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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Interested in learning more about a career in water resource protection?
Dr. Briana Salas’s “Careers in Environmental Science” Seminar course will be hosting staff from the City of San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) to speak to students. Learn how they took a background in Environmental Science and turned it in to career!
Guest speakers will be Friday, September 12, 1:45 to 3:00pm, in Main 204.
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!
Swing into action and join the fun at the 10th Annual Saints Golf Classic benefiting OLLU Athletics. Your support fuels essential athletic resources, resulting in success on and off the field.
Friday, September 26 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m Registration and lunch at 12:00 p.m. Shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.
In a match filled with grit, heart, and a dramatic finish, the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s soccer team clawed their way to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a strong University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) squad on a sweltering afternoon in San Antonio. The Saints showed resilience and fire, refusing to back down in front of their home crowd—even when the clock wasn’t on their side.
For most of the match, it looked like the Saints might fall just short. USAO’s Matija Malenovic opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, slipping one past OLLU goalkeeper Zak Averns at the 31:13 mark. It was a rare slip in an otherwise strong showing for Averns, who stood tall in net for all 90 minutes and made six crucial saves to keep the Saints within striking distance.
OLLU, undeterred by the early deficit and the grueling heat, pushed forward with intensity, searching for the equalizer. Although the Saints managed just three shots on goal compared to the Drovers’ seven, it was the final one that mattered most.
With the match ticking into its final seconds and the Saints mounting one last surge, Andres Rocha delivered the moment of the match when he fired a dramatic equalizer past the USAO keeper to tie the game 1-1. The Saints bench erupted, and the home crowd roared as Rocha’s clutch goal salvaged a result in a game where chances were hard to come by.
Despite being outshot 14-8 overall, OLLU’s defensive unit held firm, and Averns steady hands proved pivotal in keeping the game within reach. The Saints composure and grit under pressure were a testament to their preparation and belief in each other.
With the draw, OLLU continues to build momentum early in the season, and performances like this one highlight the team’s determination and fight. The Saints return to action against UIW on Friday September 5th at 7:00 PM.
