OLLU’s Jersig Center will bring hands-on learning and communication awareness to campus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in recognition of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month.
Clinical and academic staff will join members of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the Renaissance Parlor near the main entrance. Students, faculty and staff are invited to explore communication systems and AAC equipment through demonstrations and hands-on activities.
AAC includes techniques and tools that supplement or replace spoken communication, such as picture boards and electronic devices. These approaches help individuals express their thoughts, needs and ideas when spoken language is limited or unavailable.
For students, the event offers an opportunity to connect classroom concepts with practical tools, learn alongside clinical and academic professionals, and develop a deeper understanding of communication accessibility. Participation also gives student organizers an opportunity to practice explaining their field and advocating for inclusive communication.
The collaboration highlights the connection between OLLU’s academic programs, clinical expertise and student engagement. By making specialized knowledge accessible to the broader campus community, the event supports the University’s commitment to service and inclusion while showcasing how professional preparation can address community needs.
Stop by to ask questions, explore AAC equipment and celebrate the many effective ways people communicate.
From turning old T-shirts into toys for shelter dogs to planting a native garden, Our Lady of the Lake University’s Make A Difference Week offers Saints opportunities to care for their neighbors—and the environment—Oct. 19–24.
Coordinated by the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism (CSLV), the week combines donation drives, creative projects and hands-on service reflecting OLLU’s core values of community and service. Last year, 70 participants took part in the university’s activities. This year, organizers hope more than 100 Saints will get involved.
“Service is a part of the fabric and everyday life of this University,” said Dr. Jesse Harasta, director of the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism. “But sometimes having a special week to call out service helps us remember and refresh our commitment to service.”
OLLU’s observance expands on the spirit of national Make A Difference Day, which falls on Oct. 24 this year. Established in 1992, the initiative encourages volunteers of all ages to address community needs. Its national reach has included three million volunteers participating in the 2011 observance, according to Points of Light.
At OLLU, that spirit means responding to needs close to campus. Harasta noted that the university’s understanding of community includes children at the neighboring school, people needing warm clothing or food, and the ecological community surrounding campus.
Donate Throughout the Week
Saints can contribute through three collection efforts:
Nonperishable food: Canned and dried foods will be collected Monday–Saturday for a West Side food pantry. Drop-off locations include Lakeview, Main Building, Saints Café, Worden Building and Sueltenfuss Library.
Books and clothing: Items in good condition will be accepted Monday–Wednesday at the CSLV office in Worden 23 for Wednesday’s swap.
T-shirts: Clean T-shirts in any condition will be accepted Monday–Friday at Worden 23 for the shelter dog toy-making project.
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Share Resources and Creativity
Kappa Delta Chi will sponsor a Book and Clothing Swap from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in Renaissance Parlor. Participants can bring a book or piece of clothing and exchange it for another item. Remaining donations will support public library book sales or a local clothing closet. No registration is required.
OLLU art students will also join Artist-in-Residence Triz Rodríguez to teach children at the neighboring elementary school spray-paint mural techniques in preparation for a larger project in November.
Thursday, Oct. 22: Explore Nature and Support School Neighbors
A Pollinator BioBlitz from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Elmendorf Lake Park will invite students to use the iNaturalist app to document pollinator species. Presented with TExAS FAST and the Math and Science Department, the activity supports a statewide Texas Parks and Wildlife program. Participants will meet at the gate behind Metz Hall, alongside Casa Caritas.
Later, student volunteers will help operate booths at the neighboring elementary school’s Muertitos Fest from 4–7 p.m., with setup beginning at 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23: Give Old T-Shirts a New Purpose
Delta Xi Nu will sponsor Toy Making for Shelter Dogs from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in Renaissance Parlor. Volunteers will cut and transform donated T-shirts into pull toys for shelter dogs in partnership with Pets Alive. No registration is required.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Help Establish the St. Francis Garden
The week concludes with Service Saturday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the St. Francis Garden, behind the softball field near Elmendorf Lake Park. Volunteers will transplant native plants, spread mulch and prepare the grounds to help establish the new native garden.
