Mar 16 2023 Recap: Dr. Edward Sri hosts a Theology on Tap talk titled “The Art of Living” On Wednesday, March 15th, Ave Maria University had the honor of hosting Dr. Edward Sri for a Theology on Tap talk titled “The Art of Living.” The event was held on campus and drew a large crowd of students and community members who were eager to hear what Dr. Sri had to say. Dr. Sri is a well-known theologian, speaker, and author who has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the Catholic Church. In his talk, he focused on the importance of virtue in our lives and how our practice of virtue affects everything we do. He also discussed the church’s teachings on virtue and love, and the relationship between the two. Dr. Sri began his talk by emphasizing the need to pass down knowledge from one generation to the next. He used the example of playing the piano, explaining that no one can simply walk into a piano room and “figure out” how to play. Instead, they need a teacher to guide them. He then went on to talk about the importance of virtue, and how the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) should guide everyone’s life. One of the most powerful messages of Dr. Sri’s talk was the idea that struggling with virtue is not a personal problem. Our lack of virtue affects the people around us, and we must work to cultivate it in order to be a positive influence on those around us. He emphasized that anyone can say the words “I love you,” but only those who possess virtue can actually love. He explained the Church’s definition of love, which is to will the good of the other, and the definition of virtue, which is the habitual and firm disposition to do the good. Dr. Sri also talked about the Catholic Church’s three ways to grow in virtue: education, deliberate acts, and perseverance in struggle. He explained that we must constantly educate ourselves on what it means to be virtuous, and then deliberately practice virtuous acts. He also emphasized the importance of perseverance, noting that growing in virtue is a lifelong process that requires patience and dedication. He shared a powerful analogy that has stuck with many attendees. He explained that in London, there are signs all over the subway that read “Mind the Gap.” This is because there is a gap between the train and the platform that commuters must be mindful of before stepping on or off the train. Dr. Sri used this as an analogy for the gaps in our lives where we struggle with virtue. He explained that there are gaps between friends, family, coworkers, and God, and it is in these gaps where we often struggle to cultivate virtue. For example, the gap between friends might be our tendency to gossip or speak ill of others. The gap between family members might be a lack of forgiveness or patience. The gap between coworkers might be a tendency to compete or put others down. And the gap between ourselves and God might be a lack of trust or faith. Dr. Sri’s analogy is a powerful reminder that we must be mindful of the gaps in our lives in order to grow in virtue. We must recognize where we struggle and actively work to close those gaps through deliberate acts of virtue. This might involve seeking forgiveness, practicing gratitude, or cultivating habits of prayer and reflection. By mindfully tending to the gaps in our lives, we can become better versions of ourselves and more fully embrace the art of living. Overall, Dr. Sri’s talk was a powerful reminder of the importance of virtue in our lives. His insights into the Church’s teachings on love and virtue were truly inspiring and left a lasting impact on all who attended. Ave Maria University was honored to have Dr. Sri as a guest speaker, and we look forward to welcoming more distinguished guests to our campus in the future.
Mar 13 2023 Hungary’s President Speaks at Ave Maria University On Thursday, March 9, the president of Hungary, Katalin Novák, visited Ave Maria University to deliver a lecture on faith and family values within the political world. Her talk was followed by a Q&A section with AMU students. President Novák addressed the calling of the Christian in politics, and she talked about her own experience being religious and family-centered while working in government. Novák also talked about her decision to leave the professional world to be a stay-at-home mom for six years. “It is feasible — even having three kids and having spent six years at home as a stay-at-home mom, and not caring for anything else but the children — you can [still] be at the top of a country.” — Hungarian President Katalin Novák Katalin Novák serves as the youngest — and also the first woman — president of Hungary. She shared that the most important thing about her background is the family where she comes from and the family she created with her husband. Throughout her lecture, Madam President talked of how Hungary has a Christian essence, as it was founded on Christian principles by St. Stephen of Hungary. She confidently claimed that Hungary’s past, present and future are Christian. Novák also discussed the pro-family and pro-life legislation in the Hungarian constitution, and she mentioned how — over the past decade — fertility has increased, and abortions have decreased significantly in Hungary. As she addressed the students, President Novák recounted three moments during her time as president of Hungary when she felt God working in her life. One of the stories she shared was about her decision to support persecuted Christians around the world — despite the potential dangers that came with that decision. Novák went on to explain how her Christian faith is decisive for her on a daily basis; she continued to boast about Hungary’s pro-family policies — such as the fact that having children lowers the personal income tax, and that whoever has more than three children does not have to pay back their student loans. “It’s not worth missing out on having children, and it’s not worth missing out on having a family. You have a given period of time when you can do it, and it will fade away. … You can always catch up on your professional career. … but never on the family. For me, I just cannot imagine my life without having our children. [My family] is what I am most proud of and most thankful for.” — Hungarian President Katalin Novák AMU thanks President Katalin Novák of Hungary for coming down to Ave Maria to share her testimony of faith with the University students, faculty and staff. If you would like to support the formation of the authentic Christian leaders of the future, consider joining AMU’s Annunciation Circle: a community of members who support Ave Maria University through their prayers and monthly donations of $10 or more. You can learn more about Annunciation Circle here.
