In front of nearly 4,000 guests, Sr. Olive Louise Dallavis, CSJ, Avila University president emerita, received an honorary doctorate at the commencement ceremony on Saturday May 12, 2007.

Sr. Olive Louise Dallavis, CSJ, received the honor at the conclusion of the 90th anniversary celebration for the university.  Sr. Olive began her valued commitment to Avila University 55 years ago.  From 1960-1985 she served as president, moving the campus from a shared space with St. Teresa’s Academy at 5500 Main to its present location at 119th and Wornall Rd.  Since the beginning of her career, Sr. Olive has not only been an invaluable asset to the university, but she has been a pioneer in Kansas City, raising philanthropic funds when it was unheard of for a woman to do so.  Many credit Sr. Olive as a mentor for her dedication and unwavering support to the fundraising efforts of Avila. 

Throughout her career she has received numerous awards and honors, but she credits this honor as “coming full circle.”  In 1960, Sr. Olive helped to write the by-laws for the University that outlined the powers of the president, ironically, one such power was the honorary doctorate. 

Avila University is a private, co-educational, values-based liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and is located at 119th and Wornall Rd in southwest suburban Kansas City, Mo.