Dr. Sauers was recently awarded the Physical Education and Screening Grant under the Franklin Microgrant Program supported by the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation. Only one grant is awarded yearly. Grant monies will be used to expand offerings during Exercise is Medicine Month (October) at OLLU.
The Exercise is Medicine leadership team will work over the summer to organize and launch the S.A.I.N.T.S Challenge program in fall 2025. The S.A.I.N.T.S Challenge will include health and fitness screenings, team-based exercise programs, and prizes. Members of the leadership team include Dr. Sauers, Alyssa Garcia. Karen D’Armata, Lenor Berma, Sara Garza, and Kaitlyn Olivas.
The University is pleased to announce the publication of The Prayer of the Mantis, a new poetry collection by Dr. Jacob Friesenhahn, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies.
Published by Kelsay Books, the collection features 116 original poems exploring themes such as spirituality, nature, memory, and the human experience. Dr. Friesenhahn’s poems are accessible, imaginative, and surprising. They invite reflection on the mysterious within the ordinary.
The Prayer of the Mantis is now available through Amazon.
We are proud to announce that Dr. Octavio Quintanilla, Professor of English, has been inducted into the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters (TIL). TIL members include the state’s most distinguished writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, journalism, and scholarship, recognizing excellence in literary achievement.
Dr. Quintanilla is an accomplished poet and writer. He is the author of If I Go Missing (Slough Press, 2014), The Book of Wounded Sparrows (Texas Review Press, 2024)—which has been longlisted for the National Book Award—and Las Horas Imposibles / The Impossible Hours, winner of the 2024 Ambroggio Prize of the Academy of American Poets (University of Arizona Press).
Beyond his literary contributions, Dr. Quintanilla is a dedicated advocate for the arts. He is the founder and director of the literature and arts festival, VersoFrontera, and the publisher of Alabrava Press. He also previously served as the Poet Laureate of San Antonio, TX. His Frontextos (visual poems) have been widely published and exhibited, showcasing his innovative approach to poetry and the visual arts.
Join us in congratulating Dr. Octavio Quintanilla on this well-deserved recognition! Follow his work on Instagram: @writeroctavioquintanilla.
Join us for a special literary event as Dr. Wallis R. Sanborn III shares a reading from his latest collection, Son of Bukowski. This exciting evening will take place on Thursday, March 27th, in Main 311, from 6 PM to 8 PM, and will also feature special guest Octavio Quintanilla.
Dr. Sanborn’s poetry captures life’s struggles and hopes with honesty and emotion, using words to preserve history and truth
Reflecting on the importance of remembering and sharing stories, Dr. Sanborn is guided by the words of Elie Wiesel, a writer and survivor who once said:
“My life as a writer—or my life, period—would not have become what it is: that of a witness who believes he has a moral obligation to try to prevent the enemy from enjoying one last victory by allowing his crimes to be erased from human memory.”
Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and creativity!
Are you approaching Medicare eligibility or simply want to learn more about how it works? Join us for Medicare 101, an informative session presented by Gerry De Llano, Licensed Agent, designed to help you navigate the complexities of Medicare with confidence.
Event Details: 📅 Thursday, March 20, 2025 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 Main 311A
Topics Covered:
Medicare Basics – Understanding the Four Parts of Medicare
When and How to Enroll in Medicare
Medicare Costs and Coverage Options
Whether you’re planning for your own healthcare or helping a loved one, this session will provide valuable insights to ensure you’re informed about your choices. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your Medicare questions answered by an experienced professional.
Spring is just around the corner, making it the ideal time to be attentive to the opportunities for the year ahead. What better way to bring in the fresh air of Springtime and concentrate on the possibilities of what lies ahead for the coming year, than to focus on campus cleanup. Looking to rid of your unwanted office items? Look no further. OLLU will be hosting a bulky item clean-up day on March 12, 2025. If you have any office items that you can physically carry, please bring them to one of the two collection sites labeled on the map below. Please see specific details of next week’s housekeeping cleaning schedule and drop-off times:
Housekeeping (regular cleaning) – On Monday and Thursday, our exceptional cleaning staff will perform regular cleaning duties across campus. Tuesday and Wednesday they will be on special assignment cleaning specific areas on campus designated by leadership.
Collection times – Have your items at one of the designated collection sites no later than Tuesday at 5 p.m. If assistance is needed with any heavy items in your office, please request assistance by Monday 12 p.m. at ✉️physicalplant@ollusa.edu.
