The front of Blasco Hall will have a new look in the near future. It will soon be
transformed into the Jeanne Hamilton Olofson Plaza. Olofson, who received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Avila, recently gave a $500,000 leadership gift to Avila for the new plaza.

This generous gift will allow Avila to begin construction on the new “front door” in the summer of ‘08. The plaza will feature four-season landscaping, seating/reflective areas, pavestones, and will become a primary gathering spot on campus.The plans also feature a glassawning over the main entrance to Blasco Hall and cascading fountains on each side of the new main staircase.

“Jeanne Olofson is a long time supporter of Avila and, with this gift, really represents a modern day founder of the University,” said Avila President Ron Slepitza. She currently serves on the Avila Board of Trustees and is a member of the advancement committee.

Olofson knows the importance of creating a good first impression with prospective students and their families, believing that the “front door” should reflect the quality of the education that students receive from Avila.

The only request of Olofson was to “please ensure that the flagpoles still make that clanging sound in the wind. When I hear that, I know I am home. We can’t sacrifice that historic sound,” Olofson said. AU The proposed Jeanne Hamilton Olofson Plaza located in front of Blasco Hall, will include cascading fountains.