51 Reasons to Choose AMU 51 Reasons to Choose Ave Maria University Academic: Average Incoming GPA is 3.7 Our average incoming GPA is 3.7. Average Class Size is 17 With a class size average of 17, students have the opportunity to get to know their professors and work one-on-one with them. Tutoring and Student Support AMU offers student support as well as advising and tutoring services for several subjects, available multiple times throughout the week. Additionally, advisors and tutors are available by appointment to meet with students outside of regular hours. Summer Programs Ave Maria University offers a summer leadership program for top rated high school students. Those who attend are able to experience the life of an AMU student, exploring Southwest Florida and attending mock classes in Humanities, Theology, and STEM. There are 35 Majors and 31 Minors Ave Maria University offers a wide range of majors and minors across a variety of subjects. Students can graduate with multiple majors and/or minors. Liberal Arts Curriculum AMU has a liberal arts core curriculum that every student completes. The core classes cultivate in the students a love for wisdom and for the transcendentals of truth, goodness, and beauty. Honors Program Our Honors Program offers eligible students the opportunity to take advanced courses, an option to partake in special housing on the honors floor, a financial scholarship (to those that qualify), and more! Canizaro Library Canizaro Library is a state-of-the-art facility currently holding over 215,000 volumes. We offer over 100 online academic journals, computer workstations equipped with student Wi-Fi, ample study space, language learning materials, and much more. Special Book Collections The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Ave Maria University houses a wealth of historical Catholic artifacts. Along with our 8,000 volumes of Catholic Americana, our collections have historical documents, fine bindings, and artwork, all of which is available for academic use. 92% of Our Faculty Have a Ph.D. or Equivalent Terminal Degree 92% of our faculty have a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree. This means our students are getting taught by the best there is! Not only do our faculty have a deep knowledge of the subjects they teach, but they also genuinely care about their students. Alumni Excel After Graduation Our alumni go on many paths after graduation! Some pursue graduate or professional schools (Notre Dame, University of Michigan, etc.), and others join the workforce at prestigious companies, such as State Farm, ADP, JP Morgan, AEI, Vesco, CatholicVote, and so many more. Study Abroad Twice a year, Ave Maria University students are afforded the opportunity to spend a semester in Rome. During their time in the Eternal City, students take courses that directly relate to their curriculum. 98% of AMU Students are on Scholarship AMU offers scholarships donated by generous benefactors. About 90% (viewbook says 98% of AMU Students are on scholarship—you can afford a Catholic private education) of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Spiritual 90% Catholic Faculty 90% of the faculty members are devout Catholics, and non-Catholic faculty members are also supportive of the University’s mission. Oath of Fidelity All theology faculty take the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. All Theology Faculty Have the Ecclesiastical Mandatum from the Local Bishop All theology faculty have the ecclesiastical mandatum, meaning they are recognized by the local bishop to teach Catholic theology in accord with Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. AMU is Featured in the Newman Guide from the Cardinal Newman Society “Ave Maria’s Catholic, Marian identity impacts nearly every aspect of the campus life and academics.” – Cardinal Newman Society Ave Maria University is recommended by The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College Being able to earn a degree while also being authentically Catholic is something our community is very proud of. University Culture is Passionately Catholic At Ave Maria University, we envelop students, faculty, and staff in a truly Catholic atmosphere. Everything we do, from studies to service to free time, is meant to glorify God. University Spirit and Mission are Rooted in Ex Corde Ecclesiae Our Lady’s University was established with a mission to sponsor a liberal arts education as articulated in the apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae. Seven Daily Masses and Daily Confession There are seven daily Masses offered on our campus, and there is confession available at various times throughout the day. Mother Teresa Museum Ave Maria University is home to one of only two Mother Teresa museums in the world, hosting original relics and artifacts from Mother’s life, donated by the Missionaries of Charity. The museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. 24/7 On-Campus Adoration Ave Maria University is one of only three Newman Guide schools to offer 24/7 perpetual adoration on campus. Daily Rosary Walks Around Campus Every day at 9 p.m., large groups of students gather in front of St. Maria Goretti Hall to go on a Rosary walk around campus. Faith Households AMU is home to multiple faith households of either male or female students, where members are dedicated to mutually supporting one another in prayer, study, and recreation. Catholic Identity At Ave Maria University, we are proud of our Catholic identity. We are committed to learning, teaching, and serving according to the faith. Marian Mondays Every Monday night, students and faculty meet in the St. Sebastian Dorm lobby for a night of desserts, games, and learning about our Blessed Mother Mary. Retreats Ave Maria University offers spiritual retreats in the fall and spring semesters, allowing students to discover/nurture their relationship with Christ. Retreats are a wonderful way to disconnect from the world and focus on your faith, while having fun and growing in friendship with your fellow classmates. Athletics AMU is One of Only Five Newman Guide Schools to Offer Varsity Football Ave Maria University is one of only five Newman Guide schools to offer varsity football. New Facilities Three new athletic facilities will be open by summer 2023. These include a new field house, athletic locker rooms, and covered outdoor basketball courts, giving our students (both athletes and nonathletes) more opportunities to play sports with peers. Club and Intramural Sports In addition to our varsity sports, Ave Maria University offers several sports at the club and intramural levels. We offer intramural volleyball, intramural basketball, intramural flag football, and more! Regardless of the level you wish to compete in, there is a spot open for you on our roster! 