Author: OLLUNewsletter

OLLU Dominates Weekly RRAC Awards

It was a great week for Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) athletics as both cross country and volleyball brought home top honors in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) weekly awards.

Isai Moran and Kristen Torres, who were named RRAC Cross Country Runners of the Week after stellar performances at the OLLU Invitational, hosted on the Saints home course.

Moran continued his dominant season, winning the men’s race outright and leading the Saints to a first-place team finish in front of their home crowd. His strong pacing and closing kick separated him from the pack and proved crucial in OLLU’s team title.

On the women’s side, Torres delivered a breakout performance by recording the top individual finish in the women’s race. Her efforts at the front of the pack set the tone for the team, helping the Saints secure the top women’s team finish at the meet.

Meanwhile, OLLU volleyball completed a clean sweep of the RRAC weekly awards after a dominant weekend series, defeating Louisiana Christian University 3-0 on both Friday and Saturday.

  • Mia Francis earned Attacker of the Week honors, consistently overpowering the Wildcats defense with efficient and timely kills throughout the two matches.
  • Lauren Reynard was named Setter of the Week, orchestrating the Saints offense with precision and distributing the ball effectively to keep Louisiana Christian on its heels.
  • Chanisty Villarreal Bermea locked down the backcourt and earned Defender of the Week, showcasing her defensive instincts and relentless effort to keep plays alive.

The Saints perfect weekend in both cross country and volleyball reflects the growing momentum across OLLU Athletics this fall. OLLU continues to be a competitive force at the conference, regional and national scale.

Averns Shines Despite Road Loss to LSUS

The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s soccer team showed determination despite falling 3–0 on the road to LSU Shreveport on Thursday evening. The scoreline didn’t reflect the resilience displayed by the Saints, who battled through constant pressure from the Pilots and relied on a standout performance from goalkeeper Zak Averns to keep the match competitive deep into the second half.

The Pilots found their breakthrough at the 32:43 mark, capitalizing on one of their many attacking chances. The Saints held firm for the remainder of the first half, weathering repeated attacks and showing defensive discipline against a high-powered LSUS offense. Averns was sensational between the posts, recording 12 saves, tying for second-most in OLLU history for a single match. Two saves away from breaking the all-time record. His efforts kept the Saints within reach and frustrated the Pilots for much of the game.

After halftime, LSU Shreveport added two quick goals at 59:47 and 60:45 to extend their lead. Averns incredible 60 minutes and 45 seconds in goal came to an end shortly after, with Carson Burkhalter taking over for the final 19 minutes and 15 seconds of play. Despite the scoreline, the Saints defensive unit continued to battle, absorbing wave after wave of pressure from an LSUS attack that tallied 16 total shots and nine corners.

Offensively, OLLU managed two shots but worked tirelessly to generate opportunities on the counterattack, never backing down even as time wound down.

The Saints will look to regroup and be ready for their next matchup, a road contest against Louisiana Christian on Saturday, where they’ll aim to turn their play into a winning result.

OLLU Hosts Month-Long Events for Domestic Violence Awareness

Throughout October, OLLU’s Title IX Office, in collaboration with Counseling & Wellness Services, Mission & Ministry, and other campus partners, will host events to raise awareness about domestic violence and share resources available on campus and in the community.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to unite the community in breaking the silence and standing with survivors. Events will be held across campus all month long, including Purple Night — an evening of reflection and solidarity on Wednesday, October 16, from 6–8 p.m. at the Library Circle.

Domestic-Violence-Awarness-Month-EventsDownload

Submit Your Artwork to OLLU’s All-Student Juried Exhibition

Our Lady of the Lake University’s Visual & Mew Media Arts Program invites all eligible students to submit their creative work for consideration in the All-Student Juried Exhibition. This is a prestigious opportunity to have your artwork reviewed by a distinguished juror and displayed for the OLLU community.

Key Details:

  • Eligibility: Open to all current OLLU San Antonio students.
  • Submission Deadline: October 29th, 2025
  • Special Guest Juror: Dean of Academics, Dr. Candace Zepeda

Submission Instructions:
All interested students must submit their artwork digitally through the official submission portal.

  1. Prepare high-quality documentation (images) of your artwork.
  2. Navigate to the submission link: bit.ly/OLLUJuriedShow.
  3. Complete the required form, including artist statement and artwork details, and upload your image files before the deadline.

We encourage artists of all disciplines—including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital art, and mixed media—to participate! Contact for Information For more information contact Professor Gonzalez at sbgonzalez@ollusa.edu.

Medicare 101: Understanding Your Options- Presented by Gerry De Llano

Are you nearing retirement, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand your healthcare options better? Join us for an informative session that breaks down the essentials of Medicare in a clear, approachable way.

📅 Date: October 15, 2025
📍 Location: Main 311
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Topics We’ll Cover:

  • ✅ Are you eligible for Original Medicare?
  • 📅 When can you enroll in a Medicare plan?
  • 🧠 The A, B, C, and Ds of Medicare – Understanding your options
  • ⚖️ Should you be on Medicare instead of your employer plan?
  • ❓ Q&A Session – Bring your questions!

Whether you’re approaching retirement, helping a loved one, or want to be informed, this session will provide the clarity you need.

Your Chance to Give Back: OLLU’s Make a Difference Week Kicks Off Oct. 20

October 20-26 is Make a Difference Week and OLLU will be having daily opportunities for our community to give back and make a difference here on campus and in our neighborhood.  Every day, we’ll have an activity every day for you to sign up for to help make a positive impact in our community.  These range from two Halloween parties with kids, to a pollinator count with the state Parks and Wildlife, to hygiene kit making.  

