Fr. Alvarez, member of the Class of 1982, graduated in the top 10 of his class. In his senior year, Fr. Alvarez was nominated to West Point and the Air Force Academy, but chose, instead, to accept a four year scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, Alvarez took advantage of several opportunities to study abroad, attending the University of Mexico in Mexico City, the University of Cairo in Egypt, and in Jerusalem.

Alvarez went on to earn a MBA and worked in the marketing field for five years before he was called to the priesthood. He studied in the Seminary at Conception, MO and St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. Alvarez was ordained June 1, 2001.