Lake Weekly to Pause for the Week of June 2
Author: OLLUNewsletter
OLLU-Affiliated Segundo de Febrero Mural Nominated for San Antonio Current’s Best Mural
An OLLU-affiliated public art project has been nominated in the San Antonio Current’s citywide “Best of San Antonio” competition under the “Best Mural” category. This semester, students in Professor Gonzalez’s Barrio Arts and Popular Culture class partnered with community members to help restore the historic Segundo de Febrero Mural at the Cassiano Homes public housing complex.
The mural honors Segundo de Febrero and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, marking an important chapter in Mexican American history and identity. We are grateful to Juan Hernandez and Tache Torres, the original artists, as well as the Segundo de Febrero Committee, Opportunity Home, and Councilwoman Teri Castillo for allowing our students to be part of this meaningful project. Please vote to help recognize this important mural and the community history it represents: Best Mural Vote.
Celebrating Growth in Mexican American Studies at OLLU
Our Lady of the Lake University continues to strengthen its commitment to academic excellence, cultural preservation, and community engagement with the expansion of Mexican American Studies on campus.
As part of this effort, the university is integrating the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research into broader academic and student programs, creating greater opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.
Additionally, important archival materials will be moved into the university library, improving accessibility for students, faculty, and the public while supporting the long-term preservation of these invaluable cultural resources.
This initiative reflects OLLU’s mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution—honoring the rich history and contributions of Mexican American communities while fostering new pathways for research, learning, and engagement.
Read the full press release below.
Dental Services Available on Campus with Texas Mission of Mercy
Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) will bring its large-scale free dental clinic to Our Lady of the Lake University on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, marking the first time the organization has hosted an event at OLLU. TMOM’s mission is to improve oral health and quality of life for underserved Texans by providing access to free, basic dental care through mobile clinic events.
The clinic is expected to treat approximately 400 to 500 patients each day. Services will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with patients lining up beginning at 5 a.m. both mornings.
Patients attending the clinic will complete registration, have their vital signs checked, receive dental X-rays, and then undergo treatment. Services will include cleanings, fillings, and extractions — all provided free of charge, with no insurance required.
Hundreds of volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, medical assistants, and registration staff, will support the two-day event. Registration will take place in OLLU’s main building, X-rays will be conducted in the MARC, and treatment areas will be located in the UWAC.
A special blessing for volunteers and staff will be held at Sacred Heart Chapel on Thursday before the clinic begins.
TMOM has hosted clinics in communities across Texas, but this appears to be the organization’s first event at OLLU and potentially its first major clinic in San Antonio. The outreach is expected to bring significant activity to campus while providing critical dental care to hundreds of community members in need.
ESTAR West and Prosper West Unite to Strengthen San Antonio’s Westside
Two organizations dedicated to advancing economic opportunity on San Antonio’s Westside are joining forces under the leadership of CEO Ryan Kuhl, creating a stronger collaborative effort focused on community growth, entrepreneurship, and neighborhood revitalization.
ESTAR West was established with support of the Aspen Institute’s Latinos & Society Program to assist Westside entrepreneurs and small businesses through a collaborative network of resources, partnerships, and community-based initiatives. The organization works to ensure local businesses can thrive while preserving the culture and character of the historic Westside.
Prosper West San Antonio – with its tagline of Prosperity without Displacement — focuses on fostering economic development, revitalizing commercial corridors, supporting small businesses, and promoting redevelopment that benefits residents while honoring the history and identity of the community. Together, the organizations aim to expand opportunities for residents and strengthen long-term economic sustainability across the Westside.
Our Lady of the Lake University continues to support these efforts through community partnerships and by serving as home to the MAESTRO Entrepreneur Center, a university tenant dedicated to supporting small Westside businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and business development resources.
As part of this growing partnership, OLLU will also host the annual “State of the Westside” gathering later this September at Thiry Auditorium. The event brings together civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, business owners, educators, and residents to discuss opportunities, challenges, and future investments shaping the Westside.
The collaboration reflects a shared vision among community partners to support inclusive growth while preserving the cultural heritage and economic vitality of San Antonio’s Westside.