23 NAIA Varsity Sports (viewbook says 23 NAIA varsity athletic programs) Go up against Division I teams, gain national recognition, and compete in the Sun Conference as an AMU athlete. University Athletics Promote a Catholic Spirit 85% of our most recent incoming class of athletes are Catholic. Athletics Scholarship Opportunities Our varsity programs provide unique opportunities for scholarships in a variety of sports including (but not limited to) men’s rugby, women’s beach volleyball, and men’s and women’s swimming. Widely Renowned Coaches Our staff features nationally recognized names with experience coaching NCAA Division I programs, international teams, and even Olympic recognition! Marching Band The AMU Marching Band allows students to flourish musically while engaging in a unique community with other students like themselves. The Marching Band is rooted in discipline and Gyrene spirit. They perform at the Home halftime football games, parades in Ave Maria and Naples, and pop-up events throughout the academic year. Athletics Service Requirement All AMU athletes complete 10 hours of community service per season. The coaches organize outings to soup kitchens, food pantries, etc., for students to attend with their teams. Home of the Gyrenes Jax the Gyrene is our mascot: The term “gyrene” dates back to World War I as a nickname given to G.I. Marines in the United States Marine Corps. Our founder, Tom Monaghan, served in the Marine Corps, and we display our immense gratitude for his and all our veterans’ sacrifices in serving our country and keeping us safe. Moreover, AMU is the only US school with the Gyrene as its mascot. Student Life Joyful Campus Culture The culture at Ave Maria University is unlike any other. When on our campus, you can see the sense of joy and love our students, faculty, and staff have for one another and the school. Additionally, AMU is situated right next to the town of Ave Maria, home to a growing community of Catholic families. The vibrant town center is across the street from campus. 90% of Undergraduate Students Live on Campus 90% of undergraduate students live in the dorms, creating a warm sense of community on campus. Over 250 Students Have a Job on Campus Over 250 students have a job on campus. This allows them to develop more soft and technical skills while studying full-time. Whether to make money or gain experience, AMU has several internships and student worker positions for you. Campus Located in Sunny Southwest Florida Located in beautiful Southwest Florida, where the sun is always shining, our campus is only 15 minutes from the edge of Naples and 45 minutes from the beach. 57% of Students are Active in Community Service 57% of our students are active in service outreach. These opportunities include mission trips (domestic and international), as well as several local opportunities to serve in soup kitchens, food pantries, local schools, and more. 30+ Clubs and Organizations Ave Maria University has over 30 nonathletic clubs and organizations; from surfing club to drama club to swing dance, every student has the opportunity to find and join an activity they love. There are clubs for academics, arts and culture, faith and service, and even outdoor recreation. National and International Representation Ave Maria University is proud to welcome students from 46 states and 16 foreign countries. Shakespeare in Performance Ave Maria University is home to Shakespeare in Performance, a successful professional-level theater program where students bring Shakespeare’s plays to life. Ave For Life is the Largest Student-Led Club on Campus Ave for Life is the largest of all student-led clubs and organizations on campus. Theology on Tap Ave Maria University holds several Theology on Tap talks throughout the semester, bringing speakers from all over the U.S. and beyond. Matt Fradd, Jason Evert, and the family members of modern-day saints are some examples of the recurring guest speakers hosted by the University. Campus Architecture Ave Maria University was designed in the Frank Lloyd Wright-style. Students can appreciate the state-of-the-art architecture in the breath-taking Ave Maria Parish Church, the Canizaro Library, and all other campus buildings. Women’s and Men’s Groups AMU hosts recurring women’s and men’s group meetings, open to all men and women, respectively. The purpose of these groups is to help male and female students grow in authentic masculinity and femininity as a community. Every gathering features a key speaker and free food (Chick-fil-A, Hibachi, Culvers, etc.). Lively Town Center Across the Street from Campus Across the street from campus is the vibrant Ave Maria Town Center. There are multiple restaurants and shops, as well as a farmer’s market on Saturdays—all of which revolve around the majestic Ave Maria Parish Church. Nature Ave Maria University is surrounded by canals, trees, and green plains, with multiple nature trails for students to stroll around. Additionally, AMU is adjacent to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, including the Everglades, Big Cypress Swamp, and the Florida Keys.
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