Author: OLLUNewsletter

Student Spotlight: Valeria Peña

How has OLLU shaped me as a student and prepared me for my business goals?

OLLU has equipped me with all the tools necessary to step up in the big world. Being a business major, I had amazing faculty, mentors, staff, and coaches who are highly accomplished and knowledgeable in their fields, and they are constantly trying to get you to think not through the textbook but through the real world. That’s an advantage I can say I’m getting as I’m about to graduate. This real-world approach gave me all the right tools to carve my own path, and the environment at OLLU made it feel safe—like if I had made a wrong turn, I would be safely led the right way. I joined great clubs like First Gen and McNair, and I even started my own business club. My time at OLLU has been well spent, and I’m glad I made the most of my time here.

What I want my legacy to be

Coming from the border city of Laredo, Texas, as a first-gen student on an athletic scholarship for cross country and track, I hope to leave a legacy as a source of inspiration. I want to lead and inspire a greater percentage of Hispanic graduates to pursue their dreams. I hope to be used as a tool and guide for students to ask questions and teach, just as my professors have encouraged us to treat them. I hope to continue to expand my education and get my Ph.D. somewhere along the way in the future and come back to teach wherever it might take me, but always share about my time at OLLU.

New Cafeteria Mural Celebrates Student Art

The Mexican American Visual Arts class with Professor Gonzalez has completed their newest mural, located in the Cafeteria.

Artists include:

  • Leilani Barajas
  • Steven Engbrecht
  • Celeste Flores
  • Kitsia Flores
  • Jacqueline Gloria
  • Jack Kalisky
  • Kyle Kemp
  • Dani Palacios
  • Annabelle Prindle
  • Santos Rivera Valles
  • Sophie Robles
  • Troy Stinson
  • Sandra Vidal
  • Dominique Zapata

Be sure to check it out!

Holiday Timesheet Deadlines (Hourly Staff)


Due to the upcoming Christmas holiday schedule, hourly staff employees are reminded to:

  • Enter any paid holidays for the pay period 12/13/25 – 12/26/25, in Self Service Time Entry.
  • Need to submit timesheets for approval before leaving for the holiday break, no later than Friday, December 19, 2025.

Supervisor Approval Deadline:

  • All timesheets for this pay period must be approved by Monday, December 29, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
  • Supervisors are encouraged to approve timecards before departing on December 19 to avoid delays.

Important:

Any missed entries or approvals will result in payment being delayed until January 16, 2026.

Please contact Payroll for any questions.

Continuing the Legacy: Supporting OLLU Students Through Year-End Giving

Last week, Institutional Advancement sent our end-of-year appeal letter to donors, highlighting the importance of supporting the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship Fund.

For more than a century, the Sisters have upheld the belief that those with the greatest need deserve the greatest access to education. That legacy continues through our OLLU students—many of whom are first-generation scholars balancing work, family responsibilities, and full academic schedules as they strive toward their degrees.

This year, scholarship support is more vital than ever. Federal reductions in discretionary grant funding are affecting universities across the country, including Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving Institutions like OLLU. These changes add new financial pressures for students who are already working hard to stay on track.

Your gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship Fund provides immediate and meaningful assistance. Every contribution helps students remain enrolled, navigate unexpected challenges, and continue preparing for careers that strengthen our communities—whether as teachers, nurses, social workers, business leaders, or ministers.

Thank you for supporting our mission and bringing hope to our students. Donate at the link below or scan the QR code.

Make a Donation

Share Your Voice: Should OLLU Participate in the 2026 Fiesta Flambeau Parade?

We’re considering participating in next year’s Fiesta Flambeau Parade — and we want your input! The parade is one of San Antonio’s most iconic Fiesta events, and before planning begins, we’re asking students, faculty, staff, and alumni to help us gauge interest.

Take the quick poll below and let us know if you’d like to see OLLU represented in the 2026 parade.

Your feedback will help guide our decision.

Take the Survey Here

Adjusted Bookstore Hours for December

The OLLU Bookstore will operate on adjusted hours throughout December. Please review the schedule below if you plan to visit.

