OLLU McNair Scholars presented at the UTSA Undergraduate Research Summer Showcase on Aug. 6. Alexis Moreno won third place in the poster competition for her presentation titled, “The Effects of Administrative Segregation on the Mental Health of Incarcerated Individuals in Texas.”
Congratulations to Kathryn Anderson, PhD, Professor of Psychology, who was awarded the Sue Rosenberg Zalk award for distinguished service to the Society for the Psychology of Women, Division 35 of the American Psychological Association.
The Saints volleyball team was ranked second out of nine programs in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) 2024 Volleyball Preseason Poll. You can see the top-ranked team in action Friday at home when they kick off their Volleyesta Tournament at 2:30 p.m. against Nelson University.
The Saints have won the regular-season title three years in a row, while Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) has captured every postseason title in the same span. The Saints took the Gold Nuggets to five sets in all three championship matches. OLLU went 15-1 in regular season conference play last year, with the only loss coming at the hands of Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT). The Saints only lost six sets in 16 conference matches.
The top-ranked Gold Nuggets received four first-place votes in the poll. The Saints are second with three first-place votes and TAMUT is third with one vote. Louisiana Christian University also received one first-place nod and is in the fourth spot. Paul Quinn College is fifth, followed by Jarvis Christian University in sixth, University of the Southwest in seventh, Huston-Tillotson University in eighth and Texas College in ninth. Voting is conducted by the conference’s head coaches.
The Saints welcome nine freshmen and two transfer athletes for the upcoming season. The squad is led by seniors Julissa Casas, Camila Ramirez and Tina Trevino. Head Coach Scott Mattera enters his sixth season, while Assistant Coach Raven Swain begins her second season.
The women’s soccer team is ushering in a new era with the appointment of Lee Williams as Head Coach this summer. Williams, a former graduate assistant for the soccer teams at OLLU, brings with him a master’s degree from OLLU and an illustrious soccer coaching career. His return is marked by a strong dedication to the program and a fervent passion for the success of the women’s team, inspiring a new wave of enthusiasm.
Williams joins one of the university’s most successful teams, which has a rich history of achievements. This includes two tournament runners-up, four tournament semifinalists, one quarterfinal and an impressive five tournament championships and six regular-season titles. In 17 seasons, the women have missed the postseason just twice. This successful history sets a high standard for the upcoming season and gives everyone a reason to be excited and optimistic.
Schedule overview (Numbers after school indicate all-time records.)
The Saints will visit NCAA D2 St. Mary’s University (3-5-3) on the Aug. 19. They will host NCAA D3 Schreiner University (8-0-1) on Aug. 23, followed by a match at NCAA D3 Texas Lutheran University (7-2) on Aug. 26 in Seguin.
They will travel to Oklahoma City University (4-4-1) on Aug. 29 and Chickasha, Okla., to play the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1-3-2) on Aug. 31. After two more nonconference matches vs. NCAA D2 University of Texas Permian Basin on Sept. 5 and at Schreiner University on Sept. 9, the Saints will begin their conference schedule. They will travel to Louisiana for a match against LSUS (8-4-3) on Sept. 19, followed by a game at TAMUT (6-3-1) on Sept. 21. The women return home to host TC (15-0) on Sept. 26 and JCU (9-0-1) on Sept. 28.
OLLU will travel to New Mexico to play USW (30-3) on Oct. 3 and to Dallas to play PQC (9-0) on Oct. 5. They return to host AM-SA (1-0-2) on Oct. 12 before hitting the road again against XULA (0-1) on Oct. 17 and NAU (1-0) on Oct. 19. The Saints will host LSUA (9-2-1) on Oct. 24 and LCU (2-2-1) on Oct. 26 before heading out to UHV (14-1-2) on Oct. 31. The team will play their last game of the season at home against HTU (13-3) on Nov. 2.
The RRAC postseason runs from Nov. 8-9 at campus sites, and the semifinals will take place Nov. 14-16 at Morgan Field in Texarkana, Texas.
Senior class
The Saints will be led by eight seniors this season, including standouts Haven Ortiz, Lyndee Rheinberger, Samantha Valadez and Ez Valles, who returns as a graduate student. Other seniors include London Suarez, Dusty Van Huss, Sara Nishiyama and Olivia Olivarez.
Other returners
Standout juniors include Sara Garza, Savanna Serna, Bethany Garr, Vivianna Gutierrez and Emerson Weiler, as well as Kaitlyn Olivas and Gabrielle Pace.
Sophomores returning are Elizabeth Gregurek, Sofia Davila, Leah Tapia, Allison Kostoch, Odet Mota, Mia Saenz and Anisia Serrano.
Newcomers
Newcomers include graduate student Emily Wissel-Littmann, juniors Shante Chacon and Julia Moreira, sophomores Eleonora Diversi and Chasity Valdez and freshmen Elena Alarcon, Angela Garcia, Katherine Delgadillo, Isabella Maldonado-Esparza, Mariana Medrano-Sanchez, Sadie Rios, Kayla Martinez and Leanne Garza.
Academics
In academics once again, the Saints have demonstrated their commitment to excellence, earning their 10th NAIA Scholar-Team Award. Of the 34 members of the team, 30 achieved GPAs of 3.0 and above. Nine achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, 13 earned 3.50-3.99 GPAs, and eight had GPAs of 3.0-3.49. This academic success is a testament to the team’s dedication and hard work.