If you have any additional questions, please direct them to the Office of the Chief of Staff at chiefofstaff@ollusa.edu.
We are excited to introduce Liana Morales, MA, MLS, as the new Special Collections and Archives Librarian at Our Lady of the Lake University. In this role, Liana oversees Special Collections, University Archives, and the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research (CMASR) collection.
With a strong dedication to research assistance, Liana aims to ensure that students, faculty, and independent researchers have seamless access to these invaluable resources. Her expertise includes helping locate primary sources, guiding archival research, supporting digital preservation initiatives, and assisting with citation and source evaluation.
Liana is deeply committed to preserving archival materials with respect to cultural heritage while also developing the collection to remain relevant and sustainable for future research needs. Through outreach, education, and collaboration with the university community, she strives to enhance access and engagement with archival materials.
For research assistance, Liana can be reached at limorales@ollusa.edu or by phone at 210-528-7101.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Liana brings over 15 years of library experience. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and swimming. She looks forward to working closely with students, faculty, and staff to support scholarly work and foster a deeper connection with archival research.
Please join us in welcoming Liana Morales to the university community!
Last week, information was communicated regarding the Follett All-Access Textbook program and its discontinuation at the end of the Spring 2025 semester. OLLU will no longer participate in the Program beginning in Summer 2025 and students will be responsible for the cost of course materials. Keep in mind that digital options are often the most cost-effective textbook options.
As educators, you inspire, transform, and mold young minds to aspire to new heights. This discontinuation of the program may bring uncertainty, but rest assured, your impact on these students creates more value in their lives.
Also mentioned last week, OLLU is exploring another avenue to provide affordable books to our students. Stay tuned for more information regarding an alternative textbook program.
A strong, consistent brand enhances Our Lady of the Lake University’s reputation and ensures that our identity remains recognizable and professional across all platforms. To achieve this, all university materials—digital and print—must adhere to OLLU’s official brand guidelines. These standards help maintain visual consistency in communications, promotional materials, signage, and digital content.
Key Brand Guidelines:
Approved Vendors: All branded university materials should be produced through approved vendors to ensure quality and consistency.
Logos: Only official OLLU logos may be used. Modifications, distortions, or alternative versions are not permitted.
Color Palette: All materials must adhere to OLLU’s official color scheme to maintain a unified visual identity.
Typography & Fonts: The designated fonts must be used for all official university communications and marketing materials.
Brand Placement: Logos and brand elements must be positioned according to the approved templates to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Marketing & Communications Approval: Any materials representing OLLU must be reviewed and approved by Marketing and Communications prior to distribution, including internal and external communications.
Compliance Deadlines:
February 14, 2025: All digital materials (email signatures, social media graphics, website content) must reflect OLLU’s updated logo.
March 31, 2025: All printed materials (business cards, brochures, flyers, signage) must align with the university’s branding standards.
Ensuring adherence to these guidelines reinforces OLLU’s brand identity, strengthens our community’s visibility, and enhances the impact of our messaging. Thank you for your collaboration in maintaining a strong and professional OLLU brand!
For approvals, vendor information, or questions, please contact Marketing and Communications at marcomm@ollusa.edu.
In our continued commitment to supporting survivors of sexual harassment and assault, we emphasize the importance of Cultural Humility. This concept is about embracing self-reflection and recognizing that our interactions with individuals of different cultural backgrounds are ever-evolving. It’s not a destination but an ongoing process of curiosity, learning, and growth.
This week, we encourage you to take a moment to watch the Culturally Informed Care for BIPOC & Indigenous Sexual Assault Survivors video (available here). The video explores culturally informed care practices specifically tailored to BIPOC and Indigenous survivors of sexual assault. It offers valuable techniques and approaches that can help you provide the most empathetic, culturally sensitive, and effective support.
Remember, your role as a faculty or staff member can make a significant difference in creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors. We also encourage you to continue to familiarize yourself with the university’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and learn more about the Title IX team and confidential services available to all members of our community.
Together, we can be better equipped to offer meaningful support to every survivor we encounter.
Title IX Coordinador Guadalupe (Lupita) Marquez, PhD., MLS Email: gmarquez@Ollusa.edu | Phone: 210-431-4122 | Cell: 210-214-2764
Let’s continue working together to support each other and create a space where everyone can thrive.
