OLLUNewsletter

Celebrating Our Outstanding Graduates at OLLU-Houston!

We are thrilled to share that all nine of our recent graduates had their degrees conferred in August, and each one of them passed the MFT licensing exam before graduation! Achieving a 100% pass rate prior to conferral is an extraordinary accomplishment and speaks volumes about their dedication, preparation, and excellence. This means every graduate is eligible for licensure immediately upon receiving their degree. An amazing accomplishment worth celebrating!

During the ceremony, Asha Alexander was selected by her peers to deliver an address to the cohort and guests. Her speech was both moving and inspiring, as she reflected on the hard work, perseverance, and shared journey that led her and her classmates to this moment. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the OLLU faculty and staff who supported them along the way, including Jamina Scippio-McFadden, Stacey Winters, Victoria Sandoval, and Gloria Goode.

Their guidance and encouragement played a vital role in helping these graduates reach their goals, and we thank them for their unwavering support.

Congratulations to our graduates! You’ve made us proud, and we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make as licensed professionals!

In the photo from left to right:
Dr. Lindsay McCarthy, Dr. Adriana Gil-Wilkerson, Raana Belle, Cate Bevel, Tamara Atkin, Denise Garcia, Indira Mullenax, Asha Alexander, Dr. Leonard Bohanon, Dr. Glenn Boyd, and Clinical Professor Candance Runaas

Civil Rights in South Texas Exhibit Opens at OLLU Library

The traveling exhibit Civil Rights in the Rio Grande Valley will open at the Sueltenfuss Library at Our Lady of the Lake University on Thursday, October 9, 2025, with a reception from 6–8 p.m.

Presented by the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research (CMASR) and the Sueltenfuss Library, the exhibit highlights pivotal moments in South Texas civil rights history—from the 1919 hearings investigating the Texas Rangers to the 1966 Starr County Melon Strikes that helped spark the Chicano movement.

The evening will include introductions, remarks from the exhibit creators Juan Carmona and Nicholle Moreno, and a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Valerie Martinez, Associate Professor of History at OLLU. Refreshments will be served.

Exhibit Dates: October 9 – December 12, 2025
Location: OLLU Sueltenfuss Library, 2nd Floor

Read the Full Press Release

Civil Rights Flyer (7)Download

OLLU, Xavier standouts take RRAC volleyball player of the week honors

Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) saw two athletes take home this week’s awards as Mia Francis earned Attacker of the Week and Chanisty Villarreal Bermea won Defender of the week. Charity Metcalf from Xavier University (La.) won Setter of the Week.

Attacker of the Week: Mia Francis, Our Lady of the Lake
The senior outside hitter helped sweep Jarvis Christian University (Texas) on Friday and Saturday. Mia Francis offensive skillset was on full display with 10 kills on Friday with a .615 kills percentage. On Saturday. she had 11 kills with a .474 kills percentage. Francis guided OLLU to 3-0 victories in both matches. The Saints start conference play at 2-0 with a 5-7 mark overall.

Setter of the Week: Charity Metcalf of Xavier LA
Metcalf’s presence was seen all over the court last week as the senior put up 81 assists, 4 kills, and 26 digs in three matches and 10 sets. She averaged 8.10 assists per set and 2.60 digs per set. Xavier swept Dillard on the road and Point University (Ga.) as a neutral opponent and lost in four sets at the University of Mobile (Ala.). This is the third straight week Metcalf has earned Setter of the Week. The Gold Nuggets are 12-4 overall heading into their first conference games this week

Defender of the Week: Chanisty Villarreal Bermea, Our Lady of the Lake
Bermea helped lead OLLU to two sweeps on Friday and Saturday. On Friday she recorded nine digs, three assists and one service ace. On Saturday she had 13 digs, one service ace and one assist.

Additional Nominees: Lauren Reynard (Our Lady of the Lake), Jasmin Williams (A&M-Texarkana), Taylor Parker (Xavier), Lauren Herz (A&M-Texarkana), Kamea Uitenham (Xavier), Paulina Dobreca (A&M-Texarkana).

RRAC Volleyball Notebook

Lauren Reynard helped lead OLLU past Jarvis Christian with 29 assists, 4 service aces and 5 digs in their first match. On Saturday, she had 35 assists, seven service aces, and two digs.

Xavier’s Taylor Parker reached at least five blocks in all three matches this week. Against Mobile, it was the 33rd time at XULA that the 2024 NAIA All-American reached five blocks in a match.

Paulina Dobreca of A&M-Texarkana recorded 18 kills over two games with an overall .361 hitting percentage. The Eagles swept their first two conference matchups against Texas College. She sits in second place for all-time kills with 476 over two seasons.

