April 11, 2024 • 22 mins
Embark on a delightful journey with me as I sit down with Kristen Vito, the passionate assistant Director of Alumni Events and Community Engagement at St Ambrose University. During our conversation, we traverse Kristen's surprising path from exercise science to the vibrant world of community engagement, uncovering how her work is integral to nurturing the future through the SAU Wine Festival Series.
Sip and savor the essence of the SAU Wine Fest Series' 23 years of togetherness, philanthropy, and scholarship support, all distilled into a series of events designed to captivate the heart and palate. The festival represents more than a gathering; it's a bridge connecting alumni and the local community, fostering a culture of investment in the region's growth and prosperity. Kristen and I ponder the potent blend of social enjoyment and giving back, illustrating how these events have blossomed into a cornerstone of community and educational support.
As the conversation winds down, we shed light on how you can be a part of this festive tradition and contribute to the future of promising students. Discover where to sign up, how to get involved, and learn more about the rich experiences awaiting you at the Wine Fest Series. Kristen's fervor for St Ambrose and the Quad Cities promises to leave you inspired and eager to join in the celebrations that so beautifully intertwine education, community, and the timeless joy of a fine glass of wine.
Check out www.sau.edu/winefest for more information and to register.
Keep up with St. Ambrose happenings on their social media: https://www.facebook.com/stambroseuniversity
https://www.instagram.com/stambroseuniversity/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/stambrose
QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This event series has really grown over the years.
I think people realize what agreat cause it is and who
doesn't love to raise money fora great cause and have a glass
of wine and toast to some greatopportunities for future
students and students that arecurrently at Antwerp?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Where do you find a family of communities connected
by the storied Mississippi River, where young explorers and
dreamers, investors andentrepreneurs thrive?
Where can you connect with realpeople living and creating in a
place that's as genuine as itis quirky QC?
That's where.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Welcome to QC.
That's where I'm Katrina, yourhost, and today I'm talking to
Kristen Vito, the assistantDirector of Alumni Events and
Community Engagement at StAmbrose University.
Kristen also oversees our topicof conversation today.
She helps oversee the SAU WineFestival series.
So, Kristen, hello Welcome.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Hello, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, super excited.
This event is a great markerfor scholarship opportunities
for SAU and I want to get allinto what's coming up.
You guys have put a lot ofreally hard work into this
three-part series.
But first I want to get to knowKristen a little bit.
So tell me a little bit aboutwhat it is to be the Alumni
(01:22):
Events and community engagementassistant director at Ambrose
and what your day-to-day is alittle bit.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Sure, I had the great opportunity of working with a
phenomenal team and advancementand alumni and we work with,
obviously at St Ambrose, alumnias well as donors throughout the
community and country that helpsupport St Ambrose.
I do a lot of event planningfor our alumni and donors.
(01:56):
We get to celebrate how they'rehelping make St Ambrose just a
great place for students to beand get a great education.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
So you're speaking from personal experience,
because you were a student.
What did you study there?
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Actually my family members were students there, or
I have my brother-in-law andsister-in-law were students
there, but I was able to watchthem go get a great education
through St Ambrose and attendgraduations and events there.
So I've been able to watch alot of family members graduate
from St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Oh, gotcha, sorry, I misheard you.
I thought you said that youwent there as well, so no,
that's okay, no problem.
Where did you go?
If you don't mind my asking.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I went to Clark College.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Oh, okay, and what was your area of study there?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So I actually studied exercise science.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Okay, Isn't that so funny?
Like I find that so many peoplestudy one thing, but then when
you get out into the world, it'slike whether you got into it or
not, you just kind of developdifferent interests and your
life kind of goes down adifferent path.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yep, that it's.
It's interesting, I worked inthat field for several years and
then, yeah, I decided to changethe direction and this is.
It's been a great experienceworking at St Ambrose, just
being on campus and watching thestudents that are, you know,
engaged with different thingsthat are going on with their
studies and events and athleticsand just different things that
(03:12):
are going on campus.
It's great to be out there andwatching them engage and then
bringing back those alumni tosee how much the campus has
grown and where we're going inthe future with education.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
With your like family ties and roots, you got a lot
of exposure, you know, beforeyou were working there.
Are you a Quad Cities native aswell?
Speaker 1 (03:32):
I am for the most part.
I grew up in DeWitt, iowa, so,which is part of the Quad Cities
, and then moved here when I gotmarried, so we've been here
over 20 years.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Okay, awesome.
Yeah, I was kind of atransplant um once I entered
adulthood, if you will, but umalways came to the Quad Cities
like growing up, cause we hadfamily here.
So I, yeah I kind of had thesame experience a little bit
where, like I would get to seelike my family members doing
Quad City things and join in,you know kind of like
(04:02):
opportunistically, so, um, it'sa great place to to wind up, you
know, as an adult, and a greatplace to grow up to.
