Author: OLLUNewsletter

IFCC Welcomes Sonya Rosario as Inaugural Artist in Residence

The International Folk Culture Center at Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to welcome Sonya Rosario, filmmaker and storyteller, as its first Artist in Residence. Join us for a special Welcome Reception to celebrate her residency.

  • Date: September 22, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 PM
  • Location: MARC Ballroom, OLLU
  • Food will be provided
  • Free and open to the community

As part of her Fall residency, Rosario will showcase her ongoing project, The Sofa Diaries. Guests will have the opportunity to view screenings of her past work and the trailer for this upcoming project. Attendees are also invited to meet Sonya in person and take a photo on her iconic sofa — a piece that has traveled across Idaho and will now journey across San Antonio throughout the semester.

This reception marks an exciting moment for the IFCC, as it launches its new Artist in Residence program and brings innovative voices to our campus.

Student Affairs Open House

Student Affairs invites all students to an Open House! Come meet the team, explore the many services available to support your success at OLLU, and enjoy a sweet treat.

This is a great opportunity to connect with the Student Affairs staff, ask questions, and learn more about how we can help make your OLLU experience the best it can be.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month — OLLU’s Legacy & Our Shared Future

Each year from September 15 to October 15, the nation celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

At Our Lady of the Lake University, this observance is especially meaningful. OLLU is proud to be recognized as one of the first Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the country and the founding home of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Last week, during HSI Week (Sept. 8–14), we joined institutions nationwide in celebrating the impact of HSIs and the students they serve.

As we enter Hispanic Heritage Month, we continue that celebration by recognizing the resilience, creativity, and leadership of Hispanic communities—values that are deeply woven into OLLU’s mission and lived out every day by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

This month is both a time to honor history and to look ahead, as we recommit to supporting Hispanic heritage and empowering future generations of leaders.

Balanced Attack Leads OLLU to 3-0 Sweep in Austin

Our Lady of the Lake University volleyball continued their strong early-season form with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Huston-Tillotson University on the road Wednesday evening at Branch Gymnasium. The Saints controlled the match from start to finish, earning set victories of 25-13, 25-17, and 25-21 to improve their momentum heading into the heart of the season.

OLLU delivered a well-balanced team performance with 38 kills, 32 assists, and 11 blocks, showcasing both offensive power and defensive discipline. The Saints came out firing in the first set, overwhelming Huston-Tillotson with aggressive play at the net and crisp ball movement. Their pressure never relented, and the team executed with precision in all phases of the game.

Mia Francis led the Saints’ attack with nine kills, while Anais Velasquez added six and Bailey Scott chipped in five. Nicole Bir contributed four kills, further highlighting the depth and versatility of OLLU’s offense. The front line’s efforts were made possible by standout setter Lauren Reynard, who led the team with 19 assists, consistently putting her hitters in ideal positions to score.

On the defensive end, Sophia Castillo anchored the Saints with a match-high 14 digs, helping neutralize Huston-Tillotson’s attempts to mount a comeback. The team’s 11 total blocks proved crucial in disrupting their opponent’s rhythm and maintaining control throughout the match.

The Saints now turn their focus to their next matchup, an away contest against Concordia University (TX) on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30 PM CDT. 

OLLU Welcomes Former U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos for Keynote on Science, Equity, and Representation

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is honored to host the Honorable Robert L. Santos, nationally recognized statistician and 26th director of the U.S. Census Bureau, for a keynote presentation, “The Importance of Being Counted: Being a Scientist.” The event will take place on September 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Thiry Auditorium and is open to OLLU students, faculty, alumni, and the San Antonio community.

Santos made history as the first Latino to lead the Census Bureau, serving from 2022 to 2025. With more than 45 years of experience, he has advanced survey research, demographic analysis, and policy evaluation at leading institutions, including the Urban Institute, NORC at the University of Chicago, and the University of Michigan. A San Antonio native, Santos has been widely recognized for his professional achievements and contributions to public service, including awards from the American Statistical Association, the American Association for Public Opinion Research, and the Mexican government.

