Steer - Avila University

Steer - Avila University
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The 50th Anniversary Steer Dinner!
March 21, 2026
SOLD OUT!
The Steer Dinner is Avila University’s signature fundraising event, supporting students in need. Your participation directly helps students overcome financial barriers, pursue their academic goals, and shape their futures.
This event is more than a celebration—it’s an investment in the potential of our students and their impact on their communities. Together, we can make their dreams of earning a college degree a reality, empowering them to create lasting change for themselves and others.
Honorary Chairs:
Event Chairs:
Jaime Bluma
Tom and Jean McDonnell
Brian McRae
Wendy and Dean Guillies
The 50th Annual Steer Dinner is currently SOLD OUT. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for this event, please contact
Megan Williams
, 816.501.3793.
If you would like to donate or participate in the silent auction please see the links below.
I cannot come, but I’d like to donate
Auction Listing
What does my participation support?
Your presence at the Steer Dinner directly changes lives. Every ticket purchased and every bid placed helps Avila students overcome financial barriers that stand between them and their dreams. Together, we’re not just funding education, we’re investing in future leaders who will transform their communities and create ripple effects of positive change for generations to come.
What’s included in my ticket?
Your ticket includes valet parking, cocktail hour, dinner, access to the silent auction, live auction, and live entertainment by
Annie Up
Is parking provided?
Yes! Valet parking is included with all purchased tickets.
What is the dress code?
We’re embracing elegant “cowboy chic”—think tailored jackets, bolo ties, long skirts, or dressy boots with a touch of Western charm. Since the celebration takes place on dirt terrain, we encourage stylish yet sturdy footwear.
How do I purchase tickets or sponsorships?
Visit Avila Steer Tickets to purchase tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities. For sponsorship questions or requests,
please contact Megan Williams at 816.501.3793 or email
megan.williams@avila.edu
I can’t attend, but I’d like to support the event. How can I donate?
We appreciate your support! You can make a
donation directly
or contact the Advancement Office at 816.501.3793
Will there be a live auction?
Yes! The energy in the room rises, and the competition gets exciting with your chance to win one-of-a-kind experiences, exclusive packages, and unforgettable opportunities. Every paddle raised makes a difference and directly supports our mission, so bid boldly, bid often, and be part of the fun.
Steer Dinner’s silent auction kicks off online at noon on March 13!
You can start bidding early, then keep the excitement going in person during the VIP Reception at 5:00 PM.
The auction remains open until 8:30 PM, so you’ll have plenty of time to compete for your favorite items.
We’re also bringing back a fan-favorite tradition: select items will feature classic paper bid sheets at the auction tables. Stop by, browse the packages up close, and place your bids the old-fashioned way!
Is hotel accommodation available?
Yes! The
Westin Kansas City at Crown Center is offering a discounted rate of $193.00 per night (plus applicable taxes and fees). To receive this rate, click the link or mention Avila University when booking before Friday, February 20, 2026
Who are the event chairs and honorary chairs?
We’re honored to have Jaime Bluma and Brian McRae as Honorary Chairs, Tom and Jean McDonnell, and Wendy and Dean Guillies serving as our Event Chairs.
When and where is the event?
The 50th Anniversary Steer Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the
American Royal Complex (Upper Exhibition Hall, 1701 American Royal Ct., Kansas City, MO 64102)
What time does the event start?
VIP early entry begins at 5:00 PM, with cocktail hour and silent auction starting at 5:45 PM. Dinner and the program begin at 6:30 PM.
Who may I contact with additional questions? For sponsorship or additional inquiries,
please contact Megan Williams at 816.501.3793
or email at
megan.williams@avila.edu
Sponsorship Levels
For all sponsorship requests or question, please contact
Megan Williams
816.501.3793
Parking & Driving Instructions
Please park in
Lot A
, located around the right side of the main building.
Complimentary valet service
will be available for all guests inside
Lot A
Enter the event through the
Livestock Gate
(see directions below).
From the Northwest (St. Joseph):
Take I-29 South to I-635 South.
Take I-635 South to I-70 East.
Take I-70 East to I-670 East.
Take the
Genessee/Wyoming/Hy-Vee Arena exit
and turn right on
Genessee
From the Northeast (Iowa, Liberty, MO):
Take I-35 South to I-70 East (½ mile).
Take I-70 East to I-670 West (1 mile).
Take the
Genessee exit
and turn left on
Genessee
From the West:
Take I-70 East to I-670 East.
Exit at
Genessee
and turn right.
From the East:
Take I-70 West to I-670 West.
