Author: OLLUNewsletter

Marcus Thompson selected as ‘Men’s Basketball Player of the Week’

marcus2-17Marcus Thompson earned recognition as the Red River Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week with a record-breaking performance during the span of Feb. 10-16. This is the 13th award of the 2013-14 season. This is Thompson’s first Player of the Week honor. Thompson, a senior guard from Garland, Texas, established a new NAIA single-game mark for steals with 15 in a 118-68 victory over Paul Quinn College on Saturday. Eclipsing the record set by Duane Glenn of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford (Pa.) in 1993, Thompson extended his season total to 96, which is the best of any NAIA player. The NCAA men’s basketball record for most steals was also 13 set by Daron “Mookie” Blaylock, who played for Oklahoma. He set the record in a game against Centenary on Dec. 12, 1987. Thompson’s all-around performance included averages of 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game as the Saints also won games over Langston University (Okla.) and the University of St. Thomas (Texas). Thompson had six steals against Langston and three against UST as OLLU surged to 10-2 in conference play and 16-8 on the season. Thompson not only excels on the court, he also shines in the classroom. In each of his three years at OLLU, he has received the Red River Athletic Conference Scholar Award for maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA. During the 2011-2012 season, he received men’s basketball’s Sixth Man Award, and last season, he received the Dedication Award. During the spring 2013 academic year, he was named to the Dean’s List.

OLLU’s Matt Ellis selected as ‘Men’s Tennis Player of the Week’

2014MattEllis-4-wMatt Ellis has been selected as Men’s Tennis Player of the Week for the dates Feb. 10-16, 2014. This is Ellis’ third Player of the Week honor. Previous recognition was during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons. Ellis, a junior from El Paso, Texas, won all three singles matches during weekend competition. Ellis, along with Jacob Galaviz, won two out of three doubles they played together during weekend competition. Read full story online.

OLLU men’s tennis beats LeTourneau in close five to four match, while women drop three matches

tennisThe men’s tennis team extended its winning streak to four matches after the Saints defeated LeTourneau University 5-4. Freshman Jacob Galaviz won a third set tiebreaker to win the fifth and deciding match against Morgan Weaver. The women’s team will have to wait for its first win of the season after the Saints lost 3-4 against LeTourneau. Freshman Sydney Coulter won her first collegiate singles match against Shelby May, 8-6. The Saints men’s team won all three matches played during the weekend. Head Coach Sal Castillo has been with the tennis teams since year one and the 3-1 overall record is the best start of the season in program history. “We are early in the season with a tough schedule still ahead. We have lots of room for improvement, but I’m very pleased with the effort so far,” said Castillo. Read full story online.

QUEST program wins innovation award

OLLU’s QUEST program has been named the recipient of the 2014 Award for Innovation from the Council on Basic Writing, a national partner of the College of Composition and Communication.

Entries for the award were judged on specific criteria including:

  • Originality – the creativity and uniqueness of the innovation
  • Portability – the extent to which the innovation lends itself to application in other institutions and contexts
  • Results and Benefits – specific details, data and observations derived from the innovation, focusing on specific educational benefits to students

QUEST (QUality Education for Student Transformation) is a program that was started to provide new ways to teach math and writing to first-year students at OLLU. The program was created as part of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) while undergoing an accreditation review with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Campanas de América to present Valentine’s Day concert at OLLU

Two-time Grammy Award winner Juan B. Ortiz, and his highly acclaimed musical group, Mariachi Campanas de América, will present a Valentine’s concert on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Thiry Auditorium. The concert will celebrate the group’s 35th anniversary.

Founded in 1979 by Juan and Belle Ortiz, Campanas de America (Bells of America) is an innovative 12-piece musical group that combines traditional Mexican mariachi music with Latin and mainstream pop rhythms. The group has performed at the White House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Hollywood Bowl and the “Mariachi U.S.A. Festival.” For the past six years, Campanas has been featured and performed with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra to present the annual “Fiesta Pops” concert. In 2011, Ortiz won a Latin Grammy and an American Grammy for his violin performance for the album, “Recuerdos,” (Memories) with the Grammy Award winning Tejano group, Little Joe y La Familia. Ortiz is also a faculty member at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Reserved ticket prices range from $10-$25. A discount is offered for seniors, veterans, and OLLU students, faculty and staff with valid OLLU ID. There is also a $5 discount for children, ages 12 and younger.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 210-434-6711, ext. 2164.

The concert is sponsored by the OLLU Music Department.

OLLU’s Fiesta® Medal unveiling set for Feb. 27

The OLLU Best of the West 2014 Fiesta® Medal will be unveiled Feb. 27 at 12:15 p.m. in front of Moye Hall.

After the medal is unveiled, it will be available for a suggested donation of $3 each (while supplies last) in front of Moye Hall until 1:30 p.m. After the event, medals will be available until 5 p.m. in the Alumni Office for the suggested $3 donation. T-shirts will be on sale for $10 and pre-sale tickets for Best of the West will be available for $5 during the event.

Beginning Feb. 28, medals will be available for $6 in the Alumni Office or $8 at the Fiesta Store.

Save the date
2014 Best of the West Fiesta® Event
April 5, 2014
4-11 p.m.
Our Lady of the Lake University

For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.ollusa.edu/fiesta.

Facilitators ready to assist community with dialogues and meetings

The Learning Organization Community (LOC) was created to help implement the University’s Strategic initiatives: “To Grow, To Graduate, To Lead.” With these strategic goals in mind, the University administration is supporting this Learning Community effort. Facilitators have been trained and are ready to facilitate dialogue in department meetings, group organizations, etc. Contact the Office of Mission and Ministry to request a facilitator at 210-434-6711, ext. 2193 or for additional information, contact the co-chairs of the LOC, Dr. George Williams Jr. at gawilliams6@ollusa.edu or Sulema Cabrera at secabrera@ollusa.edu.

View flyer.

Community Agency Fair and P.E.A.C.E. bake sale on Tuesday

The Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism and the Worden School of Social Service are hosting the Community Agency Fair on Feb. 26 (NEW DATE)  from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Mall Area. Students can network, and learn about internships, jobs and volunteer opportunities with the more the 60 agencies that will be represented at the event. Students are highly encouraged to bring plenty of resumes. Free pizza and drinks will be available.

During the agency fair, the Worden Social Work Organization will hold a bake sale in the Mall Area. Proceeds from the bake sale will help support the P.E.A.C.E. (Putting an End to Abuse Through Community Efforts) Initiative.