Author: OLLUNewsletter

Credit Human 2026 Scholarship Now Open

Credit Human is now accepting applications for its 2026 Scholarship Program. This scholarship opportunity supports undergraduate and returning students who are continuing their educational journey and investing in their future.

Eligible applicants must be Credit Human members—or the child, grandchild, or spouse of a member in good standing for at least one year—hold a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the upcoming academic year. Students graduating in December 2026 may qualify for half of the scholarship award. High school seniors and students enrolled in trade, technical, or vocational programs are not eligible.

Applicants must submit a complete official transcript as part of the application process. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April, and selected recipients must complete additional steps to accept the award and verify enrollment.

In addition to the scholarship program, Credit Human partners with Our Lady of the Lake University to offer free, on-campus financial wellness workshops. These sessions help students build practical skills around budgeting, credit, and long-term financial planning, supporting students as they work toward a stronger financial future.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply at credithuman.com/scholarship.

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Resiliencia Student Exhibition Opens This Week

Visual & New Media Arts is proud to present Resiliencia, a group exhibition by the Barrio Art & Popular Culture class commemorating Segundo de Febrero.

Students enrolled in Barrio Art & Popular Culture were tasked with creating a 2-D work of art that answers the question, “What does resilience look like?”

They studied the history of Segundo de Febrero events and read pamphlets from the OLLU archives from early organizing efforts in the 1980s. They found the original intentions behind the commemoration of Segundo de Febrero to still be relevant today.

While creating their projects, students considered themes of resilience in the face of adversity, the birth of the Chicano, La Candelaria, Indigenous Blessings of the Seeds, and living in the Borderlands.

Each student approached their work in a distinct manner, and incorporated materials that would best get their point across.

This semester, Barrio Art & Popular Culture is working with the Service-Learning Department to help restore the historic mural, The Treaty, at Cassiano Homes with the original artists that painted it in 1980, Anastacio (Tachi) Torres and Juan Hernandez. They are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our Westside community and getting hands-on experience with mural painting.

We invite you to the opening on Wednesday, February 4th at 5pm in the Sueltenfuss Library Community Room. For more information, please contact Professor Gonzalez at sbgonzalez@ollusa.edu.

Important Update for OLLU Employees Receiving Overtime: New Information on Your 2025 W‑2 Form

An important reminder for all OLLU employees who may have earned overtime pay in 2025 from the payroll department:

Starting with your 2025 Form W‑2, a few employees may notice a new entry in Box 14 labeled “Qual OT.”
This entry will appear only for employees who received Qualified Overtime in 2025 under federal overtime rules.

This amount represents the premium portion of your overtime pay (the extra half‑time required under federal law) and is being provided to help you take advantage of a potential tax benefit created by recent federal legislation.

Key Points to Know
  • Not all employees will see this entry.
Salaried employees who are exempt from overtime and hourly employees who did not earn any Qualified Overtime in 2025 will not have a “Qual OT” amount on their W‑2.
  • This amount does not affect your taxable wages or your paycheck.
  • It is provided for informational purposes only to assist you when filing your 2025 federal tax return.
  • You may use this figure when determining eligibility for the new overtime deduction on your federal return.

If you have questions about how this information may affect your tax filing, please consult a qualified tax professional or visit IRS.gov for more details.

Thank you for reviewing this update. We are committed to keeping you informed about changes that may benefit you.

Campus Important Numbers and Staff Faculty Directory Rebuild Completed

IT and HR have completed the rebuild of the university’s Campus Important Numbers and staff faculty directory. The helpful numbers are publicly accessible on the university webpage and ensure the best communication path when contacting the university.

The staff and faculty directory is located on the Saints Connect portal and on HR’s internal SharePoint site. This information is accessible only when logged into the OLLU network, as a measure to protect it from misuse. A Departmental Directory is also available on a separate tab next to the University Directory, allowing you to easily find direct departmental front desk numbers when needed.

Directory updates are made automatically as individuals are onboarded or offboarded. If you need to request changes to your personal information or departmental listing, please submit a Help Desk ticket to HR so updates can be made in Colleague or Dialpad, as appropriate.

New Next Level Prime Healthcare Benefits for OLLU Group Medical Plan

OLLU employees who are currently enrolled in the OLLU Group Medical Plan now have access to Next Level Prime, an added set of benefits designed to make healthcare more convenient, accessible, and personalized.

