Category: News

OLLU Returns Experience and Leadership Ahead of RRAC Campaign

While the spotlight of the 2026 RRAC Baseball Preseason Poll shines squarely on defending national champion LSU Shreveport, the poll also underscores a growing sense of opportunity for programs positioned just behind the Pilots, particularly Our Lady of the Lake. Picked fourth in the preseason rankings, the Saints enter the new season with momentum, experience, and a roster capable of closing the gap in a conference long dominated by LSUS.

Our Lady of the Lake is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which it posted a 30-23 overall record and finished 20-10 in conference play. As the fourth seed in the RRAC postseason, the Saints proved competitive by winning two of four tournament games, a performance that reflected both resilience and depth. Under Head Coach Matt Piker, now entering his fifth season, OLLU has established consistency and stability. Piker owns a 88-67 overall record and a 56-33 mark in RRAC play, numbers that place the Saints firmly among the league’s most reliable programs.

A major reason for optimism in San Antonio is the return of Jack Kalisky, an RRAC All-Conference utility player who has already earned national recognition as a 2026 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-American. Kalisky’s versatility and leadership provide OLLU with a cornerstone piece on both sides of the ball, and his presence sets the tone for a veteran roster that understands the demands of conference contention. With returning talent and a proven coaching staff, the Saints are positioned to be more than just a dark horse in 2026.

LSU Shreveport’s unprecedented 59-0 season and unanimous selection atop the poll present a formidable challenge for every RRAC program. However, preseason rankings often reflect past results more than future potential. For Our Lady of the Lake, the fourth-place projection serves less as a limitation and more as motivation. As the Saints open the season, they do so with a clear path forward, aiming to turn steady progress into postseason success and reassert themselves as a legitimate threat in one of the NAIA’s most competitive Baseball conferences.

OLLU Softball Ranked Third In RRAC Preseason Poll

Despite being slotted third in the 2026 RRAC Softball Preseason Poll, Our Lady of the Lake enters the new season positioned as one of the conference’s most formidable programs following a dominant 2025 campaign. The Saints earned a first-place vote and finished just one point shy of second in the poll, underscoring the respect they command across the league.

OLLU was one of four RRAC teams to qualify for the 2025 NAIA National Championship Tournament and proved its championship pedigree throughout the year. The Saints posted an outstanding 27-1 conference record, with their only regular-season loss coming to LSU Alexandria in April. When it mattered most, OLLU responded emphatically, defeating LSUA twice in the postseason, including a 5-2 win and a 3-0 shutout in the championship game. OLLU finished the conference tournament a perfect 4-0 to claim the RRAC title.

The Saints postseason success highlighted their consistency and resilience against top-tier competition. OLLU also notched key victories over Texas A&M-Texarkana during the season, continuing a trend of strong performances against fellow national qualifiers. At the NAIA National Championship Tournament, OLLU went 2-2, further demonstrating its ability to compete on the national stage.

As the program turns the page, OLLU enters a new era with assistant coach Joey Armijo taking over as head coach in August 2025. Armijo brings continuity and stability after working alongside longtime head coach Bruce Lenington for six seasons, during which the Saints compiled a 238-64 record and established themselves as a perennial RRAC contender.

With a proven roster, championship experience, and a seamless coaching transition, Our Lady of the Lake heads into 2026 poised to challenge for another conference title. While preseason rankings offer a snapshot of expectations, the Saints recent history suggests they are well-positioned to exceed them and remain a central force in the RRAC race.

Preseason poll voting was submitted by each head coach. The results, shown below, are based on points calculated with an 11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 format. First-place votes are indicated in parentheses.

RankSchoolPoints
1.LSU Alexandria (9)99
2.Texas A&M-Texarkana85
3.Our Lady of the Lake (1)84
4.Texas A&M-Victoria69
5.Texas A&M-San Antonio58
6.Louisiana Christian47
7.Xavier38
8.Southwest32
9.Jarvis Christian25
10.Texas College18

Cynthia Rocha Appointed Acting Executive Director for Advancement

Cynthia Rocha has been appointed Acting Executive Director for Advancement at Our Lady of the Lake University, serving in this role through June 2026, while continuing her responsibilities as Director of Alumni Relations.

In this expanded capacity, Cynthia will provide leadership and continuity for Advancement initiatives, supporting alumni engagement, fundraising efforts, and donor relations aligned with the University’s mission. Her deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships with alumni and supporters, and proven leadership make her well-positioned to guide Advancement during this transitional period.