Feb 27 2023 Mother Teresa Hall Mother Teresa Hall is one of three women’s residence halls. It houses up to 274 residents in rooms that accommodate up to four women each. The entire hall is air-conditioned, with individual room temperature controlled remotely. Throughout Mother Teresa Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common rooms, as well as computer labs equipped with a printer and scanner. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The newly-renovated main lobby, shared with Saint John Paul II Hall, features a coffee-shop environment, complete with comfortable lounge and study seating. At the heart of the hall is the chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament, located on the fourth floor of the breezeway. The chapel is open 24/7 for residents to spend time with our Lord throughout the day. Residence Director – Sarah Meehan Office Phone: (239) 280-1513 Email: sara.meehan@avemaria.edu
Feb 27 2023 Saint John Paul II Hall Saint John Paul II Hall is one of three women’s residence halls. It houses up to 274 residents in rooms that accommodate up to four women each. The entire hall is air-conditioned, with individual room temperature controlled remotely. Throughout JPII Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common rooms and kitchenettes on each floor complete with a refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The newly-renovated main lobby, shared with Mother Teresa Hall, features a coffee-shop environment, complete with comfortable lounge and study seating. At the heart of the hall is the chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament, located on the fourth floor of the breezeway. The chapel is open 24/7 for residents to spend time with our Lord throughout the day. Residence Director – Rebekah Koehler Office Phone: (239) 280-1579 Email: rebekah.koehler@avemaria.edu
Feb 27 2023 Saint Joseph Hall Saint Joseph Hall is one of three men’s residence halls. These rooms are double rooms, joined together to form a full quad by a shared bathroom. The entire hall is air conditioned, with individual room temperatures controlled remotely. Throughout Joseph Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common rooms, a kitchenette complete with a refrigerator, toaster, and microwave, as well as two computer labs equipped with a printer and scanner. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The main lobby features vending machines, ample seating, and a TV with Nintendo Switch. Further, one of the common rooms features an upright piano, available for students to practice their musical talents. On the third floor is the St. Joseph chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is open 24/7 for residents to spend time with our Lord throughout the day. Residence Director – Jarvis McGarrah Office Phone: (239) 280-7326 Email: jarvis.mcgarrah@avemaria.edu
Feb 27 2023 Saint Maria Goretti Saint Maria Goretti Hall is one of three men’s residence hall. These rooms are either doubles/triples or suite-style that house up to eight residents. The doubles/triples each have individual bathrooms, and the suites each have two bathrooms and a common space. The suite-style rooms have either four bedrooms with two residents each or two bedrooms with three residents each. The entire hall is air-conditioned, with individual room temperatures controlled remotely. two person six person eight person Throughout Goretti Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common spaces, a kitchenette complete with appliances, and a computer lab with a printer and scanner. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The main lobby features a TV, vending machines, a pool table, and a foosball table. At the heart of the hall is the St. Maria Goretti chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is open 24/7 for residents to spend time with our Lord throughout the day Residence Director – Savohn Hunt Phone: (239) 304-7360 Email: savohn.hunt@avemaria.edu
Feb 27 2023 Saint Sebastian Hall Saint Sebastian Hall is one of three men’s residence halls. These rooms are either doubles/triples or suite-style that house up to eight residents. The doubles/triples each have individual bathrooms, and the suites each have two bathrooms and a common space. The suite-style rooms have either four bedrooms with two residents each or two bedrooms with three residents each. The entire hall is air-conditioned, with individual room temperatures controlled remotely. Throughout Sebastian Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common spaces, a kitchenette complete with appliances, and a computer lab with a printer and scanner. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The main lobby features an air hockey table as well as a ping-pong table. At the heart of the hall is the St. Sebastian chapel that houses the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is open 24/7 for residents to spend time with our Lord throughout the day. two person six person eight person Residence Director – Brady Fehringer Phone: 239-304-7187 Email: Brady.fehringer@avemaria.edu
