We are delighted to recognize our graduating López Scholars: Annika Litterio, who earned a B.A. in Psychology (Pre-Counseling); Adeliy Vargas, who earned a B.S.W. in Social Work; and Alessandra, a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Psychology. As the first graduates of the Hector and Gloria Lopez Scholars Cohort, they have helped mark a meaningful milestone for a program made possible by the generous Hector and Gloria López Foundation gift to Our Lady of the Lake University in 2024.
Through their hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence, these scholars have made a lasting impact. Alessandra proudly represents El Paso, TX, while Adeliy and Annika continue to represent San Antonio with pride.
We celebrate their achievements and the bright futures ahead of them.
This past Saturday, April 25, saw the fruition of a year-long collaborative project. On a patch of land between the softball field and Elmendorf Lake, OLLU students and employees, along with community partners, erected a 16-foot-tall chimney swift tower. Chimney swifts are for birds whose numbers are in severe decline in San Antonio due to a lack of nesting sites. Traditionally, birds nest within chimneys, but with more metal chimneys these days, birds can’t find safe places to roost. The chimney swift towers are essentially tall, wooden boxes with textured perches built inside to satisfy the birds’ needs.
OLLU’s new campus chimney swift tower was born out of a collaboration with the Bexar County Audubon Society. Last Fall, the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism partnered with faculty from the Department of Mathematics and Sciences to write an Audubon community mini-grant to fund birdhouses and educational materials on campus.
The grant request included the tower on our campus and also traditional nestboxes for OLLU and our neighbors’ campuses: Rodriguez Montessori Elementary School, Little Flower School, and the Las Palmas public library. In addition, the grant allowed for binoculars and educational materials developed in our biology laboratory classes for the children and the public. The new OLLU Audubon student club was involved with the planning and logistics of this project every step of the way.
The construction of the tower took many hands as lots of partners lined up for the project. The cutting of the wood and pre-assembly of different tower modules was completed at Sidney Lanier High School by students in the Career and Technical Education program with their teacher, Mr. Benjamin Rodrigues. The outer skin of the tower was then painted with a colorful mural depicting a rosary, chimney swifts, flowers and the word “OLLU” in a collaborative event last week by students in the Art Ink and Alliance clubs along with faculty from the Visual & New Media Arts program. Also last week, students from the TExAS FAST Scholars program stepped up to help lay the foundation in time for it to properly cure for Saturday.
All of this came together with the final assembly of the tower this past weekend which included OLLU students involved in the vOLLUnteer Unity Council, faculty from Environmental Science and Sustainability, and high school students. All of it came together not just physically but on a deeper level when the participants were joined by Sisters Rose and Anita from the Congregation of Divine Providence who helped bless the tower and recognize its importance as a tool for rebuilding and caring for fragile landscapes.
Everyone is invited to walk down the path on Elmendorf Lake Park or cross 24th Street across from the Chapel and stroll down the road to take a look at how OLLU is helping the environment.
Fort Worth, Texas- The OLLU women’s golf team entered the Spring Invite with a clear sense of purpose, competing against a deep and experienced field that included strong performances from Blinn, Texas Wesleyan, and Weatherford. Across three rounds, the tournament tested consistency, resilience, and composure, and OLLU’s individuals embraced that challenge from start to finish.
Samantha Garcia led the way for OLLU, finishing 19th overall at +25. Her rounds of 8-over, 9-over, and 8-over reflected steady determination on a course that proved difficult for much of the field. Garcia maintained composure throughout the event, limiting large mistakes and continuing to battle through each round, a performance that underscored her competitiveness against higher-ranked opponents.
Close behind, Grayson Weiler placed 20th at +27. After a challenging opening round of 14-over, Weiler responded with improved play, posting rounds of 8-over and 5-over to close the tournament. Her ability to adjust and finish stronger highlighted both resilience and growth as the tournament progressed.
Samantha Ziegler rounded out the OLLU representatives, finishing 35th at +78. Despite a difficult event, she continued to compete through all three rounds, demonstrating persistence and commitment. Each round presented learning opportunities, and her effort contributed to the team’s overall presence in the field.
