Contact
Office of Advancement & Alumni Relations
Blasco Hall
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
P 816-501-3602
Bailey Carr, Senior Director of Development
P 816-501-3780
E steerdinner@avila.edu
Steer Dinner & Auction
The Steer Dinner & Auction began in 1977 with the receipt of an American Royal Grand Champion steer to the University. S. Olive Louise Dallavis, CSJ, president emerita and founder of the Steer Dinner, used the gift to begin a fundraising effort that has raised more than $14 million in scholarship money.
2021 Steer Dinner & Auction
Avila University is happy to announce that the 45th annual Steer Dinner and Auction will be held virtually on Saturday, February 6, 2021.
Greg Kratofil, Jr. and Kristin Kratofil are serving as honorary chairs of what will prove to be an exciting and fun filled evening with the Avila family, both near and far, in this virtual format.
More details will be available soon.
Your sponsorship support is critical to Avila University students. All money raised at the 44th annual Steer Dinner and Auction will benefit Avila University student scholarships, and enable students to fulfill their dream of a values-based college education.
How to Become a Sponsor
Please submit your sponsor commitment form at your earliest convenience to ensure that you receive all the benefits associated with your sponsorship. You may choose to submit payment at the time of commitment, or request an invoice for payment at a later date. To be included in the event program, sponsorship commitments must be made by January 15, 2021.
Questions regarding sponsorship may be directed to Bailey Carr, bailey.carr@avila.edu or 816-501-3780.
For the sixth consecutive year, Avila University raised more than $1 million toward student scholarships during an energetic 44th annual Steer Dinner and Auction on February 1 at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott.
Impactful speeches and a video emphasized the importance of the evening for students who have the opportunity to receive a higher education thanks to the generosity of donors.
In addition to celebrating the Avila family, nearly 600 alumni, Sisters of St. Joseph, friends, faculty emeriti, faculty, staff members, students and friends of the University showed up in their finest red and gold attire to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs the evening before their win in Super Bowl LIV.
Greg Kratofil, Jr. and Kristin Kratofil were the 2020 event chairs, and Tricia ’00 and Kevin Lyon were the honorary chairs.
The S.O.L.D. Fund is named in honor of S. Olive Louise Dallavis, CSJ, president emerita and founder of the Steer Dinner and Auction. Forty-two years after founding the Steer Dinner, S. Olive’s legacy continues today. The S.O.L.D. Fund supports annual scholarships for Avila students. With more than $13 million awarded annually in Avila scholarships and 98% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid, your support is important now, more than ever.
In 1977, the Steer Dinner started with the gift of an American Royal Grand Champion Steer (named Jimmy C.), a Sister and a plan.
When Jimmy C. was donated by several area businessmen to S. Olive Louis Dallavis, then president of Avila, she needed to turn the gift into cash. The school cafeteria was moderately decorated, tables set and steaks served. Since the first dinner 42 years ago, alumni, family and friends have contributed more than $12 million in scholarship money – assuring that 98% of Avila undergraduate students receive financial assistance.