I mean ever since, I mean forthe last couple of decades, like
I feel like the Quad Cities hasreally been like bouncing back,
expanding, growing, workingtogether, and I've seen people
do a lot of that, like boomerang, where they kind of grew up
(04:23):
here, left for a little bit andthen they end up coming back.
Right, yes, I see a lot of that,do you?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
see a lot of that in the students at Amber I do I do
and then you see them bringtheir families back.
They want to bring, you know,raise their kids here, and I
think a lot of people don'trealize there's so much to do in
the Quad Cities and there'salways something going on, I
feel like every weekend, and Ithink having a university in the
Quad Cities is just it's greatbecause you know, a lot of our
(04:50):
students go on to work atbusinesses in the Quad Cities
and, yeah, I think it's just aQuad Cities is just a great
place and I think people don'talways realize what we have to
offer as far as things to do andgreat place to live and great
communities.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
You're so right on that and that's one thing, like
at Visit Quad Cities, that wetry to tout and just like
increase that brag abilitybecause there are so many things
like fun.
Fact, there are over 1000events held in the Quad Cities
every year and you know there'sbetween seven and 800
restaurants in the Quad Cities.
(05:25):
There's like a lot of things todo, a lot of places to explore
and you know events like whatwe're going to talk about help
kind of just raise morale, dosomething nice for students.
There's so many higher edopportunities in the Quad Cities
and opportunities, once yougraduate, to stay and start
living your life and working.
So let's, let's dive in to thiswine festival series.
(05:47):
Sure, what is it and why is itgreat for the wine aficionados
and also students coming up atAmbrose Sure.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
So the wine fest series San Ambrose wine series
is a three-part series.
It's three events.
I had our first event back inMarch and that was our Wine at
the Warehouse.
That event is a really uniqueevent because it takes place in
a warehouse down at Dimitri Wineand Spirits.
It's a two-hour event.
(06:20):
We have some local food vendorsthat come in and you just get
to sample everything over 60, 70wine that you can pair with
some different food and thingslike that.
It's just a great way, it'svery casual.
So that's our first event wasby the warehouse.
And then we have the previewdinner, which is April 13.
And this is more of elegantdinner.
(06:42):
And then we have our May events, May 18, which is our wine
tasting event, in which what'sgreat about all three of these
events is if you are a wineconnoisseur or if you're just
starting out and just, you know,wanted to see what is out there
for different kinds of wine, itgives you an opportunity to
taste all the different kindsand pair them with different
(07:02):
foods.
And what's the most importantpart about these three events is
all the money raised goestowards student scholarships,
and 99% of our students qualifyfor some type of financial aid,
and so this is a greatopportunity to have some fun and
raise money to help studentsget an affordable education at
(07:23):
St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
So we are in about springtime of 2024.
So Wine at the Warehouse.
That first piece in March isdone for this year.
But if you happen to belistening in the future, if it
is 2025, 26, we could probablycount that this event is still
going on.
So take a look this year 2024,is the 23rd anniversary of this
(07:48):
event.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
That's a long time it is.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
It's a long time for an event and, um, you know, a
lot of times events kind of youknow they, either you have to
either shut them down or youdon't get the attendance.
This, um, this event series hasreally grown over the years.
Um, I think people realize whata great cause it is and, um,
who doesn't love to, you know,raise money for great cause and
have a glass of wine and toastto some great opportunities for
(08:16):
future students and studentsthat are currently at Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
It's a really unique way to raise money.
You know, I think people hearthe word scholarship event or
something, or scholarshipfundraiser, and the first thing
that goes to your mind isprobably something a little more
dry or not as exciting.
But the fact that you guys havebeen able to pair a fun event
with this mission is reallyoutstanding and it shows in the
(08:42):
longevity of this event that itworks.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Right right, it sure does, and we are starting to get
younger generation in therethat have graduated from St
Ambrose.
They want to give back.
They know how they benefitedfrom the scholarships and so
they want to give back to that,and it's a great way for them to
help out with that.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
So hosting a three part, hosting an event first of
all, is no small undertaking.
Um, a three-part series for 23years is, I mean, mission
impossible.
You guys have been able to makeit happen.
So there is a committee,correct?
That kind of makes it allhappen.
Yes, correct.
And so so the three, the threepieces of this event.
(09:28):
Um, you know, you guys all whatlike divide and conquer.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
We do.
We have our staff for ouralumni team and we all kind of
help out and take differentcomponents of each event.
And then we have this amazingWine Fest committee board and
they go out and they help bringsponsors in and, you know, help
bring donations of wine in forour silent auction and help go
out and bring in live auctionitems for the preview dinner.
