(April 26, 2017) KANSAS CITY, MO – David Armstrong, CSJA, has served Avila University for over 15 years as Director of Mission Effectiveness and Campus Ministry. For his dedicated service to the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) and his generosity and contributions to the betterment of society, Armstrong will receive the Generosity of St. Joseph Honor at the 11th annual gala to be held on April 28 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Avila President Ron Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA, credits Armstrong for his strong faith and invaluable leadership. “Dave was chosen for his ability to enable others to assume a more active responsibility for continuing the mission of Jesus and for his care for creation,” Slepitza said. “When it comes to the many efforts at Avila to help our students, faculty and staff, and alumni to not only more deeply understand the mission; but to live it in their lives, Dave has been a source of inspiration and commitment.”
The annual Generosity of Joseph Honor publicly acknowledges and celebrates those whose generosity positively influences and contributes to the betterment of society and encourages others by example to practice life-altering generosity.
Armstrong became one of the first CSJ associates on the Avila University campus in 2007 and has fervently championed the efforts to help faculty, staff and students to live the Avila mission. He was named an honorary alumnus in 2009 and received the Avila University Medal of Honor in 2013.
Armstrong built the campus ministry program on the Avila campus. He spearheads all areas of ministry, spirituality, justice and Catholic relief services. Recently, Armstrong helped to secure a million dollar commitment over the next ten years to support the William and Jean Buchanan Peace and Social Justice Initiative. The program assists with deepening students’ understanding of peace and social justice issues in both intellectual and service oriented efforts.
In addition to these roles, Armstrong also leads service immersion trips, mission activities, Eucharistic activities and engages with the Avila community each day. He especially helps students with their faith journey, thus influencing the next generation to be defenders of human dignity, healers and reconcilers, seekers of justice, and caretakers of the poor – just as St. Joseph and the Sisters before him.
The 2017 Generosity of Joseph Honors Gala will be held Friday, April 28 at the St. Louis Province Motherhouse.
Avila University, a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a values-based community of learning providing liberal arts, professional, undergraduate and graduate education to prepare students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community. Our approach to education brings out the best in our students, so they can bring out the best in others.