes of the world, but most importantly in the eyes of God.  Pope Benedict says, "The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness."  The Ave Maria experience is more than a preparation for a future career, or even for a deeper understanding of Catholic Doctrine.  It is an invitation to be transformed by Christ.

My name is Jerome and I am a junior at Ave Maria University.  I am majoring in Philosophy and to be honest, I have no idea what I am going to do after college.  To be even more honest, I prefer not knowing what is in store for me after school.  Before I decided to come to Ave Maria, I had my whole life planned out.  However, on the day of my high school graduation, with all of the invitations I sent out saying, “Jerome will be attending Angelo State University,” I took a leap of faith and decided to attend Ave Maria University.  Since then my life has been an adventure that I could have never planned.  The spiritual life on campus alone has made my Ave experience priceless.  The fact that Ave offers three Masses every day, perpetual adoration, a rosary walk, and a chapel in every dorm is unbeatable.  The amazing people I have met and the knowledge I have gained are simply added bonuses to the prayer life I found at Ave.  Ave Maria facilitates prayer, thus offering me and every student that attends this school, dedicated to Our Lady, an adventure that will never cease to stop.

My name is Tara Littleton, from Frankfort, Illinois. I am the second oldest of fourteen children, and the second of five so far who have come to Ave Maria University. I am a Senior this year, majoring in Literature and though it is very challenging I am enjoying my time here very much. I first heard of Ave Maria when my older sister was looking for schools. She decided on Ave, and I had the opportunity to visit her at the beautiful temporary campus in Naples several times. It seemed like the perfect place, and I couldn't pass it up either. I had always attended Catholic schools, and wanted to continue to do so. I applied, was accepted, and have been here for four years now; during that time I have really received solid formation in all subjects, and made lasting friendships with people who share my values and ambitions. I have not been disappointed in my choice of Ave Maria for one minute, as is a well-rounded place which truly prepares its students to not merely "get through life," but to have a strong effect on today's culture.

Hi! My name is Sarah Pakaluk, and I'm a freshman at Ave Maria.  My loves are: God, writing, reading, sitting in the sun, talking with my friends and being with my family.  Also chocolate, coffee, and peanut butter :).  I took a year off between high school and college and joined a Catholic volunteer program working as a missionary in Texas. This was my chance to give something to God, who has given me everything. Ave Maria is my favorite place for so many reasons!  Not only is it luxuriously located along the gulf coast of Southern Florida, (!!!) but it is a place full of so many good people.  I have made some of the best friends of my life in the first few months of school here.  In addition, the spiritual life on campus has helped me to really develop a true friendship with God.  Probably the best part about Ave is the balanced lifestyle that's promoted here: study, pray, work, have fun!  

I am a senior from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and am majoring in philosophy. I love Ave Maria because it provides a multifaceted college experience. Foremost, Ave Maria is a college that is oriented to the pursuit of truth, a rarity in universities these days! This quest for the real and true informs the atmosphere of Ave Maria, from its thriving academic life to its warm spiritual community to its multiple extracurricular and leadership opportunities. I love all of these things; Ave Maria has allowed me to flourish on all of these levels. A motivating factor in that growth is that I love the people at Ave Maria University. The world of Liberal Arts academia attracts such interesting, vibrant, and well-rounded people – students, faculty, and staff alike. It’s the personal connections that I’ve made at Ave Maria that have made the greatest impact on me. What is at the heart of these relationships is also at the heart of the University itself: that, even as a small institution, Ave Maria manages to offer something for everyone without compromising its vigorous, truly Catholic identity.

My name is Julie Schroeder but I am sometimes called Jules or J-lo. I am a freshman at Ave and have not declared a major yet. I am planning to have a career in the hospitality industry. There is a chance that I may even become an event planner, hence the nickname J-lo. As I am originally from New England, the Florida weather has taken quite a bit of adjusting to. It has been nice, however, to be at the pool in the sun while back home they are all in winter coats. Although it is far from home, being at Ave has been a worthwhile absence. The friends I have made here in a few short months hopefully I will know my whole life and I have learned a lot here. 

My name is Barbie Stanley.  I’m Puerto Rican and come from a fun-loving Catholic family. Originally from the Bronx where I went to a Catholic school, I moved to Florida to start my home school education from 4th grade on through my high school graduation.  Now I’m the eldest of 5 and the first to leave home.  Ave Maria does a great job of making you feel like you’re at home while also challenging you academically. The friends you make here are just wonderful and the environment is so holy, that it just wants to make you be holy.  God is ever-present here.  The people and the professors here are truly wonderful; they love God and want to see you succeed in everything you do.  Ave Maria is a place where you come with the faith of your parents and leave with your own.

My name is Mark Edward Travis and I am currently a sophomore at Ave Maria University studying Political Science. Along with being a member of the Student Ambassador Program, I am the President of Student Activities Board and a member of Alethes Arête household.  Ave Maria University is an amazing place for one to grow academically and spiritually.  The teachers, staff, and students are all very friendly and supportive and I have developed friendships here that will last forever.  God has blessed me in having Ave Maria University be apart of my life journey! God Bless and I look forward to meeting you!  

My name is Matthew Vicinanzo. I am a Sophomore at Ave Maria majoring in history with a Certificate of Business.  I am from Concord, New Hampshire and the third of eleven children.  In addition to serving as a student ambassador, I work in residence life as an RA for Joseph Hall.  I choose to work as an ambassador because I want to share my experience here at AMU with potential students.  I hope that through my work I may help others to know and support America's next great Catholic University.

My name is Jessica Wasko and I am a senior Economics Major from Fort Myers, Florida. I am the eldest of five children. Along with being your student ambassador, I am a Resident Assistant for Mother Teresa Hall, and a leader of the Vessels of Mercy Household. Ave Maria has been a great blessing in my life! I am proud to say that I will leave Ave Maria with a deeper knowledge of the truth and a strong idea of how to live a Catholic life in the secular world. Ave Maria has provided me the opportunity to do things I never thought I would do. My fondest memory is going on a mission trip to Ecuador in the Spring of 2009. I have also been blessed with strong friendships that I know will be long lasting. I cannot wait to show you all the unique experiences that Ave Maria has to offer!