We are encouraging everyone to participate in The Big Event (Saturday, Oct 25), where we’ll be helping our neighbors at Building Hope Together (2802 W Salinas St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States) in restoring and upgrading their workspace and events area.  Building Hope is an amazing organization that works with low-income senior citizens in our neighborhood, seeking to create solutions that allow them to age in place in their homes and pass them on to their descendants.  Our project will help increase their capacity to create new and innovative programming.

The other events include:

Monday, October 20th                 Chalking Kickoff with KDChi/VUC                  7:30 am in front of Main

Tuesday, October 21st                 Pollinator BioBlitz with Pollinator BioBlitz   12:30pm – 1:30 pm in front of Metz Hall

Wednesday, October 22nd         Book and Clothing Swap with Res Life          12:30 pm – 1:30 pm in the Mall by the Cafeteria

Thursday, October 23rd               Muertitos Fest @ Rodriguez Elementary      4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Rodriguez Montessori Elementary

Friday, October 24th                      Hygiene Kit Making with DXN & VUC             12:30pm – 1:30 pm in the Ren Parlor

Saturday, October 25th                The Big Event @ Building Hope Together      12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Building Hope Together

Sunday, October 26th                HalloEast with SAGE                                         1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at SAGE

The Wednesday Book, Clothing Swap, and Friday Hygiene Kit Making, both during Community Hours, do not require registration.  Just drop in!  For all others, register online on Saints Serve (login with your OLLU ID)

SCAN ME

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month: Inspired by Faith, Grounded in Perseverance

A Message from the President:

As we close Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of especially one guiding principle. In a 1960 speech at Spellman College, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If you cannot fly, then run; if you cannot run, then walk; if you cannot walk, then crawl—but whatever you do, you must keep moving forward.” These words come to life in the example of our very own OLLU alumnus, Colonel Gil Coronado (BA ’75), who worked with President Ronald Reagan to champion Public Law 100-402, establishing National Hispanic Heritage Month. Col Coronado’s persistence reminds us that progress, even through challenge, must honor God, community, and each other. May we, too, keep moving—doing good, grounded in faith, and committed to our students, legacies, and mission we get to serve.

State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer Joins OLLU for Fall Fest Celebration

Our Lady of the Lake University was delighted to welcome State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer to campus during this year’s Fall Fest celebration. Representative Martinez Fischer joined students, faculty, and staff in the festive spirit, serving as a guest judge for the annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest held on Thursday, October 9th.

The event brought together the OLLU community for an afternoon filled with creativity, laughter, and friendly competition as participants showcased their best fall-themed pumpkin designs. Representative Martinez Fischer shared encouraging words with students and praised the university’s commitment to fostering community engagement and school spirit.

OLLU thanks Representative Martinez Fischer for joining in the fun and supporting our students as they continue to create lasting memories and celebrate the season together.

Dr. Samantha Galvan Publishes in Prestigious Journal of Public Policy & Marketing

Dr. Samantha Galvan, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Business Analytics at Our Lady of the Lake University, has co-authored a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, one of the field’s most respected and influential journals.

Her article, “Drink, but Please Don’t Drive: Spillover Effects of Ridesharing on Alcohol Sales and Drunk Driving Arrests,” examines the impact of ridesharing on both consumer behavior and public safety. Using alcohol sales data across Texas and arrest records from Bexar County, the research finds that:

  • Alcohol sales at bars and restaurants increase by 10.1% when ridesharing services become available.
  • At the same time, drunk driving arrests decrease by 5%, with the greatest relative reductions seen among younger drivers, women, and minority populations.

The study highlights a dual benefit of ridesharing: expanding consumer freedom while reducing public safety risks. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, hospitality leaders, and marketers as they navigate the effects of disruptive technologies on society.

Click to Read the Full Article

Saints Shut Out Jarvis Christian 6-0 in Commanding Home Victory

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women’s soccer team put on a clinic Saturday afternoon at the OLLU Soccer Field, steamrolling the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs 6-0 in a complete team effort. From the opening whistle to the final seconds, the Saints dominated every facet of the game, overwhelming the visiting Bulldogs with relentless pressure, clinical finishing, and airtight defense.

It took less than three minutes for the Saints to get on the board. Eleonora Diversi wasted no time asserting herself, slotting in a goal at the 2:45 mark to ignite the scoring frenzy. Just six minutes later, Angela Garcia made it 2-0 with a well-placed finish off a sharp assist from Leah Tapia, showcasing the Saints seamless attacking rhythm.

Despite the early lead, OLLU didn’t take their foot off the gas. The Saints fired 28 shots on the afternoon, 11 on goal, while holding the Bulldogs to just two total shots and zero corner kicks. OLLU’s midfield controlled possession with poise and precision, suffocating any chance Jarvis Christian had to build momentum.

In the second half, the Saints continued to pour it on. Gabrielle De Leon extended the lead to 3-0 with a strike in the 77th minute, finishing a dominant buildup that left the Bulldogs chasing shadows. Diversi added her second goal of the day just four minutes later, capping off a stellar individual performance and making it 4-0.

With the result all but sealed, OLLU’s depth stepped in and delivered. Anisia Serrano netted the fifth goal at the 86:45 mark, continuing the offensive onslaught, and just a minute later, Mia Saenz added the final blow with a clean finish off an assist from Monica Sanchez to make it 6-0. The Saints bench erupted, a reflection of the team’s unity.

On the defensive end, goalkeeper London Suarez earned a well-deserved clean sheet, playing the full 90 minutes and recording two saves on the Bulldogs only shots on target. Her calm command of the back line helped preserve the shutout, marking yet another solid outing for the Saints defense, which has been one of the team’s quiet strengths all season.

With the win, OLLU continues to assert itself. The Saints will play against Thursday at 1:00 PM CDT at home against LSU-A.