Dear <Firstname>:
Le plus. “The more.” It is a theme that winds its way through Avila’s past and present, passed down from the University’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. It is a call to always try to do more. Whatever you do, do it the best that you can. There is a component of growth in le plus, and an aspect of excellence.
As provost emerita, I have seen Avila grow and evolve in the nearly 50 years I have been a part of the University, first as a faculty member, then as provost, and now as a member of the Board of Trustees. One of my greatest accomplishments was to hire faculty members who had a strong commitment to their students. They needed to be excellent educators and scholars who valued spending quality time with their students. I know numerous stories of faculty going out of their way to help a student succeed, both in the classroom and outside of it.
In meeting the needs of the dear neighbor, Avila does not just serve its students, it serves the Kansas City community as well. With more than 60 percent of Avila alumni staying in the metro after graduation, our graduates are an important and valuable resource for the region.
Generous people like you make the education and preparation an Avila student receives possible. Dedicated professors and hard-working students are just the beginning; to truly succeed, our students need the resources outside the classroom to let their gifts shine. Tutoring, internships, writing workshops and current technology are just a few of the assets we provide our students with support from alumni and friends like you.
But I’ll go back to le plus. An Avila education is already distinct – what more can we do to make it exceptional? Please consider a gift of <$X> or more today. Your gift will not just help support Avila students, it will be a valuable investment in the future of our community.
Sincerely,
Marie J. H., Trustee