(09:55):
They do a lot of work.
They help with marketing andthey help, yeah, just kind of
get people aware of the eventsand how it can help raise money
for student scholarships.
So our board is excellent.
The committee just does so muchwork for us and helps, helps
make these events so successful.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Is this like purely staff and like alumni run, or do
you guys have studentinvolvement at all in in making
it happen?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right now it's just purely staff and then committee.
We do have actually for ourpreview dinner, because it's a
three course meal and thingslike that we do have.
This year we're having themen's and women's basketball
team and they will be helpingserve for that event.
So men's basketball team willbe helping bring out the main
courses, yeah, and the girlsbasketball team they'll be
(10:43):
pouring all the wine.
So it's kind of a fun way toget them involved and it's a
great opportunity for our donorsto interact with our students
and talk to them and see howthings are going on campus.
So it's a great way for that tohelp.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It's great you guys have kind of developed an
ecosystem for it to continue tothrive, because you've got the
students having at least a layerof involvement and then you
know it bakes into the alumniexperience, I guess if you will
Right, yep, that's exactly howit works.
Yeah, I have a pretty amazingstat here.
So, like you said, 99% of StAmbrose students qualify for
(11:21):
financial aid and this eventadds up to more than 27 million
awarded each year.
Yes, yes, my jaw is dropping Ifyou aren't watching on the
YouTube version right now.
My jaw just dropped.
That's an insane amount ofgifts that you can give to these
students.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Yes, yes, we're currently at.
For the Wine, fet and Seriesalone, we're at about 1.8
million.
We're hoping to reset 2 millionmark this year.
And then, as a whole, that'show much the school gives out
for scholarships throughout.
So this event on its own, we'relooking to reset 2 million mark
this year.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You've kind of walked me through the preview dinner.
It's a very upscale You'regoing to get dressed into
something nice and three coursemeal wine pouring.
Let's dive in a little bit tothe festival, the third tier of
this event.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Sure, sure.
So the Wine Fest is on May 18th.
It's also graduation day thatday, and so this event takes
place on campus at St Ambroseand we'll have over a hundred
wine that people taste and we'llhave food vendors there and
it's a great way just to gothrough and find out what you
(12:36):
like.
Maybe there's a favorite thatyou've had in the past, come
back and try that again, andit's from three to six on the
18th and yeah, it's just a greatway to hopefully it'll be a
beautiful May day on that dayand again raising money for
those scholarships and tastingjust a variety of different wine
.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
That's always fun.
It's like a fun date idea.
You know, tasting, yeah, andwhat you said about the preview
dinner to how you can kind ofexperience the dinner.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Food pairings yes it's such it's a fun experience,
but it's also like aneducational experience, yeah
right, and that's what's neatabout the preview dinner is we
actually have a our featuredvintner that will come in.
And that's what's neat aboutthe preview dinner is we
actually have a, um, ourfeatured vintner that will come
in.
And so this year, our featuredvintner is Smith Madrone, and
it's Stu Smith from SmithMadrone winery, out of Napa
Valley, and so during thepreview dinner, when each course
(13:32):
comes out, they will um, he andDimitri Papagiorgio, who owns
Dimitri Wine, spir Spirits.
They have paired up thedifferent wine to match the
course, and so he will come up,stu Smith will come up and talk
about the wine and what it'spaired with, and so, yeah, it's
very much an educationalexperience for people that are
(13:53):
there as well.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
So what are you most excited about for what's yet to
come in this three-part series?
Speaker 1 (14:04):
about for what's yet to come in this three-part
series.
Sure, I think it's just gettingto see our alumni, getting to
see our donors and justshowcasing what they have helped
do to grow St Ambrose andcontinue to make it just a
wonderful place for students tobe and continue to make it just
a wonderful place for studentsto be and getting to showcase
that and making them, helpingthem realize what they've done
(14:29):
for these students that go to StAmbrose.
So that's what I enjoy aboutthese events is getting to
showcase all those greatcomponents.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I imagine that an event like this naturally would
kind of turn into like a reunionevent.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Yes, and some people do that with a lot of them.
They'll call and say, hey, areyou coming back for this?
You know they'll reserve tablesfor the preview dinner with
either people that they workwith or people they've gone to
school with, or friends thatthey're friends with.
So, yeah, it's a great way todo that as well.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And it's kind of like a something for everyone event.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Yes, it is, and both events, like I said, you know,
the March event is a little morecasual, the April one is yeah,
get dressed up for an elegantnight out.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
And then the one in May is a little more casual as
well, and so, yeah, there'sdefinitely something for every
age and just a lot of fun, yeah,and so in your efforts you know
you've been working so hard toget this promoted you guys have
had the opportunity to go onlike our local TV stations shows
and do a segment.
