Month: August 2025

Our Lady of the Lake Women’s Soccer Eyes Strong Season Amidst Competitive RRAC Field

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women’s soccer team is preparing to begin the 2025 season with high hopes after being ranked sixth in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) preseason poll. With only the top six teams advancing to the conference tournament this year, the Saints find themselves right on the edge — a position that adds intensity and urgency to every match ahead.

Xavier University claimed the top spot in the poll after winning last year’s RRAC tournament on penalty kicks, earning nine first-place votes. LSU Alexandria and LSU Shreveport followed in second and third, while Louisiana Christian and Texas A&M-Texarkana edged out OLLU for the next two spots. The Saints collected 83 points in the voting, placing them just behind the top five and clearly within reach of a postseason berth.

After a competitive showing last season, OLLU will be looking to take the next step, relying on returning experience and new energy to push them forward. The talent is there, and with the tournament format tightening, every game on the schedule carries added weight.

While preseason rankings offer a glimpse into expectations, they do not dictate outcomes. The Saints are eager to prove they belong among the RRAC’s elite and won’t be content with sixth. The 2025 campaign is shaping up to be a fight, one in which the Saints will be prepared for.

Head Coach Lee Williams commented,

“As we approach the upcoming soccer season, we are filled with excitement and optimism about what lies ahead for the OLLU Women’s Soccer program. This year promises to be one of the most competitive seasons we’ve had in recent years.

The student-athletes worked efficiently during the summer and are continuing to work tirelessly in the lead-up to our first game. Their hard work, focus, and intensity have been relentless. This has set a strong foundation for what we aim to achieve this season.

We are welcoming back a lot of experienced SAINTS, while also adding a very talented group of new players to the SAINTS family. The additions have fitted seamlessly into our high-performing environment, bringing fresh energy and diversity that will complement our existing group. This mix of youth and experience—from San Antonio and all over the globe—puts us in a good position to face the challenges that lie ahead this season.

We are focused on enhancing our tactical approach, refining our playing style, and building on our team-first culture that emphasizes a relentless commitment to improving each other every day, with a ruthless streak in competition.

This fall season, we will face some excellent opponents, and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against the best. I am confident that the team’s hard work will translate into success both on and off the field this year. We look forward to having the continued support of our fans, families, and the entire OLLU community as we begin our journey toward achieving our goals.”

Spirit Day 2025: Mass of the Holy Spirit & Employee Service Recognition

Spirit Day 2025: Mass of the Holy Spirit & Employee Service Recognition will take place at Sacred Heart Chapel commencing at 11AM on Thursday, September 11th, 2025.

Faculty and Staff Honorees will be recognized immediately following Mass of the Holy Spirit.

2025 Eligible Service Award recipients:

  • Farias, Louis- General Maintenance Journeyman (45 years)
  • Alvarado, Dominga C- Director of Disbursements (35 years)
  • Gomez, John P- Professor of Psychology (25 years
  • Nino, Nikki M- Student Support Specialist (20 years)
  • Delgado, Melissa- Registrar (20 years)
  • Ibarra, Stella C- Student Employment Assistant (15 years)
  • Ramirez, Elena C- Financial Aid Counselor (10 years)
  • Mendez, Darian G- Graduate Admissions Specialist (10 years)
  • Hernandez, Naomi A- Associate Clinical Professor (10 years)

Faculty and Staff employees who believe are eligible to receive a Service Award for full-time service years at OLLU, but do not see their name on the list, should contact Human Resources as soon as possible via email at mbecerra15@ollusa.edu.

The listing includes names and years of service of full-time employees whom Human Resources records show as being eligible to receive the 2025 Service Awards. Honorees will be recognized during the liturgy on Thursday, September 11th, 2025 (Mass of the Holy Spirit and Employee Service Recognition Ceremony at Sacred Heart Chapel).

Employees must have completed full-time service in increments of five years beginning with the 10-year mark and continuing in 2025 to be eligible to receive the Service Award.

Sincerely,
Office of Human Resources

Updates to Laptop and Mobile Hotspot Loan Program

The Sueltenfuss Library is pleased to announce the continuation of the Laptop and Mobile Hotspot Loan Program for the upcoming academic year. In partnership with the Information Technology Services office, this initiative has expanded digital access for students, faculty, and staff across our OLLU community. We are excited to continue providing this valuable resource.

As part of the program’s continuation, we would like to inform you of important updates to the lending policies:

  1. Request Process: All requests must be submitted through the Laptop Loan and Mobile Hotspot Request Form. Informal or email requests will no longer be accepted.
  2. Checkout Options for Hotspots: Mobile hotspots may now be borrowed for either a semester or a two-week period.

Eligibility:

Current students are eligible to request semester-long checkouts for laptops and/or mobile hotspots based on demonstrated need. 
Faculty, staff, and students located on the San Antonio Campus are eligible to request two-week mobile hotspot loans based on availability.

    Renewals:

    Laptops (Semester): Eligible for one renewal (for an additional semester).
    Mobile Hotspots (Semester): No renewals permitted; must be returned at semester’s end.
    Mobile Hotspots (Two Weeks): Eligible for one renewal (two additional weeks).

      Please refer to the table below for a summary of these updates:

       Laptops (SEMESTER)Mobile Hotspots (SEMESTER)Mobile Hotspots (TWO WEEKS)
      Who can check out?Current students onlyCurrent students onlyCurrent students, faculty, & staff
      What campus can request?RGV, Houston, San Antonio, onlineRGV, Houston, San Antonio, onlineSan Antonio campus only
      Renewals?1 semester renewal (15 weeks)No renewals1 renewal (2 weeks)

      Due to the limited supply of equipment, not all requests can be fulfilled. We kindly ask all borrowers to return devices on or before their due dates to ensure equitable access for others. For more information, please visit our Laptop and Mobile Hotspot Loan Program  web page or you can email us at Library@ollusa.edu.

      Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

      Mexican Consulate and OLLU Strengthen Partnership to Support Hispanic Students

      Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Antonio have taken a significant step forward in their shared commitment to educational equity, access, and opportunity for the Hispanic community. In a formal signing ceremony held at the Mexican Consulate, leaders from both institutions came together to reaffirm their dedication to supporting the next generation of students through targeted scholarship funding and educational initiatives.

      Through this renewed partnership, the Mexican Consulate will provide scholarships that directly benefit OLLU students of Mexican origin or heritage. These scholarships are designed to help reduce financial barriers and ensure that talented, hardworking students can pursue higher education without the burden of insurmountable costs.

      Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transformation—both for individuals and communities. Scholarships are more than financial aid—they are a statement of belief in our students’ potential, their future, and their ability to lead change in our communities.”

      The partnership also aligns with OLLU’s long-standing mission of service, leadership, and social justice. For decades, the university has been a cornerstone for the Hispanic population in San Antonio and beyond, championing efforts that reflect the cultural richness and aspirations of its students.

      As the Hispanic student population continues to grow across the United States, this collaboration serves as a model for how institutions can respond—by investing in equity, fostering inclusion, and committing to a transformative impact on students’ lives. The scholarships provided through this partnership will not only help individual recipients complete their degrees but will also ripple out into their families, neighborhoods, and professions, creating lasting change.

      In the years ahead, OLLU and the Mexican Consulate plan to continue strengthening their alliance, expanding scholarship opportunities, and enhancing academic support systems to ensure that every deserving student can reach their fullest potential. Together, they are building a future where education is not a privilege for the few, but a promise kept for all.

      OLLU Remembers Alumnae Cuca Robles and Amparo Ortiz

      Our Lady of the Lake University is saddened to share the news of the passing of two beloved alumnae, Cuca Robles and Amparo H. Ortiz. Both women exemplified the spirit of the OLLU community through their lives of service, leadership, and compassion.

      Amparo H. Ortiz

      August 1, 1944 – August 4, 2025

      Born Maria Amparo Hurtado in Armenia, Colombia, Amparo came to the United States in pursuit of her own American Dream. She studied English and the Arts in Saltillo, Mexico, before making her way to San Antonio, where she attended Our Lady of the Lake University.

      Her life in San Antonio brought her professional success and deep personal joy. Amparo met Lorenzo Ortiz, who became her husband for over 50 years, and together they raised three children—Edward, Mark, and Stephanie—and welcomed the blessing of a granddaughter, Kayla.

      A celebrated communications icon and 1992 inductee into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, Amparo interviewed cultural figures such as Robert Rodriguez, Juanes, Vikki Carr, Salma Hayek, Oscar de la Renta, and Vicente Fernandez. She was passionate about education, creating the “Student of the Week” segment on her show to highlight outstanding San Antonio students. Her elegance, generosity, and dedication to empowering others made her a role model for many.

      Amparo is survived by her children, granddaughter, siblings, and a large extended family. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the Children’s Defense Fund, San Antonio Animal Care Services, or nonprofits serving children or women battling abuse.

      Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel

      Dr. Montecel, received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with High Distinction on December 20, 1972. The President Emerita of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, in San Antonio. She was a visionary leader, a tireless advocate, and a nationally recognized expert in education policy, dedicated to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students.

      During her nearly 30-year tenure at IDRA, Dr. Robledo Montecel expanded the organization’s reach and influence, developing research-based programs and policies that addressed systemic inequities in education. Her leadership was rooted in the belief that schools must serve every child, without exception, and her work influenced state and national education reform.

      An OLLU alumna, Dr. Montecel was known for her warmth, compassion, and ability to inspire others. Her legacy lives on in the thousands of educators, students, and advocates she mentored and in the lasting impact of her work to advance educational justice.

      Read the full statement here.

      Welcome New Faculty to OLLU!

      We would like to welcome are newest faculty members to Our Lake of the Lake University. Don’t forget to say “Hi” to new faces in the hallways as we begin the new semester.

      Eric Banks, PhD,   Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry

      Anthony Fava, PhD,  Post-Doctoral Scholar of Kinesiology 

      Lindsay McCarthy, PhD,   Assistant Professor of Psychology 

      Reminder: 2025 University Professional Development Days

      August 12, 2025 – August 15, 2025

      University Professional Development Days will advance learning opportunities and support professional growth for our OLLU community. Faculty and Staff in San Antonio are asked to attend in person to allow a rich community engagement. Some Day 3 concurrent sessions will include a hybrid option for Houston and RGV participation.

      Attendance Required:
      All San Antonio-based faculty and staff are expected to attend the second day of the conference in person unless excused by their supervisor. Division leaders should use discretion to determine the needs of their areas and who can attend the conference. Division leaders may consider rotating schedules to allow most staff to attend at least part of the conference.

      Important Links:

      REMINDER: The Maestro Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

      Our Lady of the Lake University, the first Hispanic Serving Institution in the country, is proud to participate in the Maestro Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with tabling scheduled from 9:00 to 10:15 AM inside Room 108 of the Convent.

      This event will draw over 150 attendees—small business owners, funders, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and community champions—who may benefit from learning more about what OLLU offers.