Woolfolk School to Host Lecture Series and Speech Therapy Career Fair on January 31

The Woolfolk School of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Our Lady of the Lake University will host a full day of learning and career connection on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The morning will feature the biennial Woolfolk Lecture Series, highlighting doctoral student research in key areas of speech-language pathology, including early intervention, feeding and swallowing, autism spectrum disorder, and augmentative and alternative communication. Continuing Education credits for SLPs and SLPAs will be available.

In the afternoon, the Woolfolk School will host its Speech Therapy Career Fair, welcoming employers from a variety of settings who are seeking SLP-Assistants, Clinical Fellows/Interns, and fully certified SLPs. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with employers and explore job openings.

Both events will take place on campus. For full schedules, locations, and registration details, please see the event flyer.

Woolfolk_Lecture_Career_Fair_combinedflyer_1.21.26Download


2025 W‑2 Forms – Availability and Access

W‑2 forms for calendar year 2025 will be available digitally through Employee Self-Service via Saints Connect beginning Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Digital W‑2s (Electronic Consent Given)

Employees who have previously provided electronic consent will be able to access and download their W‑2s directly from Employee Self-Service on January 28.

Please note: OLLU will not mail W‑2s to current employees who have given electronic consent. Employees must print their W‑2s from Employee Self-Service.

Mailed W‑2s (No Electronic Consent)

Employees who have not given electronic consent will receive their W‑2s via U.S. mail at the address on file with Human Resources.

  • W‑2 forms were mailed and postmarked on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • W‑2s cannot be picked up in person by current or former employees.
Re‑Mail Requests

Payroll will begin processing requests to re‑mail W‑2s after February 6, 2026.

If you have not received your mailed W‑2 after that date, please email payroll@ollusa.edu.

Important Update: New Information on Your 2025 W‑2 Form

Starting with your 2025 Form W‑2, a few employees may notice a new entry in Box 14 labeled “Qual OT.”
This entry will appear only for employees who received Qualified Overtime in 2025 under federal overtime rules.

This amount represents the premium portion of your overtime pay (the extra half‑time required under federal law) and is being provided to help you take advantage of a potential tax benefit created by recent federal legislation.

Key Points to Know

  • Not all employees will see this entry.
Salaried employees who are exempt from overtime and hourly employees who did not earn any Qualified Overtime in 2025 will not have a “Qual OT” amount on their W‑2.
  • This amount does not affect your taxable wages or your paycheck.
  • It is provided for informational purposes only to assist you when filing your 2025 federal tax return.
  • You may use this figure when determining eligibility for the new overtime deduction on your federal return.

If you have questions about how this information may affect your tax filing, please consult a qualified tax professional or visit IRS.gov for more details.

Thank you for reviewing this update. We are committed to keeping you informed about changes that may benefit you.

Questions

For any questions regarding your W‑2, please contact the Payroll Office at:
payroll@ollusa.edu

How to Access Your W‑2 Online or Give Electronic Consent

Access to Employee Self-Service is available through the Saints Connect dashboard:

https://experience.elluciancloud.com/olotlu

Once logged in:

  1. Go to the Employee Self-Service card.
  2. Select Tax Info to view your W‑2 or update your consent preferences.

El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference Kickoff on February 2

Our Lady of the Lake University will host the El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference: Stories of Resilience Since the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a Blessing of the Throat mass and a Blessing of the Seeds Ceremony with a dance performance by Grupo Xinatli Danza Azteca in St. Anne’s Courtyard. The program will run through Friday, February 6.

The conference marks the return of the Segundo de Febrero observance to OLLU, where the tradition originated in the late 1970s as part of campus-based social justice initiatives. The event explores the lasting cultural, linguistic, and social impact of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) through scholarly presentations, community dialogue, cultural performances, and archival exhibits.

Highlights include discussions on language and identity, panels featuring Mexican American Studies scholars, an exhibit of original Segundo de Febrero materials from the OLLU Archives, and a community mural restoration project in collaboration with local partners.

The event is open to the public and invites students, faculty, and community members to engage with this living history and its continued relevance today.

View the schedule & Register for free

OLLU Celebrates $2 Million Raised and Launches Community Matching Challenge

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrated a major milestone last Thursday, January 22, recognizing the successful completion of a $2 million fundraising goal achieved in 2025. The celebration brought together members of the OLLU community to reflect on the impact of collective generosity and to look ahead toward an ambitious new challenge.