Where have you presented thisso far?
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Sure.
So we went on Quad Cities Liveand we've also been on Living
Local and both segments weregreat.
They both do a wonderful job ofjust promoting the Quad Cities
and fun things are taking place,and so we're really fortunate
and lucky to have both of thosethere to help promote events for
(15:58):
us.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Hopefully, you know, with with more exposure, stuff
like this, I mean honestly, justthe higher ed options in the
Quad Cities are unmatched andthe more opportunities
financially that we can, youknow, help give to up and coming
the next generation, if youwill like, we're all on board
with.
At Visit Quad Cities, our localmedia partners are obviously
had that same mission.
(16:20):
There is so much to the QuadCities, like you know, for
whatever age you are, whetheryou are a college student,
whether you're a parent of acollege student, and we just
like to continue to foster thatrelationship with our, you know,
higher ed institutions.
Super excited for this event.
And so, kind of taking a stepback from your experience in the
(16:45):
Quad Cities so far, what hasbeen your like go-to?
Just Kristen out for a night orsomething fun you like to do.
What's your go-to thing in theQuad Cities?
I really like to go to thing inthe Quad.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Cities.
I really like to go to localrestaurants, local breweries,
local wineries, local coffeeshops and really support the
local part of it.
I enjoy a great coffee onSaturday mornings at some of the
different local businesses.
So, yeah, I think for me it'sjust going out there and just
(17:21):
there there's so much in theQuad Cities and just trying
something new, um when I can andum taking family members and
friends to those new places aswell.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
When I first moved here I just thought it was like
too cool that you can get acrossfrom Illinois to Iowa, or vice
versa, in like a matter ofminutes, you know depending on
where you are, I mean the QuadCities are legitimately has no
commute time wherever you are,you can get to where you need to
be in 20 minutes or lesspractically, and so I really
loved taking people on like abike ride.
(17:52):
I would start at Schwiebert Parkin Rock Island and I'd be like
we can be downtown Iowa in 10minutes, like, let's roll, you
know, go bike downtown acrosslike the government bridge and
then back over across theCentennial.
I just love features like thatand I think it's probably for
students coming in who are notfrom here, they're from out of
town, they're maybe exploring,not sure if they want to go to
St Ambrose yet it's got to be aneasy sell.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
It is and there's there's so much like, like you
said, getting from one side tothe other across the river.
Yeah, it's a great way to belike there's there's so much to
do, especially for collegestudents.
There's so many different, youknow, attractions, especially
when they bring if they're fromout of state, you know, bring
their family members here.
There's always something to dowith your family members
(18:38):
different places to see, and Ithink the river adds a lot.
There's just a lot of things todo on the river as well.
But, yeah, it's definitely agreat place to live and with
having so many differentsurrounding communities as part
of the Quad Cities, yeah,totally.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
So what else about this event?
Like if I'm brand new here,I've never heard of it.
You've got an elevator pitch,essentially to get me to come to
one of these tiers of the event.
What are you going to say?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
I am going to say if you love to raise funds and help
raise funds for a great cause,the Wine Fest series is the way
to do it.
If you enjoy, you know, greatconversation and camaraderie and
tasting some great wine, it's agreat way to support a
(19:29):
wonderful cause with helpingstudents gain a great education
at St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Sold.
I'm there Done.
So last thing I kind of want tojust touch on is do you have a
few highlight pieces of the StAmbrose campus or St Ambrose
life, things to do aroundAmbrose, you know, kind ofa
pitch sure.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
so the campus is beautiful, um, and I I think
that's one thing If you're fromthe Quad Cities, if you haven't
had a chance to go on campus andwalk around.
They've done some great, greatadditions and great improvements
to some of the buildings aroundcampus.
The grounds look amazing.
It really feels like acommunity when you walk on
(20:19):
campus.
Feels like a community when youwalk on campus and they
continue to do some great thingswithin the College of Business.
And we have a new building thatwas just remodeled, Higgins
Hall.
That dedication will be comingup, so that's a new renovation
to that building.
So it's just going to becontinued growth on campus and I
(20:39):
think it's just.
It's just a very beautifulcampus to be part of.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Well said.
So on that note, I have to askyou per tradition on this
podcast, we always have theguest fill in the blank.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
QC, that's where the fun stuff happens.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Oh, I like that one.
We might steal that.
That's good.
Well, thank you so much,Kristen.
Where can people go to sign upfor this event, register, get a
little more info, or if theywant to just help donate to the
scholarship fund?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Sure they can go to for more information on the Wine
Fest events and to purchasetickets.
They can go to sauedu slashwine fest and that there will
take.
Give them all the informationto purchase tickets as well as
donate to the scholarships.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Amazing, so we will go ahead and link that in the
description.
