Month: February 2025

OLLU International Folk Culture Center Hosts Scholar Niurca Márquez

The OLLU International Folk Culture Center is honored to host Niurca Márquez, a renowned religious studies and dance scholar, for a series of engaging events exploring identity, ritual, and movement. Márquez, a Latinx artist and activist, is known for her work on cultural memory, resistance, and the intersection of religion and the body.

Upcoming Events:

🗓 February 24 | 5:30–7 PM | Plática: Dance As Resistance
 Márquez will discuss her research on the Arará of Cuba and the role of ritual as a living archive, sharing insights from resistance theatre and Flamenco practices.

🗓 February 25 | 3:30–5 PM | MARC Ballroom | Presentation: Sacred Dance/Sacred Ritual
 An exploration of sacred dance within global religious traditions, examining how cultural, political, and historical events shape these practices and their connection to worship.

🗓 February 28 | 6–8 PM | MARC Ballroom | Movement Workshop: Writing Our Body’s History
 A hands-on workshop guiding participants through somatic practices that reveal how the body records and expresses personal and cultural histories.

All events are free and open to the community.

Register Here

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Niurca Márquez and explore the powerful connections between movement, identity, and ritual!

Spring 2025 Event on Wednesday: Don’t Get Wrecked…Get Midterm Prepped!!

Stop by our Spring 2025 Midterm Prep event, Don’t Get Wrecked…Get Midterm Prepped!!

  • Wednesday, February 26, from 11:30-1:30 pm
  • Renaissance Parlor Rooms

At Midterm Prep, students will meet people who support their academic success, learn about spaces on campus that will nurture their minds and hearts, and gather some practical study tools for their upcoming exams. Midterm Prep emphasizes learning more about your personal learning style in order to improve your academic success.

OLLU Sueltenfuss Library Hosts “Alonso S. Perales: Civil Rights Trailblazer” Exhibit

The Sueltenfuss Library proudly presents “Alonso S. Perales: Civil Rights Trailblazer,” an exhibition by the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI). This exhibit highlights the life and legacy of Alonso S. Perales (1898-1960)—a civil rights lawyer, U.S. diplomat, and public intellectual who played a pivotal yet often overlooked role in American history.

Alongside MACRI’s exhibit, the Sueltenfuss Library also presents:

Legacy in Motion: Creatively Interpreting Alonso Perales’ Legacy for a New Generation

Curated by the library, this showcase features historical photographs alongside creative projects developed by OLLU students reflecting on Perales’ impact on Mexican American civil rights. Highlights include:

  • “A Legacy in Linocut” – This exhibit showcases a series of linocut prints created by students in OLLU’s Visual & New Media Arts printmaking course to honor the legacy of Alonso S. Perales. Led by Dr. Suzy González, the works reflect artistic interpretations of Perales’ impact and contributions.
  • “A Geographic Timeline: Alonso Perales’ Life-Long Legacy of Justice & Equality” – This interactive, bilingual multimedia presentation, created by students in Dr. Kim Kennedy’s Reading Comprehension course (EDUC), explores key moments in Perales’ lifelong fight for justice and equality.
  • “Explorando El Legado de Alonso Perales: Hands-On Learning Activities” – Designed for students, this interactive experience enhances the Perales exhibit with engaging, hands-on activities for school-aged children. It was developed by students in Dr. Kim Kennedy’s undergraduate and graduate education courses.
  • “Perales in Photos” – A photographic display curated by The Sueltenfuss Library, featuring images courtesy of Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage, Arte Público Press, University of Houston.

Special Events will be held at the library on Tuesday, March 4th, and Thursday, March 20th. See flyer for details.

Sponsors & Special Thanks:  Sueltenfuss Library, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Worden School of Social Service, Center for Mexican American Studies and Research, Congregation of Divine Providence, OLLU’s Visual & New Media Arts Program, OLLU’s Education Department, Mexican American Civil Rights Institute, Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage, Arte Público Press, University of Houston.

For questions or comments on the Alonso S. Perales exhibit or special events, please contact the library at library@ollusa.edu.

ASP_Flyer_Two_Events_2_20_25_FINALDownload

Maintaining a Strong and Unified OLLU Brand

A strong, consistent brand enhances Our Lady of the Lake University’s reputation and ensures that our identity remains recognizable and professional across all platforms. To achieve this, all university materials—digital and print—must adhere to OLLU’s official brand guidelines. These standards help maintain visual consistency in communications, promotional materials, signage, and digital content.

