Month: October 2018

OLLU will host the national conference, “Holding up the Mirror: 50^th Anniversary of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Hearing on Mexican Americans in the Southwest,” Nov. 15-17.

The conference will examine the past as well as the progress of civil rights for Latinos since the landmark hearing, held at OLLU in 1968, and explore the path forward for all Latino populations in the United States.

This conference will include more than 24 sessions and roundtable discussions featuring the country’s top scholars and activists. Session and discussion topics include:

• Housing
• Education
• Immigration
• Political participation
• Administration of justice
• Employment
• Economics
• Voting rights

Additional events include:

• 50 Years Later: A Conversation with former San Antonio Mayors and HUD Secretaries, Julián Castro and Henry Cisneros
  Friday, Nov. 16 – 9:30 a.m. – Thiry Auditorium
  The event will be moderated by Congressman Joaquín Castro
• A Celebration of Progress
  Friday, Nov. 16 – 5:30 p.m. – Main Building, Front Walk
  Join us for a cultural reception featuring food, music, performances and readings from some of San Antonio’s renowned authors and poets.

Performances by:

• El Pachuco Boogie Dance Company
• URBAN-15

Readings by:

• Octavio Quintanilla, PhD, OLLU associate professor of English and San Antonio Poet Laureate
• Carmen Tafolla, PhD, inaugural San Antonio Poet Laureate and former Texas Poet Laureate
• Gregg Barrios, playwright, poet and journalist
• Anel Flores, MFA, author, activist and artist
• John Phillip Santos, author, producer, journalist and filmmaker

The entire conference is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged. For more information and to register, visit www.50yearslater.org.

OLLU President Emerita Sister Elizabeth Anne Sueltenfuss, CDP, PhD, has been recognized as a pioneer among Texas women and will be inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony in January at the Governor’s Mansion.

Sister Sueltenfuss, who passed away in 2009, is among seven Texas women recognized for outstanding achievement and for changing the course of history. As president of OLLU in 1978, Sister Sueltenfuss was one of the first women to head a Texas university. She opened the doors of higher education for first-generation college students, working adults and other underserved communities.

“The Texas Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates remarkable Texas women not only for their individual achievements, but also for their contributions to the strength of the Lone Star State, and I am honored to welcome these seven accomplished women as this year’s inductees,” said Governor Greg Abbott.

Other 2018 inductees include Former First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Judith Zaffirini, Susan Dell, Captain Tammie Jo Shults, Vikki Carr and Simone Biles.

Learn more about the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame online.

Early voting is underway in Texas and members of the OLLU community have the opportunity to receive a free ride to the polls to cast their votes. The Law and Politics Society is sponsoring rides to the polls Oct. 22, 25 and 29.

The OLLU van will leave from the visitor parking lot in front of Main Building at 12:30 p.m. This opportunity is open to students, staff, faculty and community members. Be sure to bring valid ID in order to vote.

Early voting ends Nov. 2. For those who do not vote early, election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

OLLU’s annual Halloween tradition continues with Boo Bash and Lake-o-Ween as little ghouls, goblins, superheroes and princesses descend upon campus. These community events will offer plenty of family friendly fun in a safe environment.

The events will begin at 6 p.m. in Library Circle and Centennial Courtyard. The event will feature games, activities, a cupcake walk, free snacks and trick-or-treating in the residence halls.

The events are free and open to the public.