At the top of the leaderboard, Blinn’s Daniah Syed claimed medalist honors at 5-under, one of the few players to finish under par. Texas Wesleyan’s Makena Junkin and Natalie Miksovska followed, while consistent team showings from Blinn and Weatherford kept the competition tight throughout the event.
For OLLU, the Spring Invite served as both a measuring stick and a building block. Competing against a strong field provided valuable experience, and the individual efforts of Garcia, Weiler, and Ziegler reflected a team continuing to develop its competitive edge. As the season progresses, the lessons learned from this tournament are likely to shape stronger performances ahead.
San Antonio, Texas- Our Lady of the Lake baseball closed out a three-game Red River Athletic Conference series against Louisiana State University–Alexandria with a mix of resilience, offensive flashes, and hard-fought moments, ultimately dropping two of the three contests to the Generals.
The Saints opened the series with one of their strongest performances, rallying for a 5–3 victory behind a composed outing from Donovan Gamez. After LSU-A struck early with a three-run second inning, OLLU responded with poise rather than urgency. Diego Zuniga delivered a key two-RBI single in the third, capitalizing on defensive miscues to cut the deficit. The Saints continued to apply pressure in the middle innings, tying the game in the fifth on Jacob Cueva‘s RBI single before taking the lead on an aggressive sequence that saw Alex Rodriguez steal home. Brett Atkinson added insurance in the sixth, and Gamez closed the door, scattering six hits across seven innings to secure the win.
LSU-A answered in Game 2 with an offensive surge that proved difficult to contain. The Generals plated seven runs in the first three innings, taking advantage of early opportunities and consistent contact at the plate. Despite the deficit, OLLU showed persistence offensively, matching LSU-A with 10 hits. Jack Kalisky led the way with three hits and an RBI, while Juan Garcia added a run-scoring double. Aiden Gonzalez and Christian Martinez also contributed multi-hit efforts, but the early gap proved too much to overcome in an 8–2 loss.
The series finale offered a competitive back-and-forth battle that remained within reach into the late innings. OLLU generated timely offense, including extra-base hits from Drew Saucedo and Christian Martinez, while Aiden Gonzalez added a triple to spark scoring opportunities. The Saints built momentum early, but LSU-A responded with steady production and patience at the plate, drawing key walks and capitalizing on scoring chances. Entering the final innings, the game remained tight before the Generals edged ahead, ultimately handing OLLU a 7–5 defeat.
Across the series, OLLU demonstrated its ability to compete offensively, recording double-digit hits in two of the three games and consistently finding ways to respond under pressure. Kalisky highlighted the weekend by becoming the all-time Our Lady Of The Lake University Baseball Hits leader. The Saints Game 1 comeback highlighted their composure and opportunistic play, while the final game underscored their competitiveness against a conference opponent capable of sustaining offensive pressure.
Though the series ended in a 1–2 result, OLLU’s performance reflected a team that continued to battle across all nine innings, showing depth in the lineup and determination on the mound against one of the conference’s top contenders.
New Orleans, LA- Our Lady of the Lake University’s women’s tennis team entered the matchup against Louisiana State University–Alexandria with determination, knowing they would be tested by one of the Red River Athletic Conference’s strongest programs. Despite the final 4–0 scoreline favoring LSU-A, the contest reflected moments of resilience and competitiveness from OLLU that went beyond the numbers.
In doubles play, OLLU showed early signs of cohesion, particularly from the pairing of Muller and Guerrero at the No. 2 position, where they were locked in a tight unfinished battle at 3–5 before play was halted. The No. 3 team of Laure and Peters also kept pressure on their opponents, battling through long rallies before falling 6–4. At the top spot, Pisar and Chambon faced a tough challenge against a disciplined LSU-A duo, ultimately dropping the match 6–2. While the doubles point slipped away, the effort across courts demonstrated OLLU’s willingness to compete point-for-point.
Singles play proved equally demanding. Guerrero at No. 1 and Pisar at No. 2 encountered opponents who capitalized on consistency and depth, but both OLLU players continued to fight through extended exchanges and difficult service games. At No. 3, Peters was engaged in one of the more competitive matchups of the day before it went unfinished, showing flashes of aggressive baseline play that kept the outcome uncertain. Laure and Muller also found themselves in unfinished contests, each pushing their matches into competitive stretches that reflected OLLU’s persistence even as the team result moved out of reach.