December 8–12

  • Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Weekends: Closed

December 15–20

  • Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Weekends: Closed

Holiday Closure
The bookstore will be closed to the public December 22–January 3. Regular hours will resume in January.

OLLU Celebrates 90 Years of Candlelight Tradition

Last Friday, the OLLU community gathered for a milestone moment — the 90th Annual Candlelight celebration. What began nearly a century ago as a simple Advent ritual has grown into one of the University’s most cherished traditions, uniting students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in reflection, music, and light.

This year’s Candlelight honored the generations who have kept this tradition alive. Alumni from across the decades returned to campus, many bringing their families to experience the ceremony that shaped their own OLLU memories. Their presence served as a powerful reminder that Candlelight is more than an event — it’s a legacy carried forward by every person who calls this community home.

Throughout the evening, attendees reflected on the values that have guided OLLU since its founding by the Sisters of Divine Providence: faith, service, and a deep commitment to supporting those who need it most. That spirit of giving continues today, especially as many of our students rely on scholarships to pursue their education.

As we celebrate 90 years of tradition, we also look ahead to the next generation of Saints. Those who feel called to honor this legacy are invited to support the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides critical financial assistance to students facing unforeseen challenges.

Help us continue this tradition of light and hope by giving today. Click the link below or scan the QR code to donate.

Make a donation
Scan to Donate

Message From the President

Insights from Toyota: How Continuous Improvement Inspires Our Mission

Last week, a group of us toured the Toyota Texas production facility in south San Antonio. This facility produces Tundras and Sequoias—over 200,000 annually—using a just-in-time approach, meaning that every part or component used, and every vehicle assembled, has already been sold. Every 60 seconds, a new vehicle rolls off the assembly line. I was struck by the level of precision, excellence, and collaboration happening both inside the facility and far beyond it. Considering the complexity of a global supply chain involving thousands of products and hundreds of suppliers, the level of ownership demonstrated by every team member is remarkable. And at the heart of Toyota’s success is the Japanese philosophy called Kaizen.

The Kaizen philosophy embraces the practice of daily small and constant changes rather than major overhauls. In Japanese, Kaimeans change and Zen means good. It is inspiring to consider that improving by just one percent each day can aggregate to a 38% improvement over the course of a year. One-percent daily improvement is certainly within reach for any team.

Toyota’s founder, Sakichi Toyoda, often shared a guiding principle: “Before you say you can’t do something, try it.” I saw his spirit alive and well during our visit last week. And I cannot help but think about how the spirit of Kaizen might take root here at our incredible Catholic, mission-aligned HSI.

OLLU Outpaces Southwest Behind Strong Second-Half Surge

Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a steady and well-balanced performance to earn a 77–59 victory over Southwest, using strong rebounding, efficient bench production, and disciplined defense to guide the win.

Arthur Celestin Jr. set the tone for the Saints with a dominant effort on the glass. He finished with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, controlling the interior and providing second-chance opportunities that helped OLLU maintain momentum throughout the night. Isaiah Moore added another consistent effort with 10 points and six rebounds, contributing timely scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.

Off the bench, Barack Holland provided a major spark that shifted the rhythm of the game. He delivered 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a three-pointer, and added two assists and a pair of steals. His efficiency gave OLLU valuable separation when the game tightened. Santiago Ochoa also made a significant impact with nine points and three steals, while Matthew Gonzalez knocked down three three-pointers to finish with nine points of his own.

Jaydin Morin-Bishop and Devontae Da Costa added six points each, with Da Costa hitting a key three-pointer and working effectively on the boards. Kenyon Elliott contributed four points and two assists while providing steady defense in the backcourt. As a team, OLLU shot 40.3 percent from the field and outrebounded Southwest 44–40, using their depth and physicality to wear down the opposition.

OLLU capitalized on Southwest’s mistakes, turning defensive pressure into transition chances and controlling the tempo in the second half. With balanced scoring from the starting lineup and impactful contributions from the bench, the Saints secured a convincing conference win built on poise, energy, and consistent execution. The Saints will play again Saturday against UNT-Dallas at 3:00 PM CDT. It will be Youth Day at the Mabee Gymnasium.