2025 RRAC volleyball weekly selections:

Date	Attacker of the Week	Setter of the Week	Defender of the Week
Aug. 18-24	Kaitlyn Cabral (TAMUT)	Charity Metcalf (XULA)	Kennedy Campbell (XULA)
Aug. 25-31	Kaitlyn Cabral (TAMUT)	Ashley Rhame (TAMUT)	Paulina Dobreva (TAMUT)
Sept. 1-7	Taylor Parker (XULA)	Charity Metcalf (XULA)	Lauren Herz (TAMUT)
Sept. 8-14	Kamea Uitenham (XULA)	Charity Metcalf (XULA)	Taylor Parker (XULA)
Sept. 22-28	Mia Francis (OLLU)	Charity Metcalf (XULA)	Chanisty Villarreal Bermea (OLLU)

Saints Tennis Makes Strong Statement at ITA NAIA Gulf Regional Championship

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s and women’s tennis teams put on an impressive showing at the ITA NAIA Men’s and Women’s Gulf Regional Championship, hosted by Xavier University in New Orleans. With high energy, focused execution, and standout performances across the board, the Saints proved themselves as a rising force in NAIA tennis.

The highlight of the tournament came in the men’s open doubles, where the electric duo of Jaroslav Majasajdr and Joao Santos powered their way to the championship title. The pair played with exceptional chemistry and determination throughout the tournament, beginning their run with a commanding 8-2 victory over a strong Xavier University team. They then fought through a tight contest against William Carey, prevailing 8-6, followed by an 8-5 win over the Dillard University duo. In the championship match, Majasajdr and Santos faced another Xavier University pair and delivered a thrilling 7-6 win to clinch the title. Their run was a testament to their grit and composure under pressure, and they brought a major victory home for OLLU.

In singles competition, Corentin Fusaro led the way for the Saints on the men’s side, making a deep run into the quarterfinals. He showcased poise and power throughout the early rounds, falling just short of the semifinals but establishing himself as a true contender.

The OLLU women also had a strong tournament, with several deep runs highlighting the team’s growing potential. In singles, Carolina Guerrero and Marie Peters both advanced to the round of 16, representing the Saints with tenacity and focus before bowing out in competitive matches.

In doubles, the women’s side continued to impress. The pair of Ely Laure and Marie Peters reached the quarterfinals, pushing their opponents with sharp net play and solid baseline consistency. Likewise, the duo of Carolina Guerrero and Michaela Muller made it to the quarterfinals after a strong start, showing cohesion and intensity in every match. Though both pairs fell short of advancing further, their performances were a clear signal of the program’s depth and promise.

Overall, the Saints left their mark in New Orleans, not just with results but with a brand of tennis that reflected discipline, unity, and belief. With a regional doubles title on the men’s side and strong showings in both singles and doubles for the women, OLLU continues to build momentum as one of the region’s most competitive programs.

Saints Edge Bulldogs 2-1 in Hard-Fought Home Victory

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s soccer team battled through 90 intense minutes to earn a gritty 2-1 victory over the visiting Jarvis Christian Bulldogs on Saturday evening. In front of their home crowd, the Saints controlled much of the match and found the late-game composure needed to secure all three points.

OLLU wasted little time setting the tone. In the 16th minute, Kevin Zamora found the back of the net off a crisp assist from Baden Arrieta, giving the Saints an early 1-0 lead. The goal was the result of sustained attacking pressure and quick combination play that sliced through the Bulldogs back line. The Saints maintained control throughout the first half, outshooting Jarvis Christian and dominating possession, but were unable to extend the lead before the break.

Coming out of halftime, the Bulldogs showed more urgency and managed to break through in the 72nd minute, leveling the match at 1-1 and momentarily silencing the crowd. Despite the setback, the Saints never lost their composure and quickly regained momentum.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, OLLU responded with the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute. Alessandro Sierra delivered the clutch finish, capitalizing on a perfectly timed assist from Cade Ryan to make it 2-1. The Saints bench erupted, and the home fans followed, sensing that the hard-earned win was within reach.

Defensively, the Saints stood tall in the closing minutes, with goalkeeper Zak Averns anchoring the back line. Averns played the full 90 minutes, recording three key saves and allowing just the single goal. His steady presence between the posts helped preserve the lead as Jarvis Christian pushed for a late equalizer.

OLLU outshot the Bulldogs 21-10, showing their intent and attacking firepower throughout the match. The Saints ability to create quality chances and control tempo ultimately proved to be the difference in a physical and competitive contest.

With the victory, the Saints continue building momentum and confidence as they navigate through conference play. OLLU will be back in action Thursday against LSU-A at home at 3:30 PM CDT.

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.

Saints Dominate Jarvis Christian in Straight-Set Victory at Mabee Gym

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) volleyball team delivered a commanding performance Saturday in front of their home crowd, sweeping the Jarvis Christian University Bulldogs 3-0 at Mabee Gymnasium. The Saints showed poise, power, and precision in every phase of the game, improving to 5-7 overall and a perfect 2-0 in Red River Athletic Conference play.

From the opening whistle, it was clear the Saints were in complete control. OLLU set the tone early with a dominant 25-15 win in the first set, quickly establishing their tempo and never allowing the Bulldogs to find a rhythm. The Saints offense fired on all cylinders in the second set, cruising to a lopsided 25-12 victory fueled by relentless attacks and crisp ball movement.

