OLLUNewsletter

El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference Kickoff on February 2

Our Lady of the Lake University will host the El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference: Stories of Resilience Since the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a Blessing of the Throat mass and a Blessing of the Seeds Ceremony with a dance performance by Grupo Xinatli Danza Azteca in St. Anne’s Courtyard. The program will run through Friday, February 6.

The conference marks the return of the Segundo de Febrero observance to OLLU, where the tradition originated in the late 1970s as part of campus-based social justice initiatives. The event explores the lasting cultural, linguistic, and social impact of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) through scholarly presentations, community dialogue, cultural performances, and archival exhibits.

Highlights include discussions on language and identity, panels featuring Mexican American Studies scholars, an exhibit of original Segundo de Febrero materials from the OLLU Archives, and a community mural restoration project in collaboration with local partners.

The event is open to the public and invites students, faculty, and community members to engage with this living history and its continued relevance today.

View the schedule & Register for free

OLLU Celebrates $2 Million Raised and Launches Community Matching Challenge

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrated a major milestone last Thursday, January 22, recognizing the successful completion of a $2 million fundraising goal achieved in 2025. The celebration brought together members of the OLLU community to reflect on the impact of collective generosity and to look ahead toward an ambitious new challenge.

During the event, the University President acknowledged the dedication and support of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners who made this achievement possible. Building on that momentum, the President issued a call to action for the OLLU community to match the $2 million raised by the end of 2026—doubling the impact and further strengthening the University’s mission.

The celebration also featured remarks from OLLU student-athlete Katherine Delgadillo, who shared her perspective on how donor support directly impacts students and their experiences at the Lake.

“Your support places keys into students’ hands, keys that unlock opportunity, purpose, and hope…thank you for believing in students like me…” – Katherine Delgadillo

As the University looks ahead to 2026, this matching challenge serves as an invitation for the entire OLLU community to continue investing in the future of the Lake. Together, we can build on this momentum and create even greater opportunities for current and future Saints.

Make A Donation

Read the full story here.

Cynthia Rocha Appointed Acting Executive Director for Advancement

Cynthia Rocha has been appointed Acting Executive Director for Advancement at Our Lady of the Lake University, serving in this role through June 2026, while continuing her responsibilities as Director of Alumni Relations.

In this expanded capacity, Cynthia will provide leadership and continuity for Advancement initiatives, supporting alumni engagement, fundraising efforts, and donor relations aligned with the University’s mission. Her deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships with alumni and supporters, and proven leadership make her well-positioned to guide Advancement during this transitional period.

2025 W‑2 Forms – Availability and Access

W‑2 forms for calendar year 2025 will be available digitally through Employee Self-Service via Saints Connect beginning Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Digital W‑2s (Electronic Consent Given)

Employees who have previously provided electronic consent will be able to access and download their W‑2s directly from Employee Self-Service on January 28.

Please note: OLLU will not mail W‑2s to current employees who have given electronic consent. Employees must print their W‑2s from Employee Self-Service.

Mailed W‑2s (No Electronic Consent)

Employees who have not given electronic consent will receive their W‑2s via U.S. mail at the address on file with Human Resources.

W‑2 forms were mailed and postmarked on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
W‑2s cannot be picked up in person by current or former employees.

Re‑Mail Requests

Payroll will begin processing requests to re‑mail W‑2s after February 6, 2026.

If you have not received your mailed W‑2 after that date, please email payroll@ollusa.edu.

Important Update: New Information on Your 2025 W‑2 Form

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.

Questions

For any questions regarding your W‑2, please contact the Payroll Office at:
payroll@ollusa.edu

How to Access Your W‑2 Online or Give Electronic Consent

Access to Employee Self-Service is available through the Saints Connect dashboard:

https://experience.elluciancloud.com/olotlu

Once logged in:

Go to the Employee Self-Service card.
Select Tax Info to view your W‑2 or update your consent preferences.

Grubhub Has Arrived at OLLU! 🍽️📱

Grubhub is officially live at Our Lady of the Lake University! To celebrate the launch, we hosted a free merch giveaway during Community Hour last Thursday, featuring bags, utensils, squishes, pins, hats, sweaters, T-shirts, bottles, and socks—thank you to everyone who stopped by and joined the fun.

We’re also excited to share that our dining Instagram community is growing fast! Thanks to the launch, the number of followers on @ollueats more than tripled. Be sure to follow along for the latest updates, announcements, and information about your on-campus dining experience.

Dr. Charlin Jones-Chavez Selected as 2026 NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship Recipient

Dr. Charlin Jones-Chavez, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has been selected as a 2026 NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship recipient to attend the 2026 Institute for New AVPs and the 2026 AVP Symposium in Denver, Colorado January 22-26.

The NASPA Institute for New AVPs is a foundational three-day learning and networking experience designed to support and develop AVPs in their unique and challenging roles on campus. The Institute is specifically designed for AVPs and other senior-level “number twos” who report to the highest-ranking student affairs officer and who are within their first two years in the role. This is an opportune time for Dr. Jones-Chavez to attend as she is closing out her first year as AVP at OLLU.

The NASPA AVP Symposium is a unique and innovative three-day program that supports and develops AVPs and other “number twos” in their campus leadership roles. Leveraging the expertise of sitting AVPs from across the nation, the Symposium provides high-level content through engaging, practice-driven sessions focused on leadership, strategy, and institutional impact.

The NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship provides financial support for NASPA members facing hardship to attend professional development events by covering registration costs. This recognition reflects both professional excellence and NASPA’s investment in Dr. Jones-Chavez’s continued growth as a senior leader in higher education.