Through Next Level Prime, members now have access to:

  • 45+ Next Level clinic locations with care available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Primary, preventive, chronic, and urgent care, including annual physicals, sick visits, labs, X-rays for acute injuries, and more
  • 24/7 telemedicine and care navigation, even outside clinic hours
  • Health and wellness coaching focused on nutrition, exercise, and long-term healthy habits
  • Emotional wellness counseling, with support for stress, anxiety, depression, work-life challenges, and more
  • Weight loss solutions, including access to GLP-1 medications for qualifying members

The easiest way to get started is by downloading the Next Level mobile app, where employees can schedule appointments, connect with care navigators, and access virtual services.

For a full overview of services and how to take advantage of this benefit, employees are encouraged to review the attached Next Level Prime Overview.

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Westerdijk Martin Named RRAC Defensive Player of the Week

Alexandra Westerdijk Martin of Our Lady of the Lake University was named the Red River Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week for games played Jan. 19–25, recognizing a performance that was both statistically dominant and nationally significant. The senior guard anchored the Saints’ defense in a 53–51 victory over the University of North Texas at Dallas, producing a game-high 11 rebounds and a game-high seven steals in one of the lowest-scoring, most defensive-oriented contests of the week across the conference.

Westerdijk Martin’s rebounding effort included four offensive rebounds and seven defensive boards, providing OLLU with critical extra possessions and limiting UNTD’s second-chance opportunities in a two-point game. Her seven steals disrupted offensive rhythm throughout the night and were a central factor in OLLU’s ability to control tempo and close out the win.

On the season, Westerdijk Martin continues to distinguish herself as one of the most productive defensive players in the conference. She leads OLLU with 201 total rebounds and ranks second on the team with 214 points. In conference games, she leads the RRAC with 101 defensive rebounds, and across all games she is first in the conference in offensive rebounds. Nationally, she ranks first in the NAIA with 201 total rebounds, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game.

Westerdijk Martin’s consistency and defensive impact have been constant. Her ability to influence games through rebounding, steals, and positional defense continues to set her apart within the RRAC.

Saints Push UNT Dallas Wire to Wire in Hard-Fought Matchup

Our Lady of the Lake men’s basketball battled with resilience and effort but came up short in a 72–67 loss to UNT Dallas in a competitive contest that remained within reach throughout. Despite the final score, OLLU showed balance, toughness, and strong individual performances that reflected the team’s growth and composure.

The Saints were led offensively by Santiago Ochoa, who delivered an efficient and assertive performance. Ochoa finished with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, knocked down both of his three-point attempts, and pulled down nine rebounds, anchoring OLLU on both ends of the floor. His consistency kept the Saints in striking distance and set the tone for much of the game.

Barack Holland provided a strong spark off the bench, contributing 12 points in 17 minutes while shooting 5-of-8 from the field. Kenyon Elliott added 10 points and five rebounds, while Jermey Irwin chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, and two steals, showcasing OLLU’s effort on the glass and in transition. As a team, the Saints shot 43.3 percent from the field and were perfect at the free-throw line, converting all nine attempts.

Defensively, OLLU stayed active, recording seven steals and four blocks, with multiple players contributing to pressure and rim protection. While turnovers proved costly at key moments, the Saints continued to compete, matching UNT Dallas physicality and responding to scoring runs with poise.

Though the result did not fall in their favor, Our Lady of the Lake displayed discipline, depth, and strong execution against a tough opponent. The performance highlighted the Saints’ ability to compete at a high level and sets a solid foundation moving forward as they continue to build momentum throughout the season. The Saints will be back in action Thursday against Texas College at 7:30 PM CDT.

Our Lady of the Lake Holds Off UNT Dallas for 53–51 Victory

Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball earned a 53–51 victory over UNT Dallas, using balanced scoring, rebounding, and defensive pressure to secure the win.

OLLU shot 38.6 percent from the field (22-of-57) and held UNT Dallas to 34.5 percent shooting (20-of-58). The Saints also won the rebounding battle 41–34, including 13 offensive boards that led to second-chance opportunities.

