Bee Happy Hour

Cheers to SAU!

Make plans to celebrate our 16th annual Bee Happy Hour in 2024!  We can't wait to raise a glass with you! 

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024, 4:30-6:30 PM

Interested in Hosting a BHH in your area? Fill out this form to get started.

If there's a Bee Happy Hour near you, we hope you'll attend.  If not, make plans to gather with a group of Ambrosians near you or organize an online toast.  Send us your pictures taking part in this favorite alumni tradition!

CONFIRMED LOCATIONS FOR 2024: 

Sublette, IL- La Fiesta (107 W Main St, Sublette, IL 61367)

Iowa City, IA- Big Grove Brewery & Taproom (1225 S Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA 52240)Eldridge, IA- Double Barrel Drinkery (350 E LeClaire Rd Suite 1, Eldridge, IA 52748)

Chicago, IL- Open Outcry Brewing Company Rooftop (10934 S Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60643)

Eldridge, IA- Double Barrel Drinkery (350 E LeClaire Rd Suite 1, Eldridge, IA 52748)

Bloomington, IL- Schooners (810 E Grove St., Bloomington, IL 61701)

Waukesha, WI- Morningstar Golfers Club (S77W26285 Prairieside Dr., Waukesha, WI 53189)

Cary, IL- Galati's Hideaway (800 Feinberg Court, Cary, IL 60013)

Rosemont, ILTBD

Edwards, ILTBD

 Email events@sau.edu for more information

A Toast to SAU

Calling all Ambrosians!

A chance for all Ambrosians to toast to their alma mater, no matter where they may be.

Organizing a Bee Happy Hour

See above for those areas in need for an organizer.

St. Ambrose alumni who live in cities across the nation can volunteer to organize a Bee Happy Hour event for other Ambrosians in their area. Below is a summary of what's involved if you'd like to help with this event.  Have other questions?  Contact the Alumni Office at 563/333-6290 or alumni@sau.edu for more information.

Responsibilities of the Local Organizer
  1. Complete Bee Happy Hour Host Participation form to express your interest.
  2. Reserve a location in your area to host BEE Happy Hour.
  3. Recruit alumni volunteers to help support the event; serve as contact for volunteers
  4. Encourage attendance by calling /emailing/messaging alumni in your area. Lists can be provided by the Alumni Engagement Office. The information provided is confidential and may not be used for purposes other than contacting alumni regarding BEE Happy Hour.
  5. "Like", "Share" & "Comment" on BEE Happy Hour communications (Alumni Facebook Page, BEE Happy Hour FB event, and Alumni Instagram).
  6. Notify the Alumni Engagement Office staff of any alumni changes, such as change of address, incorrect/new phone number or email address, etc.
  7. Send a reminder to alumni the week of the event.
  8. Contact the restaurant/venue a week prior to the event to confirm the date, time and other important information for your BEE Happy Hour.
  9. Attend BEE Happy Hour for your location on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Arrive by 4 p.m.). Don't forget to wear your shirt!
  10. Take photos during your BEE Happy Hour. Please promote and tag us on social media so we can see the fun taking place all over the country!
  11. Send the Check-in sheet, bee in touch forms, and photos to the Alumni Engagement Office at events@sau.edu within one week of the event. 

Facebook @stambroseuniversityalumni
Instagram @stambrosealumni

How the Alumni Engagement Office Can Help

We want your party to be a success, so here are the ways we can help you:

  • Provide a list of area alumni (if requested)
  • Provide advice based on event experience
  • Recurring group emails with reminders
  • Promote the event through our alumni e-newsletter and all social media platforms
  • Send an email invitation (4-6 weeks before the event) and a follow-up reminder (1-2 weeks before the event) to area alumni
  • Provide SAU supplies and giveaways (name tags, check-in sheet, etc.)

2023 Confirmed Hosts and Locations

2023 Confirmed Hosts and Locations

See below for details on 2023 Bee Happy Hour in your area! 

Hosts: Fill out the Host Participation Form here! 

Quad City Area- LeClaire, IA

Hosted by Tim '90 and Carrie '14 Lane

Location: Mississippi River Distilling Company
303 N Cody Rd, LeClaire, IA 

Peoria, IL

Hosted by Joan Carroll '88, Patty Medland '87

Location: Knights of Columbus
7403 N Radnor Rd, Peoria, IL 61615

Dubuque, IA

Hosted by Abby Paulson '17

Location: Gary Dolphin's Iron Bar 
333 E 10th St, Dubuque, IA 52201

Minneapolis, MN

Hosted by Leah Hanson

Location: Socialable Cider, 1500 Fillmore St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Sterling, IL

Hosted by Meghan Ward '10

Location: The Rusty Fox
1 E 3rd St, Sterling, IL 61081

Louisville, KY

Hosted by Vince O'Neill '58 and Mike Lannon '66

Location: MESH Restaurant patio, 3608 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40207

Sublette, IL

Hosted by: Don Dinges '57, Linda Grady '82, and Madison Atlhaus 

Location: La Fiesta, 107 W Main St, Sublette, Il 61367

Light snacks and cash bar available. 

Contact Don Dinges at 815-713-5675 or
Linda Grady at 815-883-1100 for more info

Milwaukee, WI

Hosted by Ann Baker '88, Jim Evans '88, and Mary Jandre '92

Location: Bub's Irish Pub 
N116W16218 Main St, Germantown, WI, 53022

Grand Rapids, MI

Hosted by Ben Zorn '95 '98 

Location: ADA Garage Bar & Grill 
518 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301

St. Louis, MO

Hosted by Phil Cervantes '90, Jason Fluchel '05, and Joe McGettigan '03

Location: Biergarten at Das Bevo, 4749 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO 

Cary, IL

Hosted by Sharon Mohr '93 and Emily Mohr '23 

Location: Galati's Hideaway 

800 Feinberg Court, Cary, IL 60013

Iowa City, IA

Hosted by Reeann McCarty '18 and Corrigan Goldsmith '17 '18

Location: Big Grove Brewery & Taproom 
1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Tampa, FL

Hosted by James Sobucki '12

Location: Lighthaus Beer Garden

615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Geneseo, IL

Hosted by Stacy Speidel-Holke '03, Amanda '02 and Ryan '99 Kelly

Location: Geneseo Brewing Co, 102 S State St, Geneseo, IL 61254

Madison, WI

Hosted by Jerry McMorrow '66 and Tim Allen '75

Location: Capital Brewery 
7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton, WI 53562

Phoenix, AZ

Hosted by Steph Sieren '90

Location: The Parlay Kitchen + Cocktails 

1245 S Price Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286

Dewitt, IA

Hosted by Kassidy Jahn '15

Location: Murphy's Pub

613 10th St #1336 Dewitt, IA 52742

Alma Mater Toast

No matter where you are on Thursday, June 8, you can celebrate Bee Happy Hour!  Here's the toast:

We gave you our time, you gave us a degree.
To celebrate, here's a beverage between you and me;
Here's to memories that have never been fonder,
To returning to campus,
If only to wander,
To friendships tested, tried and true,
Here's to your health,
and to St. Ambrose U!

Contact


Wendy Pondell

Alumni Engagement Office
Alumni House: 1527 Brady St.
Mail: 518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563/333-6057
PondellWendyA@sau.edu

It's Time to Connect

Are you ready to reconnect with your alma mater? The St. Ambrose University Alumni Office has so many ways to stay involved, no matter where you are in life. Become an engaged alumnus today!