For registration information for the BioBlitz, Muertitos Fest or Service Saturday, contact the CSLV at cslv@ollusa.edu or visit Worden 23.
Our Lady of the Lake University will put wellness in motion throughout October as students, faculty and staff take part in Exercise is Medicine® On Campus Month, culminating in a campus-wide President’s Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The President’s Walk, beginning at 9 a.m., will serve as the signature event of OLLU’s monthlong activities and bring the Saints community together for an hour dedicated to movement, wellness and connection.
OLLU President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, Ph.D., is encouraging students, faculty, staff and administrators across campus to step away from their regular duties and responsibilities from 9-10 a.m. to participate in the walk. The event will also highlight the positive impact physical activity can have on learning, creativity and overall well-being.
Participants can expect a festive atmosphere along the route, with snacks and water, OLLU’s spirit team, student organization stations and motivational and humorous signs, similar to those seen along marathon routes.
The President’s Walk is part of the national Exercise is Medicine On Campus Walking Challenge, which encourages participating campuses to accumulate as many walking or wheelchair miles as possible during an eight-hour period.
OLLU is the only San Antonio university participating in the official Exercise is Medicine On Campus competition.
“Exercise is Medicine Month is an opportunity to bring our entire campus community together around something that directly affects our health and quality of life — movement,” said Dr. Emily Sauers, OLLU Kinesiology Program Head and organizer of OLLU’s Exercise is Medicine activities. “The President’s Walk gives us a chance to come together as Saints, step away from our daily routines and experience firsthand how movement can support our physical health, learning, creativity and overall well-being.”
OLLU has already demonstrated that Saints know how to get moving. During the 2024 EIM Walking Challenge, OLLU placed fifth nationally, with 149 participants logging 343.3 miles.
Other Exercise is Medicine activities throughout October will help build momentum toward the President’s Walk.
On Oct. 13 and 15, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., students in OLLU’s fitness testing courses will conduct cardiovascular risk assessments for faculty, staff and administrators. Organizers are also working with Phil Vargas to explore participation by Next Level Care.
From Oct. 26-30, fitness testing students will offer Exercise is Medicine activities during Community Hour, providing additional opportunities for members of the OLLU community to incorporate movement into their day.
Faculty, staff, students and administrators are encouraged to participate throughout October — and especially to join President Chávez on Oct. 28 — as OLLU works to build on its previous national Walking Challenge success.
OLLU faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the season at the annual hOLLUween Costume Contest and Social on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, in Main Building, Room 311.
Attendees are welcome to come in everyday attire, but costumes are encouraged for those who want to compete in one of three categories: Most Original Costume, Funniest Costume or Best Group Costume.
Enjoy complimentary refreshments and an opportunity to connect with colleagues during this festive campus gathering.
For more information, email Staff Assembly at sac@ollusa.edu.
OLLU is inviting the campus community to give back in a big way during its annual Halloween-themed blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The blood drive, sponsored by South Texas Blood and Tissue and hosted by OLLU’s Counseling and Wellness Services and the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the front walk between Moye Hall and Main Building, facing 24th Street. Donating blood is a simple act that can make an immediate difference for patients facing emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatment and other serious medical needs. Because blood cannot be manufactured, hospitals rely on volunteer donors to maintain a safe and steady supply. A single donation can help save multiple lives and support patients throughout our community.
Students, faculty and staff who are able to donate are encouraged to make an appointment in advance. A limited number of walk-in donation opportunities also will be available.
Even those who are unable to donate can join the fun. Stop by to enjoy spooky music, snacks and a Halloween-themed craft as the OLLU community comes together to celebrate the season and support an important cause.
Reserve a donation time through the South Texas Blood and Tissue appointment portal. The appointment site could not be independently accessed, so availability should be confirmed directly through the registration link.
The OLLU Division of Mission and Ministry will host acclaimed pianist John Noel Roberts for a free concert on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel.
The program will feature works by Reinagle, Wilder, Rachmaninoff and Brahms. Community members, friends and families are invited to attend and experience an afternoon of piano music in one of OLLU’s most significant sacred spaces. Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel is a historic English Gothic chapel at the heart of the University campus.
