Our Lady of the Lake University will serve as an official Early Voting site for the upcoming Primary Elections, providing a convenient opportunity for the campus and surrounding community to participate in the democratic process.
Dayanara Torres, Senior Visual Arts major and Spring 2026 graduation candidate, is curating an on-campus group exhibition as part of her Honors Capstone Project. This project offers an opportunity for any OLLU student in San Antonio to submit their artwork.
THEME:
How students at OLLU express or cope with various mental health struggles during their college careers.
details:
Express yourself through whatever medium you’d like with whatever topic related to the theme.
Artwork submissions are due by Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. through this form.
No AI “art” allowed. All work should be originally created by the artist.
Exhibition details:
Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
The OLLU International Folk Culture Center (IFCC) invites you to a special Spring Artist-in-Residence workshop with acclaimed writer, dancer, and healer Xelena González on February 28.
This dynamic, two-part experience is rooted in González’s curative guidebook Lotería Remedios and blends writing, reflection, and gentle movement into a restorative healing practice. Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions.
Cost:
FREE for OLLU students, faculty, staff, and alumni
Community participants are welcome with a sliding scale of $8–$88, ensuring accessibility for all income levels
about xelena González
González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. Her picture books include the award-winning titles ALL AROUND US (Cinco Puntos Press, 2017), WHERE WONDER GROWS (Lee & Low, 2022), and REMEMBERING (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Her writing for adults includes poetry, essays, fiction, and screenwriting. LOTERIA REMEDIOS is her collection of reflections, divinations, plant and animal medicine, and other tools for self-healing based on the time-honored game (Hay House, July 2024). A former librarian and enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena has become a sought-after speaker on topics such as radical self-love, creative early literacy strategies, inhabiting story through music and movement, and reclaiming indigenous identity in Latinx communities.
Have you ever wanted to grow your own herbs, vegetables, or flowers—but didn’t know where to start? Now’s your chance.
The OLLU Community Garden is inviting students, faculty, and staff to rent a FREE garden bed on campus and experience the rewards of growing your own food. Whether you’re planting herbs for your dorm, vegetables for your family, or flowers just because, this space is here for you.
This initiative is supported in part by the TExAS FAST Scholars Program, which continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning, sustainability, and community-building experiences right here on campus. For students especially, this is more than gardening—it’s a chance to develop healthy habits, reduce grocery costs, learn about food systems, and connect classroom knowledge to real-world practice.
By reserving a garden bed, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Build community on campus
Grow your own food
Practice sustainable living
Connect with nature
The community garden is located just outside of the Commerce Street gate, behind the soccer fields and Maintenance Shop.
All skill levels are welcome, and no tools are required. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or have years of experience, the garden is designed to be accessible and welcoming to everyone. Spots are limited to don’t wait!
Homecoming 2026 is almost here—“Rooted in Tradition. United for the Future.” And this year, we’re excited to introduce a brand-new event to the celebration: Lotería Night!
This special evening is a reimagined lotería and a tribute to San Antonio’s distinctive culinary scene. Celebrated as a UNESCO designated city for Creative City Gastronomy, come learn about the variety and culture behind many of our flavorful dishes.
Lotería will be delivered by Que Sabor, bringing a vibrant and flavorful twist to this beloved tradition.
For Beau Lewis, athletics is more than competition—it’s a legacy.
Growing up in a family of collegiate athletes, Lewis was surrounded by examples of dedication, discipline, and perseverance. His grandfather played football at the University of Houston, while his mother competed in basketball at Sam Houston State University. Their achievements didn’t just set a standard—they created a pathway.
“I’ve always been driven to follow in their footsteps,” Lewis shares. “Their hard work, discipline, and passion for their sports inspire me every day to give my best for my team and continue their legacy at OLLU.”
That legacy carries special meaning during Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and impact of Black athletes whose excellence and resilience have shaped the world of sports. For Lewis, honoring that history means showing up fully—for himself, his teammates, and those who paved the way before him.
Alongside family inspiration, Lewis credits an influential mentor who helped shape his athletic and personal growth. His high school coach, Coach Norris, played a pivotal role in building his confidence and competitive mindset. Norris, now OLLU’s Athletic Director, gets to provide that support to Beau and 400 other athletes on a daily basis.
“He always believed in me, pushed me to improve, and made sure I was moving forward even when things got tough,” Lewis says. “I’m incredibly grateful for his support at every meet.”
As a student-athlete at Our Lady of the Lake University, Lewis recognizes the importance of continuing to uplift and celebrate Black voices—not just during February, but throughout the year.
“OLLU uplifts Black voices by sharing these stories year-round,” he notes.
By honoring family legacy, valuing mentorship, and embracing the broader history of Black excellence in athletics, Beau Lewis represents both where the journey began and where it continues. During Black History Month and beyond, his story is a reminder that every performance carries the strength of those who came before—and the inspiration for those still to come.
Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor, defeating Southwest 81–56 behind efficient shooting and strong rebounding.
The Saints established control early and maintained it throughout the contest, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and knocking down 10 three-pointers. OLLU’s balanced offensive attack featured four players scoring in double figures, led by Alexandra Westerdijk Martin, who finished with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting. She also dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, providing a steady interior presence on both ends.
Shayla Dede added 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists while playing 36 minutes, consistently creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. Macie Moss contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, and Evangeline Hernandez provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including three made three-pointers. Samantha Fields was perfect from beyond the arc, going 3-for-3 on her way to nine points.
OLLU controlled the rebounding battle 44–20, limiting Southwest to just six offensive rebounds and few second-chance opportunities. The Saints also shared the ball effectively, recording 17 assists, with Isabella Jaramillo leading the way with six assists to go along with six rebounds.
Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake held Southwest to 22.7 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Southwest was led by Karinna Ortiz, who scored 22 points, and Seniya Wilson, who added 16, largely from the free-throw line. However, consistent defensive pressure and disciplined team defense prevented Southwest from building any sustained momentum. Our Lady of the Lake secured a convincing victory and continued to show depth and balance across the lineup. The Saints now have won four in a row and look to extend that streak as they will go up against North American on Thursday at 5:30 PM CDT at home.
Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to welcome back Saints alumni, friends, and family for a celebration of 131 years of community & tradition at Homecoming 2026.
This will be a weekend full of fun events kicking off on Friday, February 27th, and running through March 1st. While more details will be available soon, we’d like to invite you to explore our alumni resources in the meantime, and look forward to inviting you all back to campus.
For the latest updates on Homecoming 2026, visit the official Homecoming page on the OLLU website. Stay tuned! Wings up!
Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to celebrate the leadership and service of Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Liliana Gutierrez, and Director of Institutional Research & Analytics, Newman Wong, who were recently elected to serve three-year terms on the Executive Committee of the Texas Association for Higher Education Assessment (TxAHEA).
Director of Institutional Research & Analytics, Newman WongDirector of Assessment and Accreditation, Liliana Gutierrez
This election is a proud moment for the entire OLLU community, as they will both now work to advance assessment practices in higher education, representing OLLU within a statewide professional organization committed to improving student learning and institutional effectiveness across Texas.
In addition to her role with TxAHEA, Liliana Gutierrez also currently serves on the Planning Committee for National Assessment Week as the South Representative. National Assessment Week brings together higher education professionals from across the country to share strategies, research, and best practices related to assessment and continuous improvement.
Congratulations to both Liliana Gutierrez and Newman Wong— the OLLU community is proud to be represented by their ongoing commitment to excellence in assessment, collaboration, and professional engagement.