During the event, the University President acknowledged the dedication and support of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners who made this achievement possible. Building on that momentum, the President issued a call to action for the OLLU community to match the $2 million raised by the end of 2026—doubling the impact and further strengthening the University’s mission.

The celebration also featured remarks from OLLU student-athlete Katherine Delgadillo, who shared her perspective on how donor support directly impacts students and their experiences at the Lake.

“Your support places keys into students’ hands, keys that unlock opportunity, purpose, and hope…thank you for believing in students like me…” – Katherine Delgadillo

As the University looks ahead to 2026, this matching challenge serves as an invitation for the entire OLLU community to continue investing in the future of the Lake. Together, we can build on this momentum and create even greater opportunities for current and future Saints.

Make A Donation

Read the full story here.

OLLU Returns Experience and Leadership Ahead of RRAC Campaign

While the spotlight of the 2026 RRAC Baseball Preseason Poll shines squarely on defending national champion LSU Shreveport, the poll also underscores a growing sense of opportunity for programs positioned just behind the Pilots, particularly Our Lady of the Lake. Picked fourth in the preseason rankings, the Saints enter the new season with momentum, experience, and a roster capable of closing the gap in a conference long dominated by LSUS.

Our Lady of the Lake is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which it posted a 30-23 overall record and finished 20-10 in conference play. As the fourth seed in the RRAC postseason, the Saints proved competitive by winning two of four tournament games, a performance that reflected both resilience and depth. Under Head Coach Matt Piker, now entering his fifth season, OLLU has established consistency and stability. Piker owns a 120-91 overall record and a 79-44 mark in RRAC play, numbers that place the Saints firmly among the league’s most reliable programs.

A major reason for optimism in San Antonio is the return of Jack Kalisky, an RRAC All-Conference utility player who has already earned national recognition as a 2026 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-American. Kalisky’s versatility and leadership provide OLLU with a cornerstone piece on both sides of the ball, and his presence sets the tone for a veteran roster that understands the demands of conference contention. With returning talent and a proven coaching staff, the Saints are positioned to be more than just a dark horse in 2026.

LSU Shreveport’s unprecedented 59-0 season and unanimous selection atop the poll present a formidable challenge for every RRAC program. However, preseason rankings often reflect past results more than future potential. For Our Lady of the Lake, the fourth-place projection serves less as a limitation and more as motivation. As the Saints open the season, they do so with a clear path forward, aiming to turn steady progress into postseason success and reassert themselves as a legitimate threat in one of the NAIA’s most competitive Baseball conferences.

Campanas de América Valentine’s Day Concert: Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the beautiful sounds of Campanas de América at this special concert benefiting student scholarships at Our Lady of the Lake University.

This beloved annual performance has been a sold-out event in previous years, so attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Tickets are available online only and will not be sold at the door.

Proceeds from the event support the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship, which helps provide critical financial assistance to OLLU students. By attending, you’re not only enjoying an unforgettable musical experience—you’re also making a meaningful investment in our students and their futures.

Purchase tickets
Support the legacy scholarship

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate love, music, and the power of giving back to the OLLU community.

“A Comfort In The End” Art Exhibit Explores Change, Loss, and Renewal

A Comfort In The End Art Exhibit
Featuring Visual Arts Professors:

  • Professor Tori Quemada, MAE
  • Professor Mark Anthony Martinez, MFA

A Comfort In The End is a two-person exhibition, featuring works that speak to the inevitability of change.

Here, Professors Tori Quemada, MAE and Mark Anthony Martinez, MFA; combine concepts from two separate bodies of work that encourage their audiences to brace for inevitable change. Changes that can come with health scares, evolving relationships, or even growth! Acknowledging that change is not necessarily a bad thing; but to recognize change as a fact of life that we must all contend with – however it arrives.

Through Quemada’s animal portraits, the photos are taken in the final days (sometimes moments) of a subject’s life. Here, moments of strength and care are captured before the ultimate passing of the beloved pet. Quemada solemnly renders in black and white, a testament of an enduring love beyond the animal’s lifetime.

Additionally, this exhibition also highlights joys of reflection and potential for evolution after a moment of crisis or grief.

This can be seen in Martinez’ “asteroid forms” wherein these forms are rendered in neon magenta. A color that, while intense, can be perceived as festive and attention grabbing – intended to root an audience in their present moment. Indeed, the forms themselves may remind an audience of a certain food item enjoyed in youth (the hint being the boot shape).

The hope of the exhibition is that we share levity behind a phenomenon so heavy as change.

The end after all is just another beginning.