OLLUNewsletter

Saints Continue Hot Streak with 81–56 Win Over Southwest

Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor, defeating Southwest 81–56 behind efficient shooting and strong rebounding.

The Saints established control early and maintained it throughout the contest, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and knocking down 10 three-pointers. OLLU’s balanced offensive attack featured four players scoring in double figures, led by Alexandra Westerdijk Martin, who finished with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting. She also dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, providing a steady interior presence on both ends.

Shayla Dede added 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists while playing 36 minutes, consistently creating opportunities for herself and her teammates. Macie Moss contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, and Evangeline Hernandez provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including three made three-pointers. Samantha Fields was perfect from beyond the arc, going 3-for-3 on her way to nine points.

OLLU controlled the rebounding battle 44–20, limiting Southwest to just six offensive rebounds and few second-chance opportunities. The Saints also shared the ball effectively, recording 17 assists, with Isabella Jaramillo leading the way with six assists to go along with six rebounds.

Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake held Southwest to 22.7 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. Southwest was led by Karinna Ortiz, who scored 22 points, and Seniya Wilson, who added 16, largely from the free-throw line. However, consistent defensive pressure and disciplined team defense prevented Southwest from building any sustained momentum. Our Lady of the Lake secured a convincing victory and continued to show depth and balance across the lineup. The Saints now have won four in a row and look to extend that streak as they will go up against North American on Thursday at 5:30 PM CDT at home.

Homecoming 2026: Save the Date!

Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to welcome back Saints alumni, friends, and family for a celebration of 131 years of community & tradition at Homecoming 2026.

This will be a weekend full of fun events kicking off on Friday, February 27th, and running through March 1st. While more details will be available soon, we’d like to invite you to explore our alumni resources in the meantime, and look forward to inviting you all back to campus.

For the latest updates on Homecoming 2026, visit the official Homecoming page on the OLLU website. Stay tuned! Wings up!

OLLU Directors Liliana Gutierrez and Newman Wong Elected to TxAHEA Executive Committee

Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to celebrate the leadership and service of Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Liliana Gutierrez, and Director of Institutional Research & Analytics, Newman Wong, who were recently elected to serve three-year terms on the Executive Committee of the Texas Association for Higher Education Assessment (TxAHEA).

Director of Institutional Research & Analytics, Newman Wong

This election is a proud moment for the entire OLLU community, as they will both now work to advance assessment practices in higher education, representing OLLU within a statewide professional organization committed to improving student learning and institutional effectiveness across Texas.

In addition to her role with TxAHEA, Liliana Gutierrez also currently serves on the Planning Committee for National Assessment Week as the South Representative. National Assessment Week brings together higher education professionals from across the country to share strategies, research, and best practices related to assessment and continuous improvement.

Congratulations to both Liliana Gutierrez and Newman Wong— the OLLU community is proud to be represented by their ongoing commitment to excellence in assessment, collaboration, and professional engagement.

A Message From President Chávez

Dear OLLU Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share that one of our beloved OLLUmni has been called home to God. Colonel Gil Coronado (BA ’75) passed peacefully on Saturday morning at the age of 89.

A proud son of San Antonio’s West Side, Gil was raised just down the street from our campus on Veracruz Street. His life story is one of resilience, grace, and providence. Though he dropped out of Sidney Lanier High School at the age of 15, God had other plans. Through the care and vision of one of our Sisters, a pathway was created for Gil to come to OLLU and complete his sociology degree, an education his superiors encouraged him to pursue for professional advancement. What emerged was not only a graduate of OLLU, but a leader whose legacy will be felt for generations.

Gil is affectionately and respectfully known as the father of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Through his vision, leadership, and tireless commitment, Public Law 100-402 was enacted on August 17, 1988, expanding National Hispanic Heritage Week into a full month and authorizing President Ronald Reagan to designate September 15 through October 15 annually as National Hispanic Heritage Month. I cannot overstate the national and cultural significance of his contribution.

As I remember Gil, I am deeply grateful to him for many reasons, but especially for his friendship. From the very first days of my arrival at OLLU, he welcomed me into his home and into his life. In every interaction, Gil embodied values that endure: respect for one another, meeting people eye to eye, holding one’s head and chin up, honoring one’s word through action, and being proud of one’s roots. He was always teaching, always mentoring—often reminding me to “retire early, and retire often,” his way of encouraging a full and faithful life.

Gil was also a steadfast champion for education. He believed deeply that success begins with education and he often spoke of the three Es: education, effort, and excellence. Last year, he published his memoir, Barrio Boy, a powerful reflection on his journey and the values that guided his life. In Barrio Boy, Gil recounts his story—from a troubled childhood and early encounters with the justice system to a life of public service, military leadership, and advocacy for veterans. His life is a testament to perseverance, dignity, and the transformative power of education. It is, in many ways, a lived and model expression of the boundless potential within each person when opportunity meets determination.

Colonel Gil Coronado was a model American citizen, a faithful servant, and a man of profound dignity.

“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” (Wisdom 3:1)

Gil, dear friend—you will be deeply missed. May you rest in eternal peace.

With prayer and gratitude,

Abel

Super Bowl Sunday Mass Update

In observance of Super Bowl Sunday, Mass at Our Lady of the Lake University will be celebrated at 3:00pm in order to allow members of our community to attend both Mass and Super Bowl gatherings.

Updated Mass Details:

Date: Sunday, February 8
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Sacred Heart Chapel

All students, faculty, staff, and community members are warmly invited to join us for this special afternoon Mass. We look forward to celebrating together before the evening’s festivities begin.

For questions or additional information, please contact University Ministry at ministry@ollusa.edu.

We can’t wait to see you there!

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.

Welcome_to_Next_Level_Prime_2025 Download

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.

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.