Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) will introduce a new tradition during its 2026 Convocation with the inaugural State of the University, a mandatory quarterly gathering designed to strengthen communication, transparency, and collaboration among faculty and staff.
Held four times each year — August, November, February and May — the State of the University will provide employees with regular updates on the university’s strategic priorities, institutional direction, key initiatives, and administrative policies. Cabinet members will deliver brief reports on their quarterly goals and accomplishments, offering faculty and staff a clear understanding of the university’s progress and priorities.
In addition to administrative updates, each quarterly gathering will recognize university accomplishments and milestones. This year’s Convocation will also mark the debut of the Customer Service Excellence Award, a new recognition honoring staff members that create a welcoming, respectful, and caring environment for students, colleagues, visitors, and the university community.
Every member of the OLLU community will have the opportunity to nominate a deserving colleague. Nominations must include specific examples describing when and how the employee demonstrated exceptional customer service, the actions they took, and the positive impact those actions had on students, coworkers, visitors, or other members of the university community. The deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by 5pm.
Nominees should consistently demonstrate one or more of the following qualities:
- Exceptional service to students through compassion, responsiveness, patience, and professionalism.
- Kindness, courtesy, and respect toward students, colleagues, visitors, and community members.
- Pride in maintaining a clean, safe, attractive, and welcoming campus environment.
- Collaboration across departments to ensure seamless service and successful outcomes.
- Responsiveness, reliability, and clear, professional communication.
Initiative and problem-solving by removing barriers and taking ownership of challenges. - Professionalism, integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
- A positive, solution-oriented attitude, even during difficult situations.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.
- A daily embodiment of OLLU’s mission and values through hospitality, service, community, compassion, respect, integrity, trust, and the spirit of Providence.
Celebrating Community
While the State of the University will focus on institutional updates and employee recognition, it will also celebrate the university community through interactive games, prizes, and giveaways.Lunch will be provided.
Submit a nomination by August 4th by 5pm below.
(If your nominee was not selected, please know that their contributions are valued and they may be considered during a future nomination period.)