May 5, 2026
Dear OLLU Family,
In recent weeks, we have shared moments that reflect both our promise and our true potential. From the $1.82 million investment by the Bexar County Commissioner’s Court to complete the renovation of the Auditorium beneath Sacred Heart Chapel, to an extraordinary soon-to-be announced $1 million gift from philanthropist Harvey Najim to honor Trustee and former Board Chair Roy Terracina, these milestones reflect growing momentum and belief in our University.
You have also seen it firsthand: faculty and staff across our university coming together with renewed focus to advance Fall 2026 registration and enrollment and reach our goals. This alignment is the result of commitment, collaboration, and a shared belief in our mission.
All the while, we must be clear—higher education is changing rapidly. Expectations are shifting, competition is intensifying, and the path forward demands discipline, focus, execution, accountability, and alignment from all of us. Today’s higher education environment requires institutions to adapt with urgency, discipline, and an unwavering focus on students.
As the semester and the academic year conclude and we celebrate commencement, let’s certainly pause and take pride in what we have accomplished, while keeping what lies ahead in our sights. We will continue building a university that serves students with greater focus, responsiveness, excellence, and distinction.
I believe in our university. I believe in our mission. And most importantly, I believe in you.
Our students and their futures remain at the center of this work.
Abel A. Chávez, MBA, Ph.D.