So if you're watching on theYouTube video, go ahead and look
in the description, or ifyou're on a podcast platform, it
will be there as well.
And yeah, thank you so much.
We'll make sure that this eventis on our events calendar as
well, so check that out.
Visitquadcitiescom slash eventsfor all the fun stuff happening
(21:48):
in the Quad Cities.
Again, thanks, kristen, thiswas really fun.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Thank you so much, katrina, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Thanks for listening to QC.
That's when a podcast poweredby Visit Quad Cities Text
VISITQC to 38314 for insiderevents, activities and updates
sent straight to your phone.
That's V-I-S-I-T-Q-C one wordto 38314.
(22:14):
Message and data rates mayapply Bye.
This event series has really grown over the years.
I think people realize what agreat cause it is and who
doesn't love to raise money fora great cause and have a glass
of wine and toast to some greatopportunities for future
students and students that arecurrently at Antwerp?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Where do you find a family of communities connected
by the storied Mississippi River, where young explorers and
dreamers, investors andentrepreneurs thrive?
Where can you connect with realpeople living and creating in a
place that's as genuine as itis quirky QC?
That's where.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Welcome to QC.
That's where I'm Katrina, yourhost, and today I'm talking to
Kristen Vito, the assistantDirector of Alumni Events and
Community Engagement at StAmbrose University.
Kristen also oversees our topicof conversation today.
She helps oversee the SAU WineFestival series.
So, Kristen, hello Welcome.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Hello, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Yeah, super excited.
This event is a great markerfor scholarship opportunities
for SAU and I want to get allinto what's coming up.
You guys have put a lot ofreally hard work into this
three-part series.
But first I want to get to knowKristen a little bit.
So tell me a little bit aboutwhat it is to be the Alumni
(01:22):
Events and community engagementassistant director at Ambrose
and what your day-to-day is alittle bit.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Sure, I had the great opportunity of working with a
phenomenal team and advancementand alumni and we work with,
obviously at St Ambrose, alumnias well as donors throughout the
community and country that helpsupport St Ambrose.
I do a lot of event planningfor our alumni and donors.
(01:56):
We get to celebrate how they'rehelping make St Ambrose just a
great place for students to beand get a great education.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
So you're speaking from personal experience,
because you were a student.
What did you study there?
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Actually my family members were students there, or
I have my brother-in-law andsister-in-law were students
there, but I was able to watchthem go get a great education
through St Ambrose and attendgraduations and events there.
So I've been able to watch alot of family members graduate
from St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Oh, gotcha, sorry, I misheard you.
I thought you said that youwent there as well, so no,
that's okay, no problem.
Where did you go?
If you don't mind my asking.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I went to Clark College.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Oh, okay, and what was your area of study there?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So I actually studied exercise science.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Okay, Isn't that so funny?
Like I find that so many peoplestudy one thing, but then when
you get out into the world, it'slike whether you got into it or
not, you just kind of developdifferent interests and your
life kind of goes down adifferent path.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yep, that it's.
It's interesting, I worked inthat field for several years and
then, yeah, I decided to changethe direction and this is.
It's been a great experienceworking at St Ambrose, just
being on campus and watching thestudents that are, you know,
engaged with different thingsthat are going on with their
studies and events and athleticsand just different things that
(03:12):
are going on campus.
It's great to be out there andwatching them engage and then
bringing back those alumni tosee how much the campus has
grown and where we're going inthe future with education.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
With your like family ties and roots, you got a lot
of exposure, you know, beforeyou were working there.
Are you a Quad Cities native aswell?
Speaker 1 (03:32):
I am for the most part.
I grew up in DeWitt, iowa, so,which is part of the Quad Cities
, and then moved here when I gotmarried, so we've been here
over 20 years.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Okay, awesome.
Yeah, I was kind of atransplant um once I entered
adulthood, if you will, but umalways came to the Quad Cities
like growing up, cause we hadfamily here.
So I, yeah I kind of had thesame experience a little bit
where, like I would get to seelike my family members doing
Quad City things and join in,you know kind of like
(04:02):
opportunistically, so, um, it'sa great place to to wind up, you
know, as an adult, and a greatplace to grow up to.
I mean ever since, I mean forthe last couple of decades, like
I feel like the Quad Cities hasreally been like bouncing back,
expanding, growing, workingtogether, and I've seen people
do a lot of that, like boomerang, where they kind of grew up
(04:23):
here, left for a little bit andthen they end up coming back.
Right, yes, I see a lot of that,do you?
Speaker 1 (04:29):
see a lot of that in the students at Amber I do I do
and then you see them bringtheir families back.
