Owing to its continued growth as a comprehensive institution of higher learning during the 1990s, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, Avila became, in 2002, Avila University. Since its founding in 1916, Avila University has been committed to excellence in teaching and learning in an environment that respects the uniqueness of each person and stresses responsi- ble service to others. Avila University Campus Avila University is just minutes off an interstate highway network and is convenient to Kansas City’s  many  attractions.  Its  fourteen  buildings  are  situated  on  50  acres  in  suburban  South Kansas City and include residence halls; a fieldhouse; a sports complex for baseball, softball and soccer; the library; theatre; chapel and classroom facilities. Campus Buildings/Centers Blasco Hall (1963) Administrative Offices, Admissions, and the Student Resource Center. O’Rielly Hall (1963) Primary academic building with science laboratories, computer classrooms, lecture hall and classrooms. Carondelet Hall (1965) Residence Hall and computer laboratory. Marian Center (1965) Student Center with cafeteria, lounges, student government offices and bookstore. Foyle Hall (1967) Residence Hall for the Sisters of St. Joseph. Also houses the Orscheln Memorial Chapel, Schools of Education and Psychology. Ridgway Hall (1970) Residence Hall Hodes Education Centre (1973) Houses the Child Care Center, and Montessori classrooms. Goppert Theatre/Borserine Nurse Education Centre (1974) Theatre with thrust stage and seating capacity of 500, the McKeon Performance Studio and Music rooms. Borserine Centre houses the College of Humanities andPerforming Arts, the School of Nursing, classrooms, lounges and learning laboratory for nursing students and faculty. Hooley-Bundschu Library (1978) The Library houses  several computers dedicated to research databases, a collection of print periodicals, a reference and circulating collection of materials as well as a computer lab. Whitfield Center (1978) Houses the Business Division, the Avila Advantage program, classrooms, the Whitfield Conference Centre and the Thornhill Art Gallery. AVILA UNIVERSITY 8