Month: November 2022

Saints finish 2022 campaign at NAIA National Cross-Country Championships

The men’s cross-country team took 27th place out of 34 teams in the 67th Annual NAIA Men’s Cross-Country National Championship at Apalachee Regional Park on Friday. The Saints recorded the best team finish in school history.

The Saints finished with a team score of 728 points in the 8k with a total time of 2:11.22 and an average of 26:16.

Head Coach Patrick Torres said, “There’s not a lot you can be upset about when you finish the best in school history. I think this squad will have a chance to be special in the years to come.”

OLLU’s Jose Zarate was the Saints’ top finisher with a 64th place finish of 318 runners. Zarate’s 25:11.6 time set the Saints highest individual finish ever at nationals. Next was Hendrick Ramirez, 200th place, with a time of 26:22.9. He was followed by Diego Moran with a time of 26:25.6, Jayden Turrubiates with a time of 26:35.5, JoseCarlos Hernandez with a time of 26:47.4, Jose Saucedo with a time of 26:48.9 and Kruz Malesich with a time of 27:18.7.

The women’s cross-country meet followed, and the team finished in 35th place out of 36 teams. OLLU completed the race with a team score of 1,018 points in the 5k. They had a total time of 1:43.07 and an average of 20:37.

Deandra Ibarra crossed the finish line first for the Saints in 176th place at 19:31. Viridiana Zuniga followed in 289th place with a time of 20:47.6. She was followed by Sierra Ramirez with a time of 20:48.8, Nadia Sifuentes with a time of 20:54.3, Robbie Sue Espericueta with a time of 21:06, Mia Curiel with a time of 21:10.8 and Kennedy Villalpando with a time of 21:19.5.

Torres addressed the women’s results saying, “We learned a lot about ourselves today and most of this group will be back to improve upon what we did this year.”

International Education Week celebration starts today 

International Education Week, which runs today through Friday, is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is an opportunity to highlight the value of global and cultural competencies skills for success in the 21st century.

Today, OLLU will celebrate the cultural richness and global perspective that international students bring to our campus with an International Education Week reception in the Moye Rotunda at 4:30 p.m. 

This event will honor our 32 international students from 20 countries and recognize the Moye Rotunda as an international presence on campus. OLLU President Abel A. Chávez will share remarks.  

The Student Government Association Congress selected Moye Rotunda for the flag display because of our Beloved John Martin Moye, who has international heritage from France. The flags on display in the Moye Rotunda reflect the various countries in which the current year’s students hold citizenship. 

The flag display may change each year, depending on the make-up of the student body. 

On Thursday, OLLU will host a virtual international prospective graduate students Information Session. For more information, contact Erica Jordan, OLLU Houston Graduate Admissions Counselor, at ejordan.ollusa.edu or sign up for the event online.

Stars of Blue Nation: hOLLUday Decorating set for tomorrow

The OLLU Community is invited to help prepare for the Advent/Christmas season by decorating our university campus with trees, wreaths, and blue poinsettias. The shape of the poinsettia flower and its leaves symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Wise Men to Jesus.

The decorating will take place on Tuesday from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Moye Rotunda, Sacred Heart Chapel, and in the Mall Area. After the decorating, a brief prayer service will be held at 6:45 p.m.in the Mall Area by the Sister Jane Ann Lamppost, followed by a free Thanksgiving dinner from 7-8 p.m. in the Saints’ Café.

All volunteers are encouraged to sign up by end of today using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/wZEKJL2Ht4

(attachment B: Stars of Blue Nation decorating)

Upcoming hOLLUday events 

hOLLUday Community Tree Decorating and Lighting
Decorating: Nov. 29 at Noon in the Mall Area
Blessing, Lighting, and Caroling: Nov. 29 at 5:15 p.m. in the Mall Area

87th Annual Candlelight Advent Prayer Service
Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel

Las Posadas
Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in front of Annunciation Chapel  

Inaugural two-part Ring Ceremony set for Wednesday and Thursday

Students, faculty and staff are invited to OLLU’s Inaugural Ring Ceremony. This two-part event begins on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with the “‘Ring’ the Bell” Ceremony.

Graduating students who have purchased an OLLU ring – along with guests – will gather in the plaza in front of Main Building for a procession to the front of Sacred Heart Chapel. The rings will be taken up to the bell tower, where they will spend the night while being guarded by OLLU police. The chapel bells will be rung eight times once the rings are secured for the night. Participants will enjoy refreshments and music.

On Thursday, graduates will receive their rings during the “Rings Up” ceremony in Thiry Auditorium. Faculty who would like to participate in the Ring Ceremony procession should wear regalia and gather at Walter Center at 6:45 p.m. Faculty and graduating students will process into the auditorium at 7 p.m. Graduating students will receive their rings during a short ceremony. A reception with light refreshments will be held in the Mall Area following the ceremony where graduates will be invited to dip their rings in the fountain for a special blessing.

Graduates will be able to take a photo in front of an eight-foot tall replica of the OLLU ring.

Special thanks to the Ring Ceremony sponsor Jostens, Inc.

Please let us know if you will be taking part in what we hope becomes a university tradition: RSVP online.

https://ollu.formstack.com/forms/ring_ceremony

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Longoria at elongoria@ollusa.edu

OLLU United Way Charitable Workplace Campaign ends on Friday

The OLLU United Way Charitable Workplace Campaign needs a strong surge to match last year’s participation and giving. In 2021, OLLU recorded a 42 percent participation rate and close to $23,000 in contributions. The current campaign status is at 24 percent participation with $9,200 in contributions.

The OLLU United Way campaign runs through Friday.

The donations that are made go right back into Bexar County/San Antonio neighborhoods, and more specifically, into the agencies chosen by donors. 