Feb 27 2023 Saint Francis Xavier Hall Saint Francis Xavier Hall is one of three women’s residence halls. These rooms are either doubles/triples or suite-style that house up to eight residents. The doubles/triples each have individual bathrooms, and the suites each have two bathrooms and a common space. The suite-style rooms have either four bedrooms with two residents each or two bedrooms with four residents each. The entire hall is air-conditioned, with individual room temperatures controlled remotely. two person six person eight person Throughout Xavier Hall, residents will find HDTVs in the various common spaces, a kitchenette complete with appliances, and a computer lab with a printer and scanner. The entire building is wireless, allowing students to access the internet anywhere in the hall. An on-site laundry room is available to residents free of charge. The main lobby features the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, which offers Mass daily. A A My project My project eoAopUA eoAopUA ePAlnw ePAlnw PcFFyM PcFFyM thAU g thAU g vHmg vHmg xngKhcQ xngKhcQ Residence Director –Kara Logan Office Phone: (239) 304-7206 Email: Kara.M.Logan@avemaria.edu
Feb 26 2023 AMU on EWTN Radio President Middendorf Interviewed on EWTN Radio On Sunday, February 25, AMU’s President, Mark Middendorf was interviewed on the show “Catholic Connection” on EWTN Radio. The topic of the interview revolved around the importance of Catholic higher education, what Ave Maria University has been up to during this past year, and how President Middendorf became part of the University. “I’ve been a supporter of this University since it was just a tomato field,” said Middendorf playfully, as he recalled when he made a donation to AMU in the early 2000s, wondering if one of his children would attend the school in the future. “The love of Truth and the love of God are really our core focus of what we are doing here.” — Mark Middendorf, AMU President Throughout the course of the show, Mark explained how multiple professors have left tenure at other major universities to be part of AMU, and how — unlike most secular institutions — Ave Maria is committed to teaching that there is an objective Truth. “I think we have the finest faculty in the Catholic world,” he said. The first thing that Mark Middendorf did upon starting his role as president of Ave Maria University last February, was to promote a school-wide consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The President distributed preparation booklets for Marian consecration to all students, faculty, and staff, and the University was consecrated to Our Lady on March 25, 2022 — which also happened to be the 85th birthday of Tom Monaghan, Ave Maria’s founder. Toward the end of the interview, President Middendorf shared that a turning point in his life was when he did his Marian consecration, and he reiterated how AMU truly is Our Lady’s university. “One of the unique charisms of Ave Maria University is Our Blessed Mother,” said Middendorf. “Everything is consecrated to her.” AMU is blessed to have Mark Middendorf as president, and it salutes him for his faithful leadership and dedication to Our Lady. If you would like to support Catholic higher education, consider joining the Annunciation Circle, a community of members who support Ave Maria University through their prayers and monthly donations of $10 or more. You can learn more about Annunciation Circle here.
Feb 09 2023 Enterprising Graduate Formation AMU Offers Innovative M.B.A. Ave Maria University offers an extremely affordable online Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), which can be completed in 12–16 months. This flexible program offers four areas of concentration: Management, Accounting, Communications, and International Business. The M.B.A. program at AMU provides students the opportunity to experience a high-quality, well-rounded business education at an affordable price, while offering the flexibility of being able to study whenever and wherever they desire, thanks to its fully online modality. The program consists of 32 credit hours distributed in eight courses—five required courses that equip students with financial and managerial skills, and three courses that are electives for their respective area of concentration. “Ave Maria University has created an M.B.A. program that can be completed at a reasonable cost in one year, using faculty from AMU as well as selected excellent adjunct faculty in specialty areas.”—Professor John May, Director of the M.B.A. Program and Chair of the Business Department at AMU As stated above, the M.B.A. can be completed in as little as 12 months. There are four convenient start times throughout the year: fall, spring, summer session I, and summer session II. This is a perfect opportunity to advance one’s career, since time is not a limiting factor in the student’s graduate formation, especially for those who enroll in the program while holding a full-time job. “Ave Maria University’s Online M.B.A. program has allowed me to further my education, while still providing me with the ideal work-life and school balance,” said Danielle Domino, M.B.A. coordinator and AMU alumnus (’22). “The program’s flexible course structure and hands-on professors have given me the ability to study at my own pace. One of the most rewarding aspects about the M.B.A. program is that I have learned both academic and spiritual principles that are applicable to my professional life.” A master’s degree in business administration can prepare students for positions in management, marketing, and finance, as well as for multiple leadership positions in the business world. Ave Maria University is proud to be part of the formation of the business leaders of tomorrow, who will make an impact in the world by living out the convergence of ethical wisdom and professional training. If you wish to learn more about AMU’s online M.B.A., you can go to the program’s page, or you can contact the program coordinator at onlinemba@avemaria.edu.
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