“I am deeply grateful to NASPA for this opportunity and investment. I am also thankful for the support from Jennifer Bendele, Vice President for Students, to engage in this meaningful professional development. I’m excited to learn alongside colleagues from across the country and to bring back new insight, strategies, and perspective that will strengthen our work and continue advancing student success at OLLU.”

– Dr. Jones-Chavez

Saints Stay Competitive in Physical Test Against LSU Shreveport

Our Lady of the Lake women’s basketball battled throughout the evening but came up short in a 78–61 loss to LSU Shreveport on Thursday night in Shreveport. Despite the final score, the Saints showed fight and composure against a physically aggressive opponent and remained competitive for much of the contest.

The Saints opened the game with confidence, moving the ball effectively and finding quality looks on the offensive end. Macie Moss set the tone early, attacking the defense and stretching the floor, while Alexandra Westerdijk Martin controlled the tempo with steady decision-making. Our Lady of the Lake matched LSU Shreveport possession for possession in the opening quarter and stayed within reach by playing disciplined basketball and limiting trips to the free-throw line for the hosts.

As LSU Shreveport increased defensive pressure, the Saints continued to respond with poise. Moss led all OLLU scorers with 19 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Westerdijk Martin followed with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Samantha Fields added 10 points, including two timely three-pointers, while Shayla Dede contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists while working relentlessly on both ends of the floor.

Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake competed hard against one of the top scorers in the conference. The Saints forced LSU Shreveport into contested shots and held them near the perimeter for long stretches. While turnovers proved costly at times, many came as a result of aggressive defense rather than lack of execution, and the Saints continued to fight through every possession.

Off the bench, Evangeline Hernandez provided an important spark, scoring five points in 14 minutes and adding energy when the Saints needed a lift. Amya Miller-Singleton contributed on the boards, helping OLLU battle in the paint against a larger lineup. Overall, the Saints shot an efficient 45.3 percent from the field and an impressive 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, reflecting strong offensive fundamentals.

Even as LSU Shreveport pulled ahead in the second half, Our Lady of the Lake never stopped competing, showing resilience and togetherness until the final buzzer. The Saints finished with 18 assists, a testament to their unselfish play and commitment to team basketball. While the result did not go their way, the performance highlighted the growth, effort, and determination of the OLLU program as it continues to build momentum moving forward. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Texas A&M-Texarkana.

Saints Use Hot Shooting to Defeat LCU

Our Lady of the Lake delivered an efficient offensive performance to defeat Louisiana Christian 79–64, using strong shooting and balanced scoring to pull away over the course of the game.

OLLU shot 59.2 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from three-point range, converting 10 three-pointers on 19 attempts. Jaydin Morin-Bishop led the Saints with 18 points, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc while shooting 6-of-8 overall. Isaiah Moore added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Barack Holland provided a spark off the bench with 11 points on 4-of-7 from the floor.

Kenyon Elliott contributed six points and a team-high six assists, helping facilitate an offense that totaled 18 assists on 29 made field goals. Arthur Celestin Jr. anchored the interior with eight rebounds, while OLLU finished with a 35–26 rebounding advantage and committed just 14 fouls.

Louisiana Christian was led by Bryce Weinmunson, who scored a game-high 21 points and added six rebounds and three steals. Justice Kelly followed with 14 points and six rebounds, while Corey Lombard Jr. and Tomario Thomas Jr. combined for 15 points off the bench. Despite shooting 30.8 percent from three-point range, LCU struggled to slow OLLU’s perimeter efficiency and transition scoring.

Defensively, the Saints forced 15 turnovers and limited Louisiana Christian to 37.7 percent shooting from the field. OLLU’s ability to score efficiently at all three levels and maintain control on both ends allowed the Saints to build and sustain their advantage en route to the 15-point victory. The Saints will be back in action on Thursday away against LSUS at 7:30 PM CDT.

Message From The President

Marther Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, on the West Side of that beautiful city, to his parents, Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. As a young man, Dr. King was deeply shaped by faith, the church, and an early interest in justice, education, and the dignity of the human person. Those interests matured through his schooling and led him to Morehouse College, where he graduated in 1948 with a degree in sociology. On this day, as we reflect on his legacy, I am struck by how closely anchored his principles and words were to our Catholic faith.

One such anchor is human dignity. Scripture speaks of Imago Dei, that every person is created in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 tells us, “So God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God he created them.” Dr. King’s work was fundamentally about restoring dignity. Educational attainment remains one of the most enduring ways a person can honor that dignity, because it affirms worth, potential, and agency. Here at OLLU, we get to provide students not just degrees, but livelihoods rooted in their values.

Another anchor is education as a moral act, not merely an economic one; the formation of the whole person. Luke 2:52 reminds us, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Education forms the mind, heart, character, and skills. Dr. King understood education as essential to both social mobility and moral clarity, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that education would remain a pathway to freedom and responsibility.

A third anchor comes from Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Dr. King famously asked, “Where do we go from here?”, and he asked not out of despair, but as an invitation to all of us, without exception, to think critically, to work meaningfully, to serve faithfully, and to live with dignity. At its essence, the question was directed to every person and every institution: to live into a purpose beyond itself.

Through our work at OLLU, each of us gets to answer that question through the power of education—by forming lives of purpose, dignity, and service for the common good; all the while remaining grounded in faith, guided by purpose, and committed to the dignity of every person we serve.

Reminder: RSVP for Special Announcement Celebration on January 22

Faculty and staff are reminded to please RSVP by accepting the calendar invitation for the Special Announcement Celebration taking place on Thursday, January 22, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Sueltenfuss Library.

This special celebration will recognize an important milestone in support of Our Lady of the Lake University. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage all invited employees to attend.

If you have not yet responded, please be sure to accept the calendar invite to help us plan accordingly. We look forward to celebrating this exciting moment together as a campus community.