Exit at
Wyoming/Genessee/Hy-Vee Arena
and turn left on
Genessee
From the South:
Take I-35 North to I-670 West.
Exit at
Wyoming/Genessee/Hy-Vee Arena
and turn left on
Genessee
Directions to the Livestock Gate
Follow signage on
Genessee
as you approach Hy-Vee Arena.
Turn west onto
State Line Road
from Genessee.
State Line Road will immediately curve south.
Please note: There are several road and ramp closures as you arrive in Kansas City, so please allow extra travel time.
Schedule
5:00 PM             VIP
(early entry)
Reception and Early Silent Auction Viewing
5:45 PM             Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction
6:30 PM             Dinner and Program
Live Auction
Live Music by
Annie Up
Location
American Royal Complex
Upper Exhibition Hall
1701 American Royal Ct.
Kansas City, MO 64102
Valet Parking will be included with all purchased tickets
Accommodations
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
Discounted Rate: $193.00
Click here or Mention Avila University when booking before Friday, February 20, 2026, to receive the discounted rate.
Hotel Room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (Currently 18.475%) in effect at the time of checkout, plus a Kansas City Development Fee of $3.00 plus tax per night ($3.55 inclusive of tax).
Attire
Think elegant ‘cowboy chic:’ Tailored jackets, bolo ties, long skirts, or dressy boots. A touch of cowboy charm.
The 50th celebration will be held on dirt terrain, so stylish, yet sturdy footwear is encouraged.
The 50th Anniversary Steer Dinner
Date: March 21, 2026
American Royal Complex Upper Exhibition Hall
5:45pm
Contact
Office of Advancement & Alumni Relations
Attn: Megan Williams
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
P 816-501-3793
steerdinner@avila.edu
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Steer
Homecoming & Alumni Reunion
Avila Athletics Golf Scramble
50 Years of Impact: Stories of Giving That Transform Student Lives
Transcript
Steer has had an impact on multiple families across multiple generations. I think the Steer Dinner will always have its place in Avila. Steer is such a celebration of the university and I think that that is part of it. It’s so energizing — the history behind it and the enthusiasm in the room.
Whenever I was a student here, I didn’t feel like I knew too much about Steer, but I knew it was a big event for Avila. And now being a professional here, Steer is like our big event.
Steer is really the only event that brings alums, donors, people who have just heard about Avila, students, faculty, staff. It’s our major fundraiser. Oh, it’s massive. I mean, I would say there’s probably not another event that’s more important than Steer.
You can see it in the everyday scholarships. For me personally, every single day I see it. We’re able to give money to students who might not have gotten money at other institutions. And it’s something special, honestly, being able to tell a kid that he can go to school when previously he might not have been able to go due to financial limitations.
When Sister Olive Louise took over the university, she was trying to figure out how to take the next step — always short of fundraising. And to grow the college you either have to grow a lot of tuition students or you have to get outside money. And so she was trying to learn how to raise funds like Rockhurst and other places did. She began just working the business community on her own, without appointment, knock on the door, asked for me. If I wasn’t available she would wait sometimes four hours, and she would ask me questions about the community and how things were accomplished.
And when I went to that American Royal event, a group of businessmen formed a syndicate to buy the American Royal Grand Champion. And they did that in order to get the animal a higher price so that people would continue to bring them and try and win the contest. And as an ancillary thought, they had — what would we do with this thing once we get it? One of them said, “Well, let’s give it to that Sister Olive Louise — she keeps coming by.” This got publicity in the paper and so forth. The nuns, the convent wasn’t going to eat it and we weren’t going to serve it in the cafeteria, and so she decided she would give it away and somebody said, “Well, you ought to auction it at least.”
I always think things start small. It’s really a matter of being present and realizing the opportunities that are often there that we don’t see. And I think when Sister Olive Louise, who was so passionate about this university, saw that opportunity, she grabbed it — not quite knowing what to do with a steer — but found a way to turn it into success for a good cause.
I want to make sure everyone knows how important their support of Steer Dinner is because it directly affects our students. There’s no question that higher education is expensive, not only to run an institution of higher education but for students to realize their dreams of an Avila degree. There’s a financial impact that is visible on the campus and in the student body size, and the growth of the university and the culture I’ve noticed has just grown every single year in positive ways — the improvements we’ve made throughout the university itself, the amazing artwork we’ve put up recently.
I’m very grateful to the people that donate because they’re not just donating money, they’re impacting me and my friends around me. That’s what brought me here to Avila.
They need a little bit of help like we all did. I did. I was lucky to have gotten a scholarship myself and that scholarship came from Steer.
