Before bringing the bees to Quinnipiac, Grgurich spent years studying and learning the science of beekeeping. Maintaining her own hives for almost five years now, Grgurich was excited when she learned that she would be able to bring six of her own hives to Quinnipiac while also developing two new hives for the university.

Grgurich saw the opportunity to educate students and the Quinnipiac community about the importance and benefits of honeybees.

A crucial part of the honey-making process is understanding and maintaining the upkeep of the bees. When deciding what type of honeybees would be brought to campus, it was important to understand the differences and which would best be fit for Connecticut weather.

Ultimately deciding to go with Italian honeybees for their more docile nature, ability to survive in the winter, and the easier required care.

With an estimated half million bees spread throughout the eight hives, Grgurich oversees the care of the honeybees and harvesting of the honey as an important initiative and learning opportunity for students.

Recently, she partnered with students and local elementary schools as a part of HSC-308 Community Engagement led by Gail Dadio, an adjunct professor in the School of Health Sciences.

In this course, students can choose to work with Grgurich and learn about beekeeping and maintaining beehives, as well as the importance of bees as they relate to one's health and our ecosystem. 

“They learn about bees and beekeeping and the importance of pollinators and how they help our health. And then the students will present that to elementary school students in the community,” said Grgurich.

Previously the students have visited Bear Path Elementary School and Spring Glen Elementary School — both in Hamen — to present "Don’t Bee Afraid" to the students.

"Don’t Bee Afraid" is just one part of Grgurich’s efforts and plans to help grow and sustain the bees on campus. Grgurich not only works with students to help harvest honey each season, but is also working to help students start a bee club on campus this year. With a focus on educating students about bees and beekeeping alongside sustainability.

In the future, Grgurich would like the North Haven Campus to be recognized as a Pollinator-Friendly Campus. Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel Campus has been designated as a Pollinator-Friendly Garden, where pollinator gardens can be found.

The pollinator garden is a part of providing outreach and education on pollinator conservation while also allowing students, faculty and staff to discuss creating and enhancing the garden, ways of reducing pesticide usage and to plan outreach events.

Grgurich and the students involved currently work to maintain the beehives and surrounding environment to help the bees find the necessary resources needed to produce honey.

Earlier this month, Grgurich harvested about 70 pounds of honey from her hives on the campus. The two hives the university purchased are not mature enough to produce honey — yet. She is donating 15 pounds of this honey in 8 oz jars to Quinnipiac to be sold with the proceeds going back to the bees. She anticipates raising about $300 to further expand the initiative.

The honey will be known as "Quinni-bee-ac Honey" and will be sold til supplies last starting Monday, August 26. Those interested in the honey can purchase some in MNH-128 in the Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences building on the North Haven Campus. Honey can be purchased with cash or Venmo with 100% of the proceeds sold from the first 30 jars going back to the bees.