Robert L. Santos’ extraordinary career and his deep commitment to using data and science for the public good serve as a profound inspiration. Hosting him at OLLU provides our campus and community the opportunity to engage with a leader who embodies the importance of representation and integrity in research.

This special event reflects OLLU’s mission to empower students through education, equity, and leadership, while engaging the community in conversations that shape the future.

Robert Santo-9.17.25 Event-2Download

Rent a Garden Bed on Campus Information Session

Are you interested in growing your own garden on campus?

The TExAS FAST program is going to be renting out garden beds from our community garden on campus, which is close to the campus entrance off Commerce Street behind the soccer fields.

We are hosting an informational meeting Friday, September 12th from 12:30-1:30 in Metz 102.
All OLLU students, faculty and staff are welcome!

Garden_Bed_Rental_Meeting___Fall_2025Download

OLLU Cross Country Opens Season at Competitive UIW Twilight Run

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their 2025 season at the UIW Twilight Run in San Antonio on Friday evening. Although no team scores were recorded, the Saints competed in a deep and competitive field that provided an early-season challenge.

In the men’s 6-kilometer race, Jose Perez led OLLU with a 40th-place finish, clocking in at 19:47. He was followed by Ryan Aldana, who finished 66th with a time of 21:39, and Anthony Alaniz, who placed 68th in 21:54. A total of 69 runners competed in the men’s race.

On the women’s side, the Saints ran a 4-kilometer race. Claudia Lopez was the top finisher for OLLU, taking 55th place with a time of 16:43. Reese Vernieuw followed in 58th with a time of 16:54, while Victoria Bartlett finished 59th in 17:03. Valeria Pena rounded out the group in 63rd place with a time of 18:05. The women’s field included 66 runners.

The meet served as a valuable starting point for both teams as they gained experience against strong competition. The Saints will look to build on this performance when they return to action at the Bearkat Twilight meet on September 5th.

Saints and Stars Battle to a 1-1 Draw in Non-Conference Clash

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) Saints women’s soccer team opened their home slate with a competitive 1-1 draw against the Oklahoma City University (OCU) Stars on Wednesday afternoon.

The Saints struck early in the first half when Monicha Sanchez found the back of the net at the 7:36 mark, capitalizing on a strong offensive push. Sanchez led OLLU with two shots on goal, converting one into the opening score of the match.

Oklahoma City responded in the 29th minute, leveling the match at 1-1 with a goal at 28:27. Despite several opportunities on both ends, neither team could break the deadlock through the remainder of regulation.

OLLU outshot OCU 12-11, with the Saints placing 10 shots on target compared to the Stars 7. In goal, Salka Hrafns recorded four saves in the second half for the Saints, while London Suarez added one save in the first half to help preserve the tie.

The Saints will look to build on their performance as they continue their season with the next game being a scrimmage against St. Mary’s on Sunday.

OLLU Men’s Soccer Battles #16 Oklahoma City in Narrow 1-0 Defeat

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s soccer team put forth a determined effort against a nationally-ranked opponent on Thursday evening, falling 1-0 to No. 16 Oklahoma City University (OCU) at home.

The Stars found the back of the net late in the first half, capitalizing on a chance in the 44th minute. OCU’s lone goal, scored at the 43:49 mark, proved to be the difference in a tightly contested matchup.

OLLU goalkeeper Zak Averns turned in a solid performance between the posts, registering four saves while facing 11 total shots from the OCU attack. The Saints managed six shots in total, with one shot on target.

Set pieces were evenly matched, with the Stars earning three corner kicks to the Saints two. Despite a strong defensive showing and moments of promise in the attacking third, the Saints were unable to break through OCU’s back line.

The Saints will look to regroup and build on this competitive performance as they continue their 2025 campaign Saturday at 12:00 PM at home against Science and Arts.