Roberts, a Texas native, began his piano studies at OLLU with Sister Mary Elaine Gentemann, C.D.P. He later studied at the Eastman School of Music and the Yale University School of Music. Throughout his career, he has performed in the United States and internationally, including in the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Japan, and Australia.
A Steinway Artist, Roberts previously served as artist in residence and head of music at the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music at Edith Cowan University. He also has held faculty appointments at Furman University, Mercer University, Concordia College, Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at OLLU and as a musician for the Sisters of Divine Providence.
Roberts’ recent artistic work includes performances with The Friends of Alec Wilder in New York City and recordings of Wilder’s piano music. His recording, Alec Wilder, Such a Tender Night, Music for Piano, Volume III, was released by Albany Records/PARMA Recordings.
Event details
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 2:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel Our Lady of the Lake University 411 SW 24th Street San Antonio, TX 78207
Our Lady of the Lake University welcomed more than 500 visitors to campus for the San Anto Zine Fest, a celebration of independent self-publishing, creativity and community.
Hosted by OLLU’s Visual and New Media Arts program, the event brought together artists, zinesters and supporters from San Antonio and beyond. Participating creators traveled from across Texas as well as California, Chicago, Indianapolis and Massachusetts to share their work, connect with fellow artists and celebrate the power of independently produced art and storytelling.
Throughout the event, attendees explored a wide range of zines, publications and creative works that reflected diverse perspectives, artistic styles and personal narratives. The festival created a welcoming space for artists and community members to exchange ideas, discover new voices and support independent makers.
The success of San Anto Zine Fest reflects the dedication of the Visual and New Media Arts program, event organizers, OLLU staff and the many student and community volunteers who helped make the day possible.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, talent and energy to bringing this vibrant event to the OLLU campus—and to the more than 500 visitors who joined us in supporting independent artists and self-publishing.
Early Voting, run by Bexar County Elections Administration, will be in the basement of the Sueltenfuss Library in the Community Room accessed from the entrance on the back side, away from 24th Street.
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, noon – 2 p.m.
Fall Fest on the Mall – Join the Center for Student Involvement for an afternoon of fall fun! Enjoy a petting zoo with exotic animal friends, the Armadillo Express offering train rides around campus, carnival games, prizes, and food trucks with delicious options to buy.
All Fall Fest activities are free and open to everyone in the OLLU community! Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the fun, try their luck at carnival games, win prizes, enter drawings for bigger giveaways, and even snag a Golden Meal Ticket for a free meal from one of our food trucks!
Come out to Fall Fest on the Mall for an afternoon of fun, food, and a little friendly competition!
• Friday, October 23
Saints Programing Board (SPB) Movie & Craft Night with a screening ofThe Nightmare Before Christmas, along with a craft activity and popcorn. The location is still being finalized.
• Saturday, Oct. 24
Make a Difference Day, sponsored by the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism. Volunteers will be planting the St. Francis Pollinator Garden in the area behind the Softball Field, transplanting native plants, spreading mulch and preparing the ground to help establish the new native garden, dedicating it in honor St. Francis during the special Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.
Operated by the Bexar County Elections Administration, the polling location will be in the Community Room on the ground level of Sueltenfuss Library. Access is available through the entrance at the rear of the building, away from 24th Street.
Students who are registered to vote should bring a picture ID. A driver’s license works, but if you do not have that, here is a list of alternatives.
Students cannot use their cell phones, tablet, computer or any device that can record sound or images within the polling place. If you wish to bring a list of candidates, you should print it out and bring it. Students cannot bring firearms into a polling place and you cannot wear clothing with the name of any candidate, measure or political party, even if they’re not on the ballot.
