The university is in the midst of a $14 million capital campaign to build a new residence hall, renovate the existing residence halls, expand the school of nursing, upgrade academic and technology programs, provide campus enhancements and increase endowed scholarship funds.

The challenge grant to help raise those funds is for one year, and Avila must meet its terms and conditions by July 2006, Gordon said.

Ground will be broken for the new suite-style residence hall soon, said Jessie Fuller, capital campaign director. "Suite-style dormitories are what students are demanding," she said.

"Avila's two existing residence halls were built in the 1960's and need upgrading and updating," she added.

Gordon said the real core students at the university are the residential students. "We're in a real push to improve student life. Athletics, a new bookstore, upgraded programs and facilities and, of course, a new residence hall will invite more students to live on campus. This is a great location. There's plenty of parking, easy access to shopping and entertainment. We are gearing this new residence hall to juniors and seniors, as a kind of reward for living on campus," he said.

Gordon said the four corners of the campus will be defined by monument signs bearing the name, "Avila University."

As part of the campus enhancement, Avila will be working with the National Park Service and Kansas City officials to incorporate the segment of the historic Santa Fe Trail that skirts the southern edge of the campus into a 6-foot-wide walking and jogging trail.

"There's a story that a blacksmith livery was on the corner of where Wornall and Santa Fe Trail Roads intersect," Fuller said. "The blacksmith supposedly tossed rejected horseshoes out the door, and there may be some of them still on the grounds. A kind of metal detector will be used to discover their whereabouts, if there are any here. Wouldn't that be exciting, to find that bit of history still here?" she said.

Fuller said the university hopes to complete the fund raising and capital improvements within 18 months.

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