They want to bring, you know,raise their kids here, and I
think a lot of people don'trealize there's so much to do in
the Quad Cities and there'salways something going on, I
feel like every weekend, and Ithink having a university in the
Quad Cities is just it's greatbecause you know, a lot of our
(04:50):
students go on to work atbusinesses in the Quad Cities
and, yeah, I think it's just aQuad Cities is just a great
place and I think people don'talways realize what we have to
offer as far as things to do andgreat place to live and great
communities.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
You're so right on that and that's one thing, like
at Visit Quad Cities, that wetry to tout and just like
increase that brag abilitybecause there are so many things
like fun.
Fact, there are over 1000events held in the Quad Cities
every year and you know there'sbetween seven and 800
restaurants in the Quad Cities.
(05:25):
There's like a lot of things todo, a lot of places to explore
and you know events like whatwe're going to talk about help
kind of just raise morale, dosomething nice for students.
There's so many higher edopportunities in the Quad Cities
and opportunities, once yougraduate, to stay and start
living your life and working.
So let's, let's dive in to thiswine festival series.
(05:47):
Sure, what is it and why is itgreat for the wine aficionados
and also students coming up atAmbrose Sure.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
So the wine fest series San Ambrose wine series
is a three-part series.
It's three events.
I had our first event back inMarch and that was our Wine at
the Warehouse.
That event is a really uniqueevent because it takes place in
a warehouse down at Dimitri Wineand Spirits.
It's a two-hour event.
(06:20):
We have some local food vendorsthat come in and you just get
to sample everything over 60, 70wine that you can pair with
some different food and thingslike that.
It's just a great way, it'svery casual.
So that's our first event wasby the warehouse.
And then we have the previewdinner, which is April 13.
And this is more of elegantdinner.
(06:42):
And then we have our May events, May 18, which is our wine
tasting event, in which what'sgreat about all three of these
events is if you are a wineconnoisseur or if you're just
starting out and just, you know,wanted to see what is out there
for different kinds of wine, itgives you an opportunity to
taste all the different kindsand pair them with different
(07:02):
foods.
And what's the most importantpart about these three events is
all the money raised goestowards student scholarships,
and 99% of our students qualifyfor some type of financial aid,
and so this is a greatopportunity to have some fun and
raise money to help studentsget an affordable education at
(07:23):
St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
So we are in about springtime of 2024.
So Wine at the Warehouse.
That first piece in March isdone for this year.
But if you happen to belistening in the future, if it
is 2025, 26, we could probablycount that this event is still
going on.
So take a look this year 2024,is the 23rd anniversary of this
(07:48):
event.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
That's a long time it is.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
It's a long time for an event and, um, you know, a
lot of times events kind of youknow they, either you have to
either shut them down or youdon't get the attendance.
This, um, this event series hasreally grown over the years.
Um, I think people realize whata great cause it is and, um,
who doesn't love to, you know,raise money for great cause and
have a glass of wine and toastto some great opportunities for
(08:16):
future students and studentsthat are currently at Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
It's a really unique way to raise money.
You know, I think people hearthe word scholarship event or
something, or scholarshipfundraiser, and the first thing
that goes to your mind isprobably something a little more
dry or not as exciting.
But the fact that you guys havebeen able to pair a fun event
with this mission is reallyoutstanding and it shows in the
(08:42):
longevity of this event that itworks.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Right right, it sure does, and we are starting to get
younger generation in therethat have graduated from St
Ambrose.
They want to give back.
They know how they benefitedfrom the scholarships and so
they want to give back to that,and it's a great way for them to
help out with that.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
So hosting a three part, hosting an event first of
all, is no small undertaking.
Um, a three-part series for 23years is, I mean, mission
impossible.
You guys have been able to makeit happen.
So there is a committee,correct?
That kind of makes it allhappen.
Yes, correct.
And so so the three, the threepieces of this event.
(09:28):
Um, you know, you guys all whatlike divide and conquer.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
We do.
We have our staff for ouralumni team and we all kind of
help out and take differentcomponents of each event.
And then we have this amazingWine Fest committee board and
they go out and they help bringsponsors in and, you know, help
bring donations of wine in forour silent auction and help go
out and bring in live auctionitems for the preview dinner.
(09:55):
They do a lot of work.
They help with marketing andthey help, yeah, just kind of
get people aware of the eventsand how it can help raise money
for student scholarships.
So our board is excellent.
The committee just does so muchwork for us and helps, helps
make these events so successful.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Is this like purely staff and like alumni run, or do
you guys have studentinvolvement at all in in making
it happen?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Right now it's just purely staff and then committee.
We do have actually for ourpreview dinner, because it's a
three course meal and thingslike that we do have.
This year we're having themen's and women's basketball
team and they will be helpingserve for that event.
So men's basketball team willbe helping bring out the main
courses, yeah, and the girlsbasketball team they'll be
(10:43):
pouring all the wine.