Key Brand Guidelines:
  • Approved Vendors: All branded university materials should be produced through approved vendors to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Logos: Only official OLLU logos may be used. Modifications, distortions, or alternative versions are not permitted.
  • Color Palette: All materials must adhere to OLLU’s official color scheme to maintain a unified visual identity.
  • Typography & Fonts: The designated fonts must be used for all official university communications and marketing materials.
  • Brand Placement: Logos and brand elements must be positioned according to the approved templates to ensure clarity and professionalism.
  • Marketing & Communications Approval: Any materials representing OLLU must be reviewed and approved by Marketing and Communications prior to distribution, including internal and external communications.
Compliance Deadlines:
  • February 14, 2025: All digital materials (email signatures, social media graphics, website content) must reflect OLLU’s updated logo.
  • March 31, 2025: All printed materials (business cards, brochures, flyers, signage) must align with the university’s branding standards.

Ensuring adherence to these guidelines reinforces OLLU’s brand identity, strengthens our community’s visibility, and enhances the impact of our messaging. Thank you for your collaboration in maintaining a strong and professional OLLU brand!

For approvals, vendor information, or questions, please contact Marketing and Communications at marcomm@ollusa.edu.

Access the full Brand Identity Guide Here

 Access the Brand Guidelines Cheat Sheets Here

Dr. Alicia Hawley-Bernardez Featured on Breaking the Cycle Podcast

Dr. Alicia Hawley-Bernardez, faculty member at OLLU’s Worden School of Social Service, was recently featured on the Breaking the Cycle podcast. In this episode, Dr. Hawley-Bernardez discusses critical topics related to social work, breaking generational cycles, and fostering positive change in communities.

We encourage our faculty, staff, and students to listen in and gain valuable insights from this important conversation!

Watch the full episode here

To learn more about Dr. Hawley-Bernardez and her work, visit her faculty profile: Alicia Hawley-Bernardez.

OLLU Proudly Supports the 29th Annual César E. Chávez March for Justice

Our Lady of the Lake University is honored to serve as a proud supporter of the 29th Annual César E. Chávez March for Justice on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Organized by the César E. Chávez Legacy & Educational Foundation (CECLEF), this march is a powerful opportunity to engage in civic participation and advocate for social and economic justice.

Learn More Here
Event Details:

Kick-Off Press Conference
📍 Wednesday, February 26 | 10 AM | OLLU Sacred Heart Chapel Steps
Join us as we officially invite San Antonio to take part in this meaningful event.

César E. Chávez March for Justice
📍 Saturday, March 22 | 10 AM | Begins at Guadalupe & Brazos Street and marches to Hemisfair Park
March alongside students, civic leaders, and community members to honor Chávez’s legacy.

  • Students are invited to participate in the March and receive volunteer service hours for the time spent marching.
  • VIA Metropolitan Transit will provide FREE rides from the OLLU campus to/from the march.
    • RSVP here to be included in the VIA bus transportation plans & receive detailed information regarding pickup & drop-off.
  • Check out the 2-mile march route below!

César E. Chávez Day Aguila Awards Celebration & Scholarship Fundraiser
📍 Saturday, March 29 | 6 PM | More details coming soon
Support the CECLEF Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over $400K to students in Bexar County pursuing higher education.

Additional Information:
  • Free VIA Park & Ride Service will be available for participants from 8:00 – 10:00 AM and after the march. RSVP HERE
  • Help CECLEF reach its goal of awarding $200K in scholarships for 2025 by attending and supporting these events.

As a key supporter of this event, OLLU encourages students, faculty, and staff to participate in the march and related events. Let’s come together to honor César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta and continue advocating for justice and equality.

OLLU Featured on The College Tour – Episode Now Live!

We’re thrilled to announce that Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is now live on The College Tour website, marking a significant milestone in our journey to share our unique story with prospective students, families, and the world!

Visit our Tour Page on The College Tour to see the highlights of OLLU’s culture, academic offerings, campus life, and more. We are incredibly proud of this collaboration with The College Tour and the official launch of our episode on Amazon Prime which aired on February 19, 2025, as part of Season 13. 

Explore OLLU on The College Tour
 Where to Watch OLLU’s Episode

Cold Weather Forces Schedule Changes

Due to the forecasted frigid temperatures expected this weekend, Our Lady of the Lake has made changes to its athletic schedules. 

The OLLU Softball series scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at 12:00 p.m. against Unviersity of the Southwest (USW) has been moved to Monday, February 24. The first pitch of the doubleheader will be at 12:00 p.m.

OLLU Baseball is scheduled to hit the road to Hobbs, New Mexico for a three-game series with USW. That series has been moved to Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23. The first pitch of the doubleheader in Hobbs will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and the finale will be at 1:00 p.m. (all times listed are CT). 

The Development team baseball games scheudled for today against Schreiner have been postponed. 

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following @ollusaintsathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Kristee Salas Earns RRAC Player of the Week Honors

Kristee Salas‘ performance at the plate last week earned her Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Player of the Week Honors as announced by the league office on Tuesday. 

Salas helped the Saints to a 3-1 record at the Saints Classic, hitting .667 (6-for-9) with two homeruns and seven RBI. The graduate student from Edinburg, Texas is third on the team in hits (11) and second in double (10). The Saints are 8-3 on the season. 

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following @ollusaintsathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.