Charles Martin Wender to serve as commencement speaker during ceremonies Saturday at Freeman Coliseum

Charles Martin Wender, prominent San Antonio real estate developer, will serve as commencement speaker when OLLU confers degrees for more than 300 graduate and undergraduate students during commencement ceremonies on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Freeman Coliseum.

Wender’s real estate development projects in San Antonio include the premier and award-winning 3,500 acre Westover Hills master-planned, mixed use development; home to Sea World of Texas, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort Hotel, Arthur Hill Championship Golf Course, QVC Network, Inc., and dozens of other vital businesses. He also developed Fawn Meadow in the Medical Center, Crownridge at IH-10 West and Camp Bullis Road, and Oak Run in New Braunfels.

Wender is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations in the community, including being the 2002 chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council. He was a member of “Team Toyota” that helped lure Toyota to San Antonio to build its North American Assembly Plant. He is also on the University of Texas at San Antonio and University of Texas Health Science Center Development Boards and served on the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. His achievements have led to him being selected as one of the “Top 100 Developers” in the nation by “Real Estate Times,” and being appointed to the Texas Economic Development Commission by former Gov. Mark White.

Graduation celebrations and preparations begin Friday with Ring Blessing and Graduation Liturgy.  The following is the schedule of events:

Friday

Ring Blessing – 3 p.m. – Sacred Heart Chapel
Students will have the opportunity to have their graduation rings individually blessed by OLLU Chaplain Fr. Kevin Fausz, CM.

Reception – 3:30 p.m. – Chapel Auditorium
Graduates and their guests are invited to a reception following the Ring Blessing.

Graduation Liturgy – 5 p.m. – Sacred Heart Chapel
Graduating students and their families and friends are invited to celebrate Mass. Graduates put on their graduation hoods during the ceremony.

Saturday

Commencement Ceremonies – 11 a.m. – Freeman Coliseum located at 3201 E. Houston Street, 78219 – Check in for graduates begins at 9:30 a.m. Graduates should arrive no later than 10 a.m.

Pre-sale parking tickets are available for $3 in the Student Life Office located in Providence Hall, Room 104. Parking at the Coliseum is $5.

OLLU charm available
An Our Lady of the Lake University charm featuring an image of the Main Building is now available. The sterling silver charm is the perfect graduation gift. It is available for $50 through the Institutional Advancement Office in Moye Hall, Room 108. The charm was created by South Texas artist Jim Morris. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Proceeds from the sale of the charms will go to The Lake Fund.

For more information, contact Alex Garcia at 210-434-6711, ext. 3955.