Author: OLLUNewsletter

Dr. Aguilar to leave OLLU for new position in New Mexico

aguilar-webCongratulations to Dr. Teresita Aguilar who has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at New Mexico Highlands University. She will be starting her new position in early January.

Dr. Aguilar, who has been with OLLU almost nine years, has served as dean of the School of Professional Studies and the Worden School of Social Service, professor of Education and most recently as director of the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research.

“I wish Dr. Aguilar great success and the blessings of providence in her new position,” said President Sister Jane Ann Slater.

Aguilar said, “I am especially thankful to the Congregation of Divine Providence for the opportunity to serve in one of their most critical ministries. I thank the faculty and staff with whom I’ve had the opportunity to work with on some creative and fun initiatives.”

A director of the center will be named at the beginning of the spring semester.

Fire alarm testing this week

Physical Plant will be testing fire alarms this week in the following buildings:

  • Main Building
  • Moye Hall
  • Providence Hall
  • St. Ann’s Hall
  • Fine Arts Building
  • Bookstore
  • Walter Center
  • Metz Hall
  • Casa Caritas
  • Elliott House
  • University Wellness and Activities Center (UWAC)
  • Flores Hall
  • Centennial Hall
  • Sueltenfuss Library
  • Harry Jersig Center
  • Worden School
  • St. Martin Hall

Men’s basketball surprises NAIA DII top-ranked Embry-Riddle with a 91-85 win

MensBB12-16-1A determined OLLU men’s basketball team surprised Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) with a convincing 91-85 win Saturday evening. Despite a less than half-filled Mabee Gym as a result of the end of the semester on Friday, the Saints and the Eagles put on an exciting game featuring the No. 1 ranked NAIA DII team Eagles and the top-rated 3-point shooting team Saints. Head Coach Ryan Wall said, “We played well against a great team. We had lots of energy, especially CJ Martinez. If I had a game ball, I’d give it to him because he played his heart out, throwing his body around diving for balls and scoring a career high 14 points. The rest of the team feeds off that kind of energy, so it was a good performance by everyone.”

The Saints shot 53 percent from the field connecting on 32-of-60, 56 percent from 3-point range making 10-of-18 and 77 percent from the free-throw line making 17-of-22. The Saints ended with 20 turnovers, while forcing 25. Xavier Roberson was the Saints high scorer after he finished with 27 points, 22 of which were scored in the second half. He made 7-of-14 from the field, 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 9-of-9 free throws. Martinez scored a career-high 14 points, including 6-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 3-pointers. De’Quentin Greer scored 12 points, and Brock Hunter finished with 10 points. In addition, the men beat Southwest last Thursday 102-82. The Saints will have to wait 21 days for their next game. They will play NCAA Division I University of the Incarnate Word on Jan. 4 in San Antonio. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. Read full story online.

Women’s basketball crushes Southwest by 53 points

WBB12-16-1The women’s basketball team crushed the Mustangs from the University of the Southwest 111-58 last Thursday. The game was the home and conference opener for the Saints, who are undefeated with a 6-0 overall and 1-0 Red River Athletic Conference record.  Southwest drops to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference. Head Coach Christopher Minner was happy with the win.  “We were excited to play at home, and everybody got to play. It was a good start to our conference schedule, and we had some pretty good fans come out as well.”

The Saints forced 26 turnovers, while committing 15. The team shot 47 percent from the field compared to 30 percent for Southwest. Electra Roberts led the team in scoring with 14 points, and she added 15 rebounds. Nelly Flores finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for her second career double-double. Nashae Owens finished with 12 points, Mercedes Dobson added 11 points and Destiny Melton scored 10 points. OLLU will play its next game tonight, when the Saints host St. Ambrose University from Davenport, Iowa. The NAIA Division II team is 6-4 on the season and is ranked No. 23 in the 2013 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll that was released on Dec. 10. The Saints are ranked No. 11 in the Division I Poll this week. This will be the first matchup between the two teams. Game time is set for 4 p.m. Read full story online.

OLLU ranks No. 19 in 2013 NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Postseason Top 25 Poll

OLLUWSOLLU received 209 to be ranked No. 19 in the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Postseason Top 25 Poll, the national office announced Wednesday. The Saints ended their season on Nov. 23 during the first round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament. OLLU lost 1-0 to William Carey University (No. 10), which in turn lost to Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) (No. 6) 1-0 to end its season. The Saints won the Red River Athletic Conference Regular Season and Conference Tournament for the first time ever. They finished the season with a 16-3-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 in conference. Read full story online.

Charles Martin Wender to serve as commencement speaker during ceremonies Saturday at Freeman Coliseum

img_martyCharles Martin Wender, prominent San Antonio real estate developer, will serve as commencement speaker when OLLU confers degrees for more than 300 graduate and undergraduate students during commencement ceremonies on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Freeman Coliseum.

Wender’s real estate development projects in San Antonio include the premier and award-winning 3,500 acre Westover Hills master-planned, mixed use development; home to Sea World of Texas, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort Hotel, Arthur Hill Championship Golf Course, QVC Network, Inc., and dozens of other vital businesses. He also developed Fawn Meadow in the Medical Center, Crownridge at IH-10 West and Camp Bullis Road, and Oak Run in New Braunfels.

Wender is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations in the community, including being the 2002 chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council. He was a member of “Team Toyota” that helped lure Toyota to San Antonio to build its North American Assembly Plant. He is also on the University of Texas at San Antonio and University of Texas Health Science Center Development Boards and served on the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. His achievements have led to him being selected as one of the “Top 100 Developers” in the nation by “Real Estate Times,” and being appointed to the Texas Economic Development Commission by former Gov. Mark White.

Graduation celebrations and preparations begin Friday with Ring Blessing and Graduation Liturgy.  The following is the schedule of events:

Friday

Ring Blessing – 3 p.m. – Sacred Heart Chapel
Students will have the opportunity to have their graduation rings individually blessed by OLLU Chaplain Fr. Kevin Fausz, CM.

Reception – 3:30 p.m. – Chapel Auditorium
Graduates and their guests are invited to a reception following the Ring Blessing.

Graduation Liturgy – 5 p.m. – Sacred Heart Chapel
Graduating students and their families and friends are invited to celebrate Mass. Graduates put on their graduation hoods during the ceremony.

Saturday

Commencement Ceremonies – 11 a.m. – Freeman Coliseum located at 3201 E. Houston Street, 78219 – Check in for graduates begins at 9:30 a.m. Graduates should arrive no later than 10 a.m.

Pre-sale parking tickets are available for $3 in the Student Life Office located in Providence Hall, Room 104. Parking at the Coliseum is $5.

OLLU charm available
charmfinalAn Our Lady of the Lake University charm featuring an image of the Main Building is now available. The sterling silver charm is the perfect graduation gift. It is available for $50 through the Institutional Advancement Office in Moye Hall, Room 108. The charm was created by South Texas artist Jim Morris. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Proceeds from the sale of the charms will go to The Lake Fund.

For more information, contact Alex Garcia at 210-434-6711, ext. 3955.