Samantha Fields led OLLU with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, adding five rebounds, five steals, and two assists in 35 minutes. Macie Moss contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while Amya Miller-Singleton provided a strong spark off the bench with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting and five rebounds in 14 minutes. Alexandra Westerdijk Martin filled the stat sheet with six points, a game-high 11 rebounds, four assists, and seven steals. Shayla Dede added five points, two assists, and a block, and Isabella Jaramillo finished with four points and four rebounds.

Defensively, OLLU forced 28 turnovers and recorded 16 steals, limiting UNT Dallas offensive rhythm throughout the game. The Saints committed 30 turnovers of their own, but offset them with rebounding and timely scoring.

OLLU went 5-of-7 from the free-throw line, while UNT Dallas shot 5-of-10. The Saints also knocked down four three-pointers to UNT Dallas six but made up the difference with interior scoring and rebounding. The win was sealed by OLLU’s defensive stops late, preserving the two-point margin at the final buzzer. The Saints will be back in action next week against Texas College at home on January 29th at 5:30 PM CDT.

OLLU Men Roll Past Texas College

Our Lady of the Lake men’s basketball delivered a strong, complete performance in a 94–72 victory over Texas College, controlling the game with physicality on both ends of the floor.

OLLU set the tone early by attacking the paint and crashing the glass, finishing with a decisive 54–31 rebounding advantage. Kenyon Elliott anchored that effort with a double-double, posting 17 points and 10 rebounds while battling consistently inside. Isaiah Moore was nearly perfect offensively, scoring 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, giving the Saints a reliable presence in the lane.

The Saints offense flowed efficiently through multiple contributors. Jaydin Morin-Bishop led all scorers with 15 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc and adding two steals in an active two-way effort. Off the bench, Barack Holland and Davonte Durst each provided 12 points, with Durst also dishing out six assists to keep the offense moving. OLLU finished with 22 assists on 35 made field goals, a clear reflection of unselfish play and disciplined execution.

Defensively, OLLU applied steady pressure and forced 20 Texas College turnovers, turning stops into transition opportunities. The Saints also recorded 12 steals as a team, disrupting rhythm and limiting Texas College’s ability to build sustained momentum. While Texas College was led by Jason Roseberry Jr.’s 21-point performance and Gelil Ward’s 20 points off the bench, OLLU consistently answered scoring runs and maintained control.

Depth proved to be a difference-maker, as OLLU received scoring contributions from 11 different players and outscored Texas College in efficiency and effort over the final stretch. Shooting 46.1 percent from the field and holding a clear advantage on the boards, the Saints steadily pulled away and closed the game with composure.

The win showcased OLLU’s ability to combine physical play, ball movement, and defensive intensity, reinforcing the team’s identity and momentum as the season continues. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Jarvis Christian at 3:00 PM CDT.

OLLU Pulls Away Late to Defeat Texas College

Our Lady of the Lake women’s basketball earned a hard-fought victory over Texas College, closing the game with a 59–50 win built on defensive pressure, timely shooting, and composure at the free-throw line.

The Saints set the tone early with active defense, forcing Texas College into turnovers and contested looks throughout the night. OLLU finished with 10 steals and limited Texas College to 34.4 percent shooting from the field and scoreless shooting from beyond the arc. Those defensive stops proved crucial in maintaining momentum during key stretches of the game.

Shayla Dede led the way for OLLU with a team-high 17 points, knocking down three three-pointers and adding four steals on the defensive end. Alexandra Westerdijk Martin delivered a strong all-around performance with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Isabella Jaramillo provided an efficient nine points, hitting two three-pointers and helping space the floor. Macie Moss controlled the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds, giving the Saints second-chance opportunities despite a challenging shooting night.

OLLU’s bench played a valuable role, particularly Zariah Todd, who contributed six points, four rebounds, and three assists while bringing energy on both ends of the floor. The Saints also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 19 of 25 attempts, a decisive advantage in a tightly contested matchup.

Texas College was led by Jakairi Blacknell, who scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Taryanna McNary added 12 points on efficient shooting. Codee Roland recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but Texas College struggled to overcome 29 turnovers, which repeatedly halted offensive rhythm.

With disciplined defense, balanced scoring, and poise in late-game situations, Our Lady of the Lake secured the victory against the Steers. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Jarvis Christian at 1:00 PM CDT.