So it's kind of a fun way toget them involved and it's a
great opportunity for our donorsto interact with our students
and talk to them and see howthings are going on campus.
So it's a great way for that tohelp.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It's great you guys have kind of developed an
ecosystem for it to continue tothrive, because you've got the
students having at least a layerof involvement and then you
know it bakes into the alumniexperience, I guess if you will
Right, yep, that's exactly howit works.
Yeah, I have a pretty amazingstat here.
So, like you said, 99% of StAmbrose students qualify for
(11:21):
financial aid and this eventadds up to more than 27 million
awarded each year.
Yes, yes, my jaw is dropping Ifyou aren't watching on the
YouTube version right now.
My jaw just dropped.
That's an insane amount ofgifts that you can give to these
students.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Yes, yes, we're currently at.
For the Wine, fet and Seriesalone, we're at about 1.8
million.
We're hoping to reset 2 millionmark this year.
And then, as a whole, that'show much the school gives out
for scholarships throughout.
So this event on its own, we'relooking to reset 2 million mark
this year.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You've kind of walked me through the preview dinner.
It's a very upscale You'regoing to get dressed into
something nice and three coursemeal wine pouring.
Let's dive in a little bit tothe festival, the third tier of
this event.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Sure, sure.
So the Wine Fest is on May 18th.
It's also graduation day thatday, and so this event takes
place on campus at St Ambroseand we'll have over a hundred
wine that people taste and we'llhave food vendors there and
it's a great way just to gothrough and find out what you
(12:36):
like.
Maybe there's a favorite thatyou've had in the past, come
back and try that again, andit's from three to six on the
18th and yeah, it's just a greatway to hopefully it'll be a
beautiful May day on that dayand again raising money for
those scholarships and tastingjust a variety of different wine
.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
That's always fun.
It's like a fun date idea.
You know, tasting, yeah, andwhat you said about the preview
dinner to how you can kind ofexperience the dinner.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Food pairings yes it's such it's a fun experience,
but it's also like aneducational experience, yeah
right, and that's what's neatabout the preview dinner is we
actually have a our featuredvintner that will come in.
And that's what's neat aboutthe preview dinner is we
actually have a, um, ourfeatured vintner that will come
in.
And so this year, our featuredvintner is Smith Madrone, and
it's Stu Smith from SmithMadrone winery, out of Napa
Valley, and so during thepreview dinner, when each course
(13:32):
comes out, they will um, he andDimitri Papagiorgio, who owns
Dimitri Wine, spir Spirits.
They have paired up thedifferent wine to match the
course, and so he will come up,stu Smith will come up and talk
about the wine and what it'spaired with, and so, yeah, it's
very much an educationalexperience for people that are
(13:53):
there as well.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
So what are you most excited about for what's yet to
come in this three-part series?
Speaker 1 (14:04):
about for what's yet to come in this three-part
series.
Sure, I think it's just gettingto see our alumni, getting to
see our donors and justshowcasing what they have helped
do to grow St Ambrose andcontinue to make it just a
wonderful place for students tobe and continue to make it just
a wonderful place for studentsto be and getting to showcase
that and making them, helpingthem realize what they've done
(14:29):
for these students that go to StAmbrose.
So that's what I enjoy aboutthese events is getting to
showcase all those greatcomponents.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I imagine that an event like this naturally would
kind of turn into like a reunionevent.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Yes, and some people do that with a lot of them.
They'll call and say, hey, areyou coming back for this?
You know they'll reserve tablesfor the preview dinner with
either people that they workwith or people they've gone to
school with, or friends thatthey're friends with.
So, yeah, it's a great way todo that as well.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And it's kind of like a something for everyone event.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Yes, it is, and both events, like I said, you know,
the March event is a little morecasual, the April one is yeah,
get dressed up for an elegantnight out.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
And then the one in May is a little more casual as
well, and so, yeah, there'sdefinitely something for every
age and just a lot of fun, yeah,and so in your efforts you know
you've been working so hard toget this promoted you guys have
had the opportunity to go onlike our local TV stations shows
and do a segment.
Where have you presented thisso far?
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Sure.
So we went on Quad Cities Liveand we've also been on Living
Local and both segments weregreat.
They both do a wonderful job ofjust promoting the Quad Cities
and fun things are taking place,and so we're really fortunate
and lucky to have both of thosethere to help promote events for
(15:58):
us.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Hopefully, you know, with with more exposure, stuff
like this, I mean honestly, justthe higher ed options in the
Quad Cities are unmatched andthe more opportunities
financially that we can, youknow, help give to up and coming
the next generation, if youwill like, we're all on board
with.
At Visit Quad Cities, our localmedia partners are obviously
had that same mission.