Though Jarvis Christian pushed back in the third set, the Saints refused to back down. With clutch plays down the stretch and a fired-up crowd behind them, OLLU held on to take the final frame 25-22 and complete the sweep.

Leading the offensive charge was senior setter Lauren Reynard, who orchestrated the attack with surgical precision. Reynard tallied an impressive 35 assists, keeping the Bulldogs defense guessing all night. Her connection with the hitters was on full display, especially with Mia Francis, who led the team with 11 kills. Francis’s power at the net consistently broke through the Bulldogs block, giving the Saints a scoring edge that proved too much to handle.

Defensively, the Saints were anchored by Chanisty Villareal Bermea, who recorded a team-high 13 digs. Her steady presence in the back row and ability to read Jarvis Christian’s offense helped stifle any attempt at a comeback. The Saints overall defensive effort puzzled the Bulldogs throughout the match, limiting their opportunities and forcing errors.

With the win, OLLU moves to 2-0 in conference play and looks to build momentum heading deeper into the season. The Saints will play again October 3rd away against Louisiana Christian at 6:00 PM CDT.

Experiential Learning: OLLU Students Visit Hindu Temple to Deepen Religious Understanding

On September 20, a group of OLLU students, led by Dr. Jacob Friesenhahn, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, visited the Hindu Temple of San Antonio for an immersive learning experience.

The visit was guided by Mr. Murthy Patamalla, Chairman at the Temple, who shared insights into Sanātana Dharma and explained Hinduism not only as an ancient faith but also as a way of life that continues to flourish today. Students learned about the spiritual practices, values, and philosophy that guide millions of people worldwide, while also recognizing how this tradition lives vibrantly within the San Antonio community.

For our students, the experience was much more than an academic exercise. It provided an opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage directly with the diverse faith traditions that enrich our city. Through conversations and observation, students deepened their understanding of religious diversity, interfaith dialogue, and the ways theology and philosophy shape daily life.

This visit reflects OLLU’s commitment to student involvement in experiential learning, where education goes beyond textbooks and lectures to foster personal growth, cultural awareness, and meaningful community connections. By participating in these kinds of experiences, students not only strengthen their academic foundation but also prepare themselves to be thoughtful, compassionate leaders in a multicultural world.

As we continue to celebrate the richness of religious traditions both near and far, opportunities like this remind us that faith, learning, and community are interconnected — values that stand at the heart of OLLU’s mission.

Ellos Quieren Sangre! They Want Blood! Blood Drive & Community Resource Fair

Our Lady of the Lake University invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to join us for the Ellos Quieren Sangre / They Want Blood! Blood Drive and Community Resource Fair on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Moye Circle in front of UWAC.

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will be on-site with their donation bus. Advance appointments are encouraged, but some walk-in space will be available. Every donor will receive a gift card valued between $10 and $150 courtesy of South Texas Blood & Tissue!

Alongside the blood drive, the resource fair will feature:

Know My Status – Free STI/HIV testing bus
Texas Organ Sharing Alliance – Learn more about organ donation and advocacy
Las Palmas Public Library – Local library resources and community programs

This is a chance not only to give the gift of life but also to explore wellness resources available in our community.

For questions, email counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu or cslv@ollusa.edu

Schedule Your Appointment Here

An Evening Honoring Texas Poet Laureate Octavio Quintanilla

Join Us: Friday, October 17, 2025 | 6 p.m. | St. Anne’s Courtyard

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) invites the community to a special evening celebrating Octavio Quintanilla, named 2025–2026 Texas Poet Laureate. The event will feature a public reading and conversation in St. Anne’s Courtyard on Friday, October 17, at 6 p.m.

Quintanilla is the author of acclaimed poetry collections including If I Go Missing (Slough Press, 2014), The Book of Wounded Sparrows (Texas Review Press, 2024), longlisted for the National Book Award, and Las Horas Imposibles / The Impossible Hours (University of Arizona Press, 2025), winner of the 2024 Ambroggio Prize of the Academy of American Poets.

A celebrated visual artist as well, Quintanilla’s Frontextos (visual poems) have been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Mexican Cultural Institute in San Antonio, the El Paso Museum of Art, and the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, with permanent installations at San Antonio’s Labor Plaza and Poet’s Pointe.

Beyond his creative achievements, Quintanilla is the founder and director of the VersoFrontera literature and arts festival, publisher of Alabrava Press, and a former Poet Laureate of San Antonio. He was recently inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters and received the Nebrija Creadores Scholarship, completing a residency at the Instituto Franklin at Alcalá University in Spain. Quintanilla holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and is a professor at Our Lady of the Lake University.

This event reflects OLLU’s enduring commitment to literature, art, and community engagement — honoring not only one of Texas’ most distinguished poets, but one of OLLU’s very own.

The event is free and open to the public.