Author: OLLUNewsletter

University Summer Hours Begin May 18

Summer University Hours – Effective May 18 – August 7, 2026

Monday – Thursday – 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. – Noon

Summer Holidays

May 25 – Memorial Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
July 3 – Independence Day (Observed)

In accordance with the Summer Hours policy (AD-HR-PO-049), official university office hours from May 18, 2026, through Aug. 7, 2026, will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

All full-time employees are expected to work 40 hours each week, or in alignment with their employment agreement if they typically work fewer than 40 hours. Employees are also required to take a minimum 30-minute unpaid lunch break on full days. Department heads will provide final approval of each employee’s schedule to ensure appropriate office coverage and that university needs are met.

Some departments are exempt from the Summer Hours Policy and will remain open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. These offices are:

  • Undergraduate Admissions Office
  • Graduate Admissions Office
  • Registrar’s Office
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Student Business Office

Summer holidays for 2026 include Memorial Day on May 25, Juneteenth on June 19, and the Independence Day observance on July 3. Faculty and staff are also asked to avoid scheduling planned leave between Monday, Aug. 10, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, unless special circumstances are approved through the appropriate division leadership.

OLLU Earns Silver-Level Exercise Is Medicine on Campus Recognition

Our Lady of the Lake University has earned Silver-level recognition from the Exercise is Medicine on Campus Committee, an initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine. The recognition honors OLLU’s commitment to educating students, faculty and staff about the benefits of physical activity and to fostering a culture of wellness on campus. The certificate below identifies OLLU as a “2026–27 Silver Campus.”

OLLU’s Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) program began in fall 2024 and has included initiatives such as the President’s Walk, the SAINTS Challenge, a blood pressure monitoring program and educational sessions. OLLU is the only campus in San Antonio to be recognized as an EIM-OC campus.

OLLU leadership will be recognized at a ceremony in May during ACSM’s Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The OLLU EIM-OC leadership team is led by Dr. Emily Sauers, Professor in Kinesiology, and includes Karen D’Amata, Director of Counseling and Wellness Services, Prof. Michael Maspero, Instructor in Kinesiology, and Kinesiology students Isai Moran and Isabella Maldonado-Esparza.

EIM_OC_certificates_2026_27_Silver_Our_Lady_of_the_Lake_UniversityDownload

OLLU Students and Faculty Represent at Sigma Zeta National Convention

Thirteen OLLU students in Biology and Environmental Science and Sustainability, along with three Biology faculty members, traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, from March 25–29 to attend the 2026 National Convention of the Sigma Zeta Science and Mathematics Honor Society, hosted by Marian University and the University of Indianapolis.

All thirteen students in attendance served on a Sigma Zeta convention committee and eight of the students delivered either poster or oral presentations. The trip gave students the opportunity to share their work, connect with undergraduates and professors from other institutions, and take part in the broader national scientific community.

In addition, Prof Adam Bynum was elected as President of Sigma Zeta and will serve in that role on the Sigma Zeta National Executive Board in 2026-2027.

Students:

  • Adriana Figueroa
  • Alondra Garcia
  • Nevelle Garcia
  • Raquel Velazquez
  • Zulma Juarez
  • Michaela Mendez
  • Bethany Garr
  • Catherine Blood
  • Madison Perez
  • Tracy Cabrera
  • Karis Alcoser
  • Valerie Morales
  • Marlia De Jesus

Professors:

  • Dr. Jim Hall
  • Prof. Adam Bynum
  • Dr. Chloe Lash


Saints Have Stellar Performance At Bobcat Invite & Texas Relays

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints women’s track and field continued its outdoor season with a competitive two-meet stretch, opening at the Texas Relays before returning to action at the Bobcat Invitational.

At the Texas Relays in Austin, the Saints were led by freshman Alex Wells, who posted a time of 12.11 in the 100 meters against a deep collegiate field. In the distance events, senior Liliana Hernandez turned in a top-10 finish in the 1500 meters, placing eighth in 4:59.59.