The 2024-2025 academic year officially kicks off this week with University Professional Development Days (UPPD) and Convocation.
UPPD begins Monday with New Faculty Orientation and continues throughout the week with sessions for all faculty and staff.
Convocation takes place Tuesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the University Wellness and Activities Center Mabee Gym. Lunch will follow immediately after the Convocation.
During the annual gathering, President Abel Chávez, MBA, PhD, will share his plans and vision for the year. There also will be presentations by the Faculty Assembly, Staff Assembly and Student Government Association presidents.
The Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, will serve as keynote speaker at both UPDD and Convocation. Father Holtschneider is the immediate past president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and served as president of DePaul University, the nation’s largest Catholic university, from 2004-2017. Father Holtschneider holds degrees in mathematics and theology, as well as a doctorate in higher education policy from Harvard University where he lectures on governance and strategy in higher education.
To view the full UPPD schedule visit the SharePoint site.
OLLU welcomes 12 new faculty members this academic year. They are:
Jeffrey Anderson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences Disorders
Shanna Bodenhamer, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor of Special Education
Jazmine Garcia, MS, Visiting Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Suzanne Gonzalez, MFA, Visiting Assistant Professor of Visual and New Media Arts
Kimberly Kennedy, PhD, Associate Professor of Special Education
Chloe Lash, PhD, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology
Yvette Longoria, Assistant Professor of Counseling
Michelle Sanchez, MSW, Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work
Manpreet Semwal, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology
Casey Taliancich-Klinger, PhD, Associate Professor of CSD and Director of CLD/Bilingual Certification Program
Karen Thomas, MLIS, Online and Extended Campus Librarian
Kyle Utterback, MS, Visiting Assistant Professor of Nonprofit Management
Some exciting new spaces for students are expected to be complete in the first few months of this semester. They include the Experiential Learning STEM Studio in Metz Hall, the Graduate Center in the Sueltenfuss Library, and the Teaching and Community Garden at the Commerce Street entrance. Grant funding has made each of the projects possible.
The Experiential Learning STEM Studio will be a state-of-the-art makerspace that will facilitate hands-on, active and collaborative experiential learning activities. The space is being designed to strengthen problem-based learning.
The Graduate Center, located on the main floor of the library, will provide a consolidated space for Graduate Student Services, and new study spaces.
The Teaching and Community Garden is receiving new beds, irrigation, gravel pathways, a fence border and new fruit trees. In addition to using the garden for teaching, the produce will be shared through the Salud Center Food Pantry.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has named OLLU alumni Louise Locker (MSW 1974) and Dr. Santos Hernández (MSW 1976) 2024 Social Worker Pioneers.
Among other contributions to the social work field, Locker was recognized for her Elf Louise Christmas Project which she started over 50 years ago. She is renowned mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to provide gifts for more than one million children. Dubbed “Elf Locker” by the Texas media, Locker has continued her community gift-giving and coordinates hundreds of “Santas” to deliver presents to the homes of tens of thousands of children. Since 1969, Elf Louise has delivered gifts to more than 1 million children.
Dr. Hernández is Emeritus Dean and Emeritus Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. The NASW recognized him for his more than 45 years as a social worker and social work educator. With his career spanning academic appointments with nine universities, two deanships, two lifetime achievement awards, leadership of social work professional organizations, and countless accolades and numerous firsts, Hernández has been an impressive contributor to the field of social work, according to the NASW.
The NASW Social Work Pioneers® program honors members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment, and determination have improved social and human conditions.
In addition to Locker and Hernández, who will be recognized during a special celebration on Oct. 19 in Washington, DC, other OLLU Worden School of Social Service graduates who have been named Social Work Pioneers include Rafael Aguirre (MSW, 1967), Hermila Anzaldua (MSW, 1966), Herman Curiel (MSW, 1962) and Travis Peterson (MSW, 1968).
A comprehensive collection of the stories of all the NASW Social Work Pioneers can be found within the Pioneer Biography Index.
The following is the residence hall move-in schedule for the fall 2024 semester. Students should check their OLLU emails for additional check-in information and procedures. Additional questions can be directed to Residence Life at residencelife@ollusa.edu or by phone at 210-431-3941.
• Monday, Aug. 12 – Men and Women Soccer check-in ONLY at the Residence Life Office located in Slater Apartments between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Living-Learning Communities and all returning athletes check-in ONLY at the Flores C-Store between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 15 – Freshman check-in ONLY at the Flores C-Store between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 16 – All other returning students check-in at the Flores C-Store between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The All-Access Program gives OLLU undergraduate students all course material and textbook rentals at no cost*. All-Access Book Distribution will take place:
Aug. 15-17
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
OLLU Bookstore
Students must have completed payment arrangements and must present their student ID in order to receive books. Textbooks must be returned at the end of the semester or the cost of the books will be added to the student’s account.
To learn more about the program, visit https://www.ollusa.edu/academics/academic-support/ollu-all-access.html.
* Please note: The All-Access Program does not apply to students receiving employee grant in aid, receiving tuition exchange through the Council of Independent Colleges, or to high school students in the dual-credit program. Students in these programs will receive books at a discounted rate.