For more information, visit this website put out by the League of Women Voters, which may help you understand what is on the ballot and what each position’s role in government entails: VOTE411. See the Lake Weekly article for more information
Welcome OLLU’s Fall 2026 Artist in Residence, Dr. G. Beatriz “Triz” Rodríguez
The OLLU community is invited to welcome Dr. G. Beatriz “Triz” Rodríguez, the university’s Fall 2026 Artist in Residence, during a special event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 23, in the MARC Ballroom, second floor. The event is free and open to the public. A San Antonio-raised educator, scholar and Hip Hop practitioner, Rodríguez has nearly 30 years of experience working in public schools and community spaces across the United States. Her doctoral research led to the development of a “True” Hip Hop Education model, which she later implemented in her own classroom to promote student engagement, empowerment, excellence, empathy and equality.
Rodríguez also co-founded Universal Style School in San Antonio and is a leader in advancing Hip Hop pedagogy as a transformative, justice-centered approach to education. Her aerosol artwork, created to uplift and celebrate community, can be seen throughout San Antonio, across the United States and in Mexico.
The first-floor elevator for the MARC building is located outside at the rear of the building.
• Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Volleyball Game
Come out and cheer on OLLU Saints Volleyball as the Saints take on the University of the Southwest Mustangs at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Mabee Gymnasium. OLLU enters the matchup with a 7-9 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Red River Athletic Conference play.
The evening is also Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night. The volleyball team will recognize five faculty members before the match, and all faculty and staff who attend and complete a short survey will be entered into a drawing for a $125 wine and cheese basket from Otto’s Cheese Shop in New Braunfels.
It’s also Hawaiian Theme Night, so wear your best island attire, arrive early and get ready to cheer the Saints on to victory. #WINGSUP!
• Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
Step Up for San Antonio’s West Side at the Casita del Barrio 5K
Lace up your running shoes and support a great cause at the 4th Annual Casita del Barrio Steps to Brighter Tomorrows 5K/1K, benefiting House of Neighborly Service, which provides vital community services to families and residents of San Antonio’s historic West Side.
The walk/run will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 S.W. 24th St. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 8:30 a.m.
Registration is currently $40, but members of the OLLU community can receive 25% off by entering promo code OLLU25 at checkout at HNS 4th Annual Steps to Brighter Tomorrow Walk/Run | Athlete Guild Productions. Participants may register through the morning of the race, although late registrants are not guaranteed a T-shirt or other race materials.
Please come out and help House of Neighborly Service continue making a difference for our West Side neighbors.
• Saturday, Oct. 2, 2026
The OLLU community is invited to run, walk or roll for a cause at the 14th Annual Purple Run 5K, Saturday, Oct. 3, at Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 S.W. 24th St. Hosted by Family Violence Prevention Services and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County, the family-friendly event honors domestic violence survivors, remembers those who have lost their lives and raises awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Even family dogs are welcome.
The issue has particular significance locally. Event organizers note that one in three Texas women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and that Bexar County has one of the highest reported rates of domestic violence in the state.
Race-day activities begin at 6:30 a.m., with an opening ceremony at 7:50 a.m., a free Kids Fun Run at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K beginning at 8:30 a.m. Participants can choose a timed or non-timed 5K. Registration is $40 beginning Sept. 22; teams of five or more can register for $30 per person.
Our Lady of the Lake University, in collaboration with The Art of Four Art Initiative, will present “SOMOS: A Tapestry of Heritage,” a Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibition celebrating the histories, identities and lived experiences that shape Hispanic and Latino culture.
The free exhibition opens Thursday, Sept. 17, and will remain on display through Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in the Main Building third-floor common hallway. It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“SOMOS” features established and emerging artists of Mexican, Cuban, Honduran and Puerto Rican heritage, alongside students from OLLU’s art program. The intergenerational exhibition includes a father and daughter exhibiting their work, highlighting how culture, storytelling and artistic expression can be shared across generations.
Through a range of media, the works explore culture, identity, resilience, memory and belonging. Curated by Maria M. Williams, founder and cultural strategist of The Art of Four Art Initiative, the exhibition creates space for artists to share their cultures authentically and on their own terms.
“Our stories matter, and the way we choose to tell those stories matters,” Williams said. “Every artist brings a different experience, a different history, and a different perspective, and all of those stories belong in the tapestry of our heritage.”