OLLU also saw solid relay performances, highlighted by the 4×100-meter relay team of Nataley Doka, Wells, Sa’Nya Auguste, and Jadae Freeman, which ran 49.01 in preliminary competition. The 4×800-meter relay squad of Monica Sanchez, Mia Curiel, Hernandez, and Madison Perez added a 10th-place finish with a time of 9:36.30.

In the field events, Lawren Tanner delivered one of the team’s top marks of the meet, placing 12th in the long jump with a leap of 5.57 meters (18-3.25). Jeslynn Flores also competed in the high jump.

The Saints carried that experience into the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, where they produced a number of steady performances across multiple event groups. Samantha Solis led the team in the 100 meters with a time of 13.63, while Morghan Neely and Brianna Rodriguez competed in the 200 meters, posting times of 26.00 and 28.33, respectively.

Rodriguez returned in the 400 meters with a time of 1:03.74, while freshman Sadie Romero led the team in the open 400 with a 59.08 performance. In the middle-distance events, Daylah Vega and Claudia Lopez recorded times of 2:31.41 and 2:33.29 in the 800 meters.

The Saints showed depth in the 1500 meters, led by Mia Curiel‘s 4:58.07, followed closely by Zaddie Santacruz (5:01.54) and Vega (5:10.31). Leilani Leza and Lopez rounded out the group with times of 5:24.34 and 5:35.47, respectively.

Kymberli Cavazos represented OLLU in the hurdles, running 18.25 in the 100-meter hurdles and 1:11.33 in the 400-meter hurdles.

OLLU Continues Outdoor Season with Strong Showings in Back-to-Back Meets

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints men’s track and field put together a competitive stretch of performances across two meets in early April, opening at the Texas Relays before continuing their outdoor campaign at the Bobcat Invitational.

At the Texas Relays in Austin, the Saints faced one of the nation’s deepest fields and delivered several notable efforts. Freshman Deven Langston led the sprint group with a wind-aided 10.49 in the 100 meters, while senior Sean Lin followed with an 11.18. Langston also teamed with Jesus Riefkohl-Delgado, Lin, and Isaiah Huerta in the 4×100-meter relay, where the group clocked 42.49 in preliminary action.

In the middle-distance events, Isai Moran recorded a strong seventh-place finish in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:01.67. He later returned to anchor the 4×800-meter relay squad of Joseph Gonzalez, Jose Perez, and Joshua Veliz to a fifth-place finish in 7:43.64, marking one of the team’s top relay performances of the meet. Freshman Damian DeLeon added a qualifying mark in the 110-meter hurdles, running 14.41 to meet the NAIA B standard, and contributed to the 4×400-meter relay alongside Edgar Zuniga, Huerta, and Julian Verastegui, which posted a time of 3:19.16.

The Saints carried that momentum into the Bobcat Invitational, where they showcased depth across sprints, distance, and field events. Houston Ifah led the team in the 100 meters with a time of 10.89. In the 200 meters, Joseph Gonzalez turned in an impressive 21.26, while Riefkohl-Delgado followed with a 22.05. Verastegui added a solid performance in the 400 meters, clocking 48.98.

OLLU’s distance group continued to produce steady results, with Jose Saucedo and Anthony Alaniz finishing back-to-back in the 1500 meters in 4:06.70 and 4:06.87, respectively. Diego Moran delivered one of the top distance finishes of the meet, placing eighth in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:12.59. Saucedo also doubled in the 3000-meter steeplechase, finishing eighth in 10:01.78.

In the field events, freshman Damarian Alfred cleared 1.91 meters (6-3.25) in the high jump to lead the Saints.

OLLU Baseball Closes Series Strong with 11-2 Statement Win

Our Lady of the Lake put together a resilient and competitive series against Louisiana Christian, closing it out with an emphatic performance that highlighted the Saints offensive firepower, pitching depth, and ability to respond to adversity.