Annual Performance Evaluations Now Open for OLLU Staff
The 2025–2026 Staff Annual Performance Evaluation period is now open from May 18, 2026, through June 12, 2026, and we ask that all evaluations be completed on or before Friday, June 12, 2026, through Teamflect in Microsoft Teams. This review period covers the current academic year, June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, and provides an important opportunity to reflect on accomplishments, recognize contributions, and support continued growth across our campus community.
Please note that annual evaluations are not required for employees hired within six months before May 31, 2026, as those employees will have already received a 90-day evaluation. For guidance on completing the Staff Performance Evaluation, please refer to the instructions available on the HR SharePoint site. We are grateful for your support and for the time and care you dedicate to this important process, and we encourage you to complete your evaluations promptly to ensure they are submitted on time.
Campus Voices Matter: Help Improve Housekeeping Services at OLLU
Your feedback matters. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming campus environment, we encourage all faculty, staff, and students to take a few moments to complete the monthly housekeeping services survey.
Your input helps us better understand what is working well, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen the overall quality and responsiveness of housekeeping services across campus. Honest and constructive feedback is essential as we continue working toward operational excellence and an exceptional campus experience for our community.
Please complete the survey by clicking on the button below:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and help us improve our campus environment.
United in Purpose: OLLU Moves Closer to Its 1,800 Enrollment Goal
Dear OLLU Community,
As we move forward with our Fall 2026 enrollment efforts, we want to recognize the progress we have made together and keep our focus on the path ahead. Our current enrollment is 1,232, which reflects the commitment, collaboration, and care shown across the OLLU community.
With a goal of 1,800 students, we are continuing to build momentum, and every registration brings us closer to that finish line. Enrollment is a shared responsibility, and each interaction with prospective and current students makes a meaningful difference. We can all help strengthen this effort by sharing our OLLU experience with future Saints, supporting the students already part of our community, and staying engaged in campus-wide collaboration.
As you continue to see the enrollment thermometer across campus, please remember that every step forward matters. Together, through focus, unity, and shared purpose, we can reach our goal and continue building a thriving OLLU community.
Welcome Our New Saints: OLLU’s Two-Part Orientation Program Prepares First-Year Students for Success
The entire Our Lady of the Lake community can’t wait to welcome our newest Saints this summer! We’re thrilled to help our first-year students kick off their journey with an orientation experience that’s energizing, informative, and packed with resources to set them up for success.
Our two-part orientation program — Lake Day Orientation and Blue Nation Welcome— is designed to help students fully prepare and connect with our community before their first day of classes.
🌊 Part 1: Lake Day Orientation
All incoming freshmen students are required to attend one of the following dates:
- Tuesday, June 2
- Thursday, June 18
- Saturday, July 18
Lake Day Orientation is a fun and informative full-day event for students and their families to get a feel for what life at OLLU is all about.
At Lake Day, students will:
- Connect with professors, staff, and fellow Saints
- Dive into OLLU’s mission, values, and vibrant campus culture
- Explore support services and resources for their academic and personal success
- Chat directly with faculty about their major and minor
- Get personalized support for financial aid, advising, and more!
💙 Part 2: Blue Nation Welcome
Students will be able to kick off their OLLU adventure with energy and confidence! Blue Nation Welcome is a dynamic, two-day program taking place Friday & Saturday, August 14–15, 2026, right before classes begin. Students will meet their classmates, get familiar with the campus, and be ready to start their first semester strong!
👉 Ready to learn more? Head over to the Orientation web page today!
We can’t wait to see our new students on campus — Go Saints!
OLLU Softball Continues Championship Tradition with Grit, Heart and Saints Pride
The OLLU Saints Softball team continues to show why the program remains one of the strongest in Saints Athletics. Entering the 2026 season ranked No. 12 in the NAIA preseason poll after a dominant 47-9 overall record and a 27-1 mark in conference play, the Saints have continued to bring energy, focus, and competitive play to every game.
From big hits at the plate to key defensive stops, the Saints are competing with confidence and teamwork while representing OLLU with pride. That success carried into the postseason, where OLLU captured the 2026 RRAC Championship and advanced into the NAIA national tournament, further underscoring the program’s high standard of excellence.
The program reflects the dedication of student-athletes who balance academics, athletics, and leadership on and off the field. As the season progresses, OLLU Softball remains focused on competing at a high level and pushing toward postseason success — one game at a time.
Go Saints! 🥎💙
Check out their schedule and current bracket standing.