Although LSU-A ultimately secured the sweep, the match offered valuable experience for OLLU. Several courts featured tightly contested games and unfinished sets that suggested the scoreline did not fully capture the level of competition. For OLLU, the performance highlighted areas for growth while reinforcing the team’s ability to stay composed and engaged against a high-level conference opponent.
The Saints finish the season 10-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
We’re making an important update to the Lake Weekly schedule. Beginning next Tuesday, 5/5 (Cinco de Mayo), Lake Weekly will be distributed on Tuesday mornings instead of Monday. Regardless of the schedule, the deadline will remain on Thursdays by 5 pm.
This change allows our MarComm team to step away from Sunday production work and have that day as a true day of rest, while still continuing to create engaging and meaningful stories for the OLLU community.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we make this positive adjustment.
I am writing to share with you some exciting news. Today, Bexar County Commissioner’s Court approved our proposal for a grant of $1.8M for the completion of the Chapel Auditorium’s restoration.
This grant will fulfill our mission that started in 2023. The auditorium, below Sacred Heart Chapel, was started in 1886 and took 28-years to complete, opening its doors in 1925. The auditorium was once the convening place for over 200 nuns receiving orientation. More recently, the auditorium was also the host for orientation for our students.
When completed, in late 2027, with modern technology, the auditorium will host career fairs, health fairs, small business forums, and, yes, orientations for our students.
We will share this news with the larger San Antonio community in a few days. But, for now, I wanted to share this exciting news with you first to show you that we are making progress in our efforts; and to thank you for your cooperation and support.
Our Lady of the Lake University will celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with its annual student-led event highlighting sustainability initiatives, environmental stewardship, and campus collaboration.
Organized by Environmental Science and Sustainability (ESS) students, the Earth Day celebration has been a campus tradition since 2019. This year’s event brings together students, faculty, community partners, and local sustainability organizations for hands-on activities and learning opportunities centered on caring for the environment and supporting sustainable communities.
The main event will take place during Community Hour in the Mall Area from 12–2 p.m., featuring tabling by campus departments and sustainability-focused community organizations, interactive activities, giveaways, and a food truck for attendees.
This year’s celebration will also showcase several student-driven sustainability projects across campus, including the introduction of OLLU’s new campus garden and hydroponics systems, spaces developed and maintained by students to promote environmental education and sustainable food practices. Students have also contributed to the revitalization of the CDP Peace Garden, expanding green spaces that support reflection, learning, and community engagement.
In partnership with the local National Audubon Society, students will unveil newly installed specialized birdhouses funded through a collaborative conservation project designed to support local bird habitats and biodiversity.
The Earth Day event reflects OLLU’s continued commitment to living out the principles of Laudato Si’ and advancing university-led sustainability efforts within urban communities. Through student leadership and cross-campus collaboration, OLLU continues to model how environmental responsibility and community engagement go hand in hand.
Students, employees, and community members are invited to join the celebration and learn how small actions can contribute to lasting environmental impact.
Our Lady of the Lake University brought Fiesta energy to campus during its annual Confetti 5K Run/Walk, welcoming students, employees, alumni, families, and community members for a morning focused on wellness, school spirit, and community connection.
Participants gathered on campus to run and walk the 5K route through Elemendorf Lake, celebrating one of OLLU’s official Fiesta events. Runners of all experience levels joined the event, from competitive racers to first-time participants, creating a strong campus turnout.
The event recognized the fastest runners across divisions while also highlighting OLLU’s Fiesta spirit, with participants showing school pride through festive attire, confetti-filled celebrations, and team participation.
The Confetti 5K continues to serve as a campus tradition that brings the university and surrounding community together during Fiesta season. The event reflects OLLU’s commitment to student engagement, health and wellness, and community celebration.
OLLU extends its appreciation to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors whose support made this year’s Confetti 5K Run/Walk possible.
Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrated the remarkable leadership, service, scholarship, and campus impact of students, student organizations, and advisors during the 2026 Student Leadership Awards Ceremony. The annual event recognized individuals and groups whose dedication has strengthened the OLLU community and reflected the University’s mission and values.
This year’s honorees represent the very best of OLLU through their commitment to leadership, involvement, academic excellence, service, and community building. Awards presented throughout the evening recognized contributions across student life, residence life, service, ministry, athletics, and student organizations.
2026 Student Leadership Awards Honorees
Senior Wings Up Achievement Award: An honor for a senior student leader who has made an overall impact in academic, co-curricular, and experiential opportunities. This student lives and represents the Core Values of Our Lady of the Lake University.
• Bethany Garr
Providence Award: Presented to a student who carries the charism and values of the Sisters of Divine Providence.
• Anna Mayorga
St. Catherine’s Medal: Presented to a student who demonstrates the high ideals of a Catholic college education through leadership and service to the campus community.
• Amaris Rivera
Student Organization Academic Excellence Award: This award honors the student organization with the highest cumulative GPA, an organization that has truly modeled what it means to balance involvement and academics with excellence.
• vOLLUnteer Unity Council
Unsung Hero Award: Recognizes students who have positively influenced a program, team, or organization through behind-the-scenes efforts.
• Celia Vera, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.
• Joshua Mendez, Environmental Science and Sustainability Program
Bridge Builder Award: Recognizes students who have worked to establish or support connections between students’ groups or individuals. The areas of collaboration can include collaborative events, exploration of diverse cultures, education about issues that have challenged the campus, or other multicultural offerings.
• Katherine Delgadillo, Saints Programming Board
Rising Star Leader Award: Awarded to a student leader who has shown exceptional potential and actively contributed to their team, organization, or leadership role.
• Briana De La Cruz, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.
• Jorge Sisnero, TExAS FAST
• Maria Sofia Lundy, Saints Programming Board
Champion of Character Award: Presented to a student athlete who exemplifies exceptional character and has made significant contributions to their athletic team both on the field and in the classroom.
• Bethany Garr, Women’s Soccer and Women’s Track & Field
• Sean Lin, Men’s Track & Field and Drumline
Student Leader Excellence Award: Awarded to a student leader who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and leadership in their role.
• Briana Mata, National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
• Bethany Garr, Student Government Association
• Monzerrate Calvillo, National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
• Celia Vera, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.
OLLU Achievement Award: Distinction of leadership and integrity award presented to students who demonstrate a willingness to volunteer and take leadership initiative in multiple roles within the campus community.
• Alessandra Solorzano, Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.
• Katherine Delgadillo, Saints Programming Board
• Cesar Reyes, Cyber Saints
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: The Advisor of the Year Award recognizes a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond in guiding, supporting, and empowering student leaders and student organizations.
• Dr. Chloe Lash, OLLU Audubon Chapter
Student Organization Star of Blue Nation: This award honors an organization that creates meaningful opportunities for students, fosters community, and contributes to the holistic development of its members while supporting the mission and values of the University.
• Cyber Saints
Outstanding Service Organization Award National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
Outstanding Student Volunteer Award Victoria Ramirez
Saints Service Award Victoria Ramirez and Leilah Gaitan
Rookie Resident Assistant of the Year Viviana Connolly
Resident Assistant of the Year Viviana Connolly
Residence Life Program of the Year – Spring Cleaning with Meaning Caleb Saenz, Viviana Connolly, and Robert Flores
Residence Life Program of the Year – Battle of the Dorms Jaiyden Cabrera and Viviana Connolly
Residence Life Bulletin Board of the Year – Fantastic 4 Monique Jimenez
Residence Life Bulletin Board of the Year – Ghostbusters Mia Hernandez
The Student Leadership Awards serve as an important reminder of the many ways OLLU students lead — whether through visible leadership roles, academic achievement, service to others, mentorship, advocacy, or quiet dedication behind the scenes. This year’s recipients have each made a meaningful mark on the University community, and OLLU is proud to celebrate their accomplishments.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Student Leadership Awards winners for their outstanding contributions and continued commitment to living out the spirit of OLLU.
