Avila Now

January 11, 2022

Avila University Receives $1 Million Gift from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

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Avila University’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), have pledged $1,000,000 to the University. “The Sisters of St. Joseph have always been extremely generous with Avila,” said Avila President, Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA. “This unexpected gift will not only make an immediate impact to the University but help us live our mission of preparing lifelong learners who contribute to the global community in a meaningful way.”

In a letter to Slepitza, the CSJ St. Louis Province Board of Directors site the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on all of the CSJ sponsored educational institutions.

“All of our institutions needed to alter their normal ways of operating and had to enlist faculty and staff in ways they never thought imaginable,” said S. Jeanne Janssen, Province Board of Directors Member. “Yet you kept your missions and the CSJ charism before you and considered them in your decisions as each institution made many sacrifices.”

Along with Avila University, the Province made donations to Fontbonne University, St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Teresa’s Academy, and St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf. “As each institution is evaluating and continuing to adapt to serve the dear neighbor with an excellent education, we know that financial resources continue to be challenged,” said S. Janssen.

“This generous gift is belief in the hard work everyone at Avila is doing to help our students succeed. For more than 100 years, Avila’s mission has provided opportunities for students to earn an education regardless of financial means and with the support of the CSJs, that will continue for many years,” said Slepitza. “This level of support is a blessing.”

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