The series opened as a pitcher’s duel, with the Saints held to three hits despite a perfect day at the plate from Benjamyn Hovda, who accounted for all of OLLU’s offense. Even in a 3-0 setback, the Saints remained within striking distance throughout, thanks to a steady outing from Donovan Gamez and key defensive plays, including a momentum-shifting double play turned by the infield. The result did not reflect the competitiveness of the Saints, who showed discipline and flashes of offensive potential.

That potential came to life in the second game, as OLLU’s lineup delivered a breakout performance with 15 hits. Jack Kalisky paced the offense with four hits, while Drew Saucedo and Aiden Gonzalez each contributed multi-hit efforts to keep pressure on Louisiana Christian pitching. Jacob Cueva drove in two runs, and the Saints consistently created opportunities through aggressive baserunning and situational execution, including multiple sacrifice bunts that kept innings alive. Despite the offensive surge, the game turned on a late swing from Louisiana Christian, but OLLU’s ability to adjust and produce at a high level was evident.

The Saints saved their most complete performance for the finale, erupting for 11 runs on 15 hits in a commanding victory. Saucedo set the tone at the top of the lineup, reaching base consistently and scoring three times, while Kalisky continued his dominant series with four more hits and three RBIs. Joshua Milton delivered a key extra-base hit and drove in two runs, and both Diego Zuniga and Cueva added two RBIs apiece as the lineup produced from top to bottom. Hovda remained a catalyst, contributing multiple hits, driving in a run, and applying pressure on the basepaths.

On the mound, Noah Ferraro anchored the Saints with a strong six-inning performance, limiting Louisiana Christian to just one run while navigating traffic with composure. Xavior Salazar and Nolan Nicholson combined to close out the game effectively, preserving the lead and securing the series finale with confidence.

Defensively, the Saints backed their pitching staff with consistent execution, turning multiple double plays throughout the series and showing strong communication across the infield. The combination of timely defense and relentless offense in the final game underscored the team’s growth over the course of the series.

Saints Rise To No. 7 In Latest NAIA Coaches Poll

Oregon Tech slides into No. 1 behind six first-place votes in the third NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll this season. The 30-4 Owls are on a three-game winning streak and sit at 13-2 in Cascade action so far this season. Madonna (Mich.) and Oklahoma City are knotted at second in the third poll with nearly identical records. The Crusaders are up three spots from No. 5, and OCU is up two spots from No. 4. Teams first through sixth all received a share of first-place votes this week, with Eastern Oregon earning five, Southern Oregon earning two, and Southeastern (Fla.) picking up the final first-place vote available.

Two teams joined the top 25 in the third installment with Coastal Georgia and Benedictine (Kan.) earning spots at No. 23 and No. 25, respectively. The top 25 continues to shift with each installment, but among the shuffle, three teams maintained from the second release with No. 6 Southeastern, No. 10 Missouri Baptist, and No. 21 Texas A&M University – Texarkana, who now holds sole possession of the 21st spot.

OLLU Alum Julian S. Garcia Publishes First Novel

Julian S. Garcia, a 1975 graduate of Our Lady of the Lake College, has published his first novel, When VIAztlan Was the Rage. Garcia studied sociology and bilingual education at OLLU and is now adding fiction to a long record of published writing.

Garcia is a regular Op-Ed contributor for the San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle and other Hearst publications. His work has also appeared on the Texas State Historical Association website.

The ebook edition of When VIAztlan Was the Rage has been published by Tiltwood Press, with a paperback edition expected in summer 2026. The book cover describes the novel as “a novel of writers, rebellion, and literary awakening.”

A literary novel exploring the vibrant history of the ViAztlan International journal in the 1980s, captures the creative energy, cultural rivalries, and artistic voices that shaped San Antonio’s West Side and connected local writers to an international literary movement.

This accomplishment highlights the continued impact of OLLU alumni in literature, journalism and public thought.

You may obtain this e-novel on Amazon here.