We do such a great job, this institution, with living our mission. And that comes through with faculty, staff, students who may not understand the mission of the university, but they come here and they learn about it and they begin to live the mission of the university. And I think that one of those pieces is promoting access to all students and to anyone that wants to receive a bachelor’s degree.
When people come to Steer Dinner, when they support Steer Dinner, they’re coming for a fun evening, but that is also supporting our mission of higher education, education without limits, and love of the dear neighbor.
When I look at the next 50 years, I don’t think that that is going to go away. I think that that educational piece impacts a student not only during their years at Avila from a growth capacity, but also again through finding a career that they enjoy and then being able to build upon that career.
You might realize how impactful this is, but it’s double what you might originally think. I mean, looking at a student in the eyes and telling them that we’re going to be able to help them is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. And I truly have no part in that. So that’s why I say thank you.
But they can’t do it without you. They’re counting on our support to help them. So let me give you a profile of the typical Avila student. More than 50% of our students are traditional daytime students, but they also work a part-time job up to 20 hours per week. And 40% of our students are also college athletes with a small athletic scholarship — all of this just to make ends meet, just to pay for their education. 93% of our students receive federal funding to attend Avila, and 50% receive subsidized aid.
Student 1:
My mom was a single mom. She’s like my rock, my favorite person in the whole world. And then my brothers too — I have a 9-year-old brother and he has autism, so he’s also like a huge motivating factor in my life. I just want them to see their big sister doing big things and I want them to know that they can do big things too. I pay for college on my own, so I was like there’s no way I’m going to be able to go to this school, but I might as well tour it and see if I like it. On my tour I sort of fell in love with just like the atmosphere at Avila. It just felt like it clicked, it felt right, it felt good being on campus. And then I got my award letter from Avila and I saw how much they were actually going to help me. I’m planning to get my Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry. And so right now I’m actually doing my research capstone on the genetics behind Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, because I’m a CNA and I work in memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Student 2:
Then when I found Avila and then I found the dance program, it gave me hope to keep dancing after high school, because I’ve been dancing since I was 6 years old. Cindy gave me another chance to be able to dance after high school. She always leads by example and I love that about Olivia. And it’s not like she puts it in your face that she’s doing it — you know how some people can lecture you and tell you what to do — she doesn’t do that. She’s very subtle in the way she does it and she has a lot of humility. She just walks the walk, I think is probably the best way to say it about her. I’ve never had friendships like I’ve had with girls on the dance team.
Student 3:
Dr. Burgess — she is my mentor in research right now. She always tells me like, “You can do anything.” It’s sort of instilled in me that I have to — not that I have to, but I want to be able to do this for myself. I want to build my own legacy. My grandma, she’s real spiritual. She calls me and tells me a scripture and she’ll tell me, “Okay, what’s your favorite scripture?” And I’ll say Luke 1:37 — “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” It lit up her whole world. Like her eyes got bigger and it’s like you’re actually listening, you’re actually learning, and you’re taking God with you.
Student 4:
Yes, college is very expensive and I do come from low-income living. I didn’t grow up in the best part of town and my mom wanted me to get out of that so bad. I wouldn’t have been able to pay for college without a scholarship. Coach Alexander saw more potential in me than I saw in myself. It was my second chance — he gave me my second chance. He offered me a scholarship and I told my mom and she instantly started crying. My favorite professor is Regina Staves. She always helped me, she always made sure — “Okay, are you doing this, are you on top of your work, are you doing these things to help you graduate?”
Student 5:
He sits in the front of the class, he asks questions — when we ask a question of the class, he’s the one that answers. So he’s learning and he’s growing and that has been a nice thing to see. He hasn’t been just “I’m going to get through this, check the boxes, and then move on to something else.” He’s really engaged in the educational experience here.
Student 6:
Being a student athlete consumes a lot of time so there’s not much time for a job. I wouldn’t have a degree, I wouldn’t be at the internship that I’m at now, I wouldn’t be preparing for a successful life without Avila, because they taught me how to do all those things. They’ve taught me how to keep going. I feel like that’s why I’m here and I’m alive today because college got me out.
Narrator:
And that is why we’re here tonight. Because all Avila students have a story to tell. They are all working hard to reach their potential and you can be a part of that story. You can make a difference. Your gifts have an impact. You can help make a difference in their story, helping them change their lives. This is your chance to be a part of their happily ever after, so that someday they can be sitting where you are and they can give back too. So thank you. Now let’s come together and raise our paddles for our students.
Here’s A Few Snapshots from Previous Years!
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