(16:20):
There is so much to the QuadCities, like you know, for
whatever age you are, whetheryou are a college student,
whether you're a parent of acollege student, and we just
like to continue to foster thatrelationship with our, you know,
higher ed institutions.
Super excited for this event.
And so, kind of taking a stepback from your experience in the
(16:45):
Quad Cities so far, what hasbeen your like go-to?
Just Kristen out for a night orsomething fun you like to do.
What's your go-to thing in theQuad Cities?
I really like to go to thing inthe Quad.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Cities.
I really like to go to localrestaurants, local breweries,
local wineries, local coffeeshops and really support the
local part of it.
I enjoy a great coffee onSaturday mornings at some of the
different local businesses.
So, yeah, I think for me it'sjust going out there and just
(17:21):
there there's so much in theQuad Cities and just trying
something new, um when I can andum taking family members and
friends to those new places aswell.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
When I first moved here I just thought it was like
too cool that you can get acrossfrom Illinois to Iowa, or vice
versa, in like a matter ofminutes, you know depending on
where you are, I mean the QuadCities are legitimately has no
commute time wherever you are,you can get to where you need to
be in 20 minutes or lesspractically, and so I really
loved taking people on like abike ride.
(17:52):
I would start at Schwiebert Parkin Rock Island and I'd be like
we can be downtown Iowa in 10minutes, like, let's roll, you
know, go bike downtown acrosslike the government bridge and
then back over across theCentennial.
I just love features like thatand I think it's probably for
students coming in who are notfrom here, they're from out of
town, they're maybe exploring,not sure if they want to go to
St Ambrose yet it's got to be aneasy sell.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
It is and there's there's so much like, like you
said, getting from one side tothe other across the river.
Yeah, it's a great way to belike there's there's so much to
do, especially for collegestudents.
There's so many different, youknow, attractions, especially
when they bring if they're fromout of state, you know, bring
their family members here.
There's always something to dowith your family members
(18:38):
different places to see, and Ithink the river adds a lot.
There's just a lot of things todo on the river as well.
But, yeah, it's definitely agreat place to live and with
having so many differentsurrounding communities as part
of the Quad Cities, yeah,totally.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
So what else about this event?
Like if I'm brand new here,I've never heard of it.
You've got an elevator pitch,essentially to get me to come to
one of these tiers of the event.
What are you going to say?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
I am going to say if you love to raise funds and help
raise funds for a great cause,the Wine Fest series is the way
to do it.
If you enjoy, you know, greatconversation and camaraderie and
tasting some great wine, it's agreat way to support a
(19:29):
wonderful cause with helpingstudents gain a great education
at St Ambrose.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Sold.
I'm there Done.
So last thing I kind of want tojust touch on is do you have a
few highlight pieces of the StAmbrose campus or St Ambrose
life, things to do aroundAmbrose, you know, kind ofa
pitch sure.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
so the campus is beautiful, um, and I I think
that's one thing If you're fromthe Quad Cities, if you haven't
had a chance to go on campus andwalk around.
They've done some great, greatadditions and great improvements
to some of the buildings aroundcampus.
The grounds look amazing.
It really feels like acommunity when you walk on
(20:19):
campus.
Feels like a community when youwalk on campus and they
continue to do some great thingswithin the College of Business.
And we have a new building thatwas just remodeled, Higgins
Hall.
That dedication will be comingup, so that's a new renovation
to that building.
So it's just going to becontinued growth on campus and I
(20:39):
think it's just.
It's just a very beautifulcampus to be part of.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Well said.
So on that note, I have to askyou per tradition on this
podcast, we always have theguest fill in the blank.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
QC, that's where the fun stuff happens.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Oh, I like that one.
We might steal that.
That's good.
Well, thank you so much,Kristen.
Where can people go to sign upfor this event, register, get a
little more info, or if theywant to just help donate to the
scholarship fund?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Sure they can go to for more information on the Wine
Fest events and to purchasetickets.
They can go to sauedu slashwine fest and that there will
take.
Give them all the informationto purchase tickets as well as
donate to the scholarships.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Amazing, so we will go ahead and link that in the
description.
So if you're watching on theYouTube video, go ahead and look
in the description, or ifyou're on a podcast platform, it
will be there as well.
And yeah, thank you so much.
We'll make sure that this eventis on our events calendar as
well, so check that out.
Visitquadcitiescom slash eventsfor all the fun stuff happening
(21:48):
in the Quad Cities.
Again, thanks, kristen, thiswas really fun.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
Thank you so much, katrina, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Thanks for listening to QC.
That's when a podcast poweredby Visit Quad Cities Text
VISITQC to 38314 for insiderevents, activities and updates
sent straight to your phone.
That's V-I-S-I-T-Q-C one wordto 38314.
(22:14):
Message and data rates mayapply Bye.
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