Support OLLU’s United Way Employee Charitable Campaign

  • Contributions support over 80 community agencies and focus areas. View the UW Impact-Guide-and-Partner Guide 2022.pdf
  • You have the option to designate your pledge to a specific Impact Partner on the E-Pledge drop down menu. 
  • United Way of San Antonio and Bexar county is one of the most efficient and effective nonprofits in the country

Employees are encouraged to make their donation online using the United Way E-Pledge portal:  www.giveuw.org/OLLU

  • Use your OLLU email as your log in and your employee ID# without any preceding zeros as your password
  • Once you have signed in, you will be asked to create a new password prior to making your donation
  • Pledge Options include:  Payroll Deduction, Credit/Debit Card, Check, or Direct Bill. 
  • Should you decide to use the payroll deduction option, your donation will begin on Jan. 1, 2023.
  • Be recognized by United Way for donations of $250 or higher — Emerging Leadership ($250-499) & Leadership Level ($500 or higher)
  • $25 Minimum donation to participate in weekly prize drawings

If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact the 2022 OLLU United Way Campaign Chairs — Mary Scotka at mscotka@ollusa.edu or Victor Salazar at vmsalazar@ollusa.edu

Congratulations to our Nov. 11 Prize Winners

  • Kelly Roberts Cooper, Leadership Studies Faculty – Spurs Tickets
  • Nicole Monsibais, Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator – Navy OLLU Baseball Jersey  
  • Ida Perez, Executive Assistant President’s Office – Diana’s Burgers Dinner for 2 gift package
  • Catherine Fragoso, Director Center for Student Involvement – $25 Chartwell Dining gift card
  • Henry Ornelas, Payroll Manager – $25 Chartwell Dining gift card

Next Prize Drawings include 20+ Incentive Prizes valued at over $1,000

Friday, Nov. 18

  • Spurs Tickets
  • Morgan’s Wonderland Inspiration Island Park 4 pass-pack
  • Hyatt Resort Golf Packages (2 packs-each valued at $270)
  • Go Rio Narrated San Antonio River Cruise (2 tickets)    
  • 6 Chartwell gift card (value $25 each)
  • 5 Regal Movie gift card (value $20 each)
  • Diana’s Burgers Dinner for 2 and Diana’s T-Shirt (value $50)
  • HTO Tea Prize Pack (value $50)
  • Saint Swag Packs, and more. 

Flu vaccine and/or Bivalent COVID-19 booster clinic coming Friday

A Bivalent Covid-19 Booster and/or Flu vaccine clinic will come to UWAC, Room 104 on Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The clinic is courtesy of UT Health Confianza.

The Covid -19 vaccine is free and no insurance is required. Please bring an image of current COVID Vaccination(s).

If you need the primary (monovalent) vaccination, check out www.vaccine.gov for locations.

A flu vaccine will require current health insurance. No cash pay. Plan to bring a photo ID.

We are limited to 75 vaccines so please register if interested: 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7XzkeHpiIkyB6GGeADMbGqbpBa0VhuFCnUW_JV_p1rdUOERMUjBMNkk1QzFCWEpBWUdSM1RTU1VPUy4u

Live classical music returns to OLLU with two upcoming concerts

Live classical music will return to OLLU with free concerts scheduled for Thursday and Sunday. 

First, the University Choir Fall Concert will feature student conductors Joyce Robinson and Sister Cherilly Galley on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Annunciation Chapel. The choir will be accompanied by Mary Ann Winden on organ and John Roberts on piano.

Second, Alamo City Arts will present The Heart of Texas Concert Band, featuring an OLLU professor and staff member performing “Classics 2022” on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Thiry Auditorium.

The all-volunteer band includes Jessica Hajek, PhD, Assistant Professor of Music, on clarinet and Coby Heimann, Residence Life coordinator, on alto sax.

The “Classics 2022” concert will be a performance of Hector Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Felix Mendelssohn, Konzertstück nr. 1, Percy Grainger, Lincolnshire Posy and Gilbert & Sullivan, The Gondoliers

For more information, contact Jessic Hajek at jchajek@ollusa.edu or call 210-528-7082.

Thanksgiving hours set for OLLU dining 

During the week of Thanksgiving, starting Nov. 19 and continuing through Nov. 27, the hours for OLLU dining will be as follows:  

Sister Annie B’s Cafeteria
Nov. 19 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nov. 20 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nov. 21 – 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 – 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nov. 23 through Nov. 27 – Closed

Saints, Starbucks, and 24th Street Subs 
Nov. 19-Nov. 27 – Closed (Sub shop hours may be altered depending on home games during the break)

C-Store
Open 24/7

Senior capstone presentations set for this week

Biliterate Certificate Program senior presentations will be held today, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30-1:35 p.m. in Main Building, Room 225. Presentations will be in Spanish.

Presenting today will be Juan J. Ramirez (Biology and Psychology), Regina Velasquez (Communication Sciences and Disorders) and Selene Macías (Psychology). On Wednesday, the presenters will be Brianda G. Zárate (Sociology) and Marian Zárate (Criminology and Criminal Justice).

The presenter on Friday will be Amanda García (Social Service-Social Work).

For more information, contact Professor Maribel Lárraga at mlarraga@ollusa.edu

StudyCon set for Wednesday

StudyCon offers students a holistic approach to preparing for exams by providing services and strategies for intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth. It includes massage therapy, emotional support dogs, yoga, meditation, art, music, prayer, food, and games, as well as interactive study tip sessions, wellness sessions, tutoring in math, statistics, accounting, and science, writing consulting, mental health support, and a prayer wall.

StudyCon will be held on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. on the first floor of the Sueltenfuss Library.

Pizza, tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

To register, use the QR code in the attachment below.

For more information, email: writing@ollunewsletter1895

StudyConDownload