Category: News

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


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.

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 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

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.

IFCC Welcomes Spring 2026 Artist in Residence Xelena Gonzalez and Invites Campus to Dance This Spring

The International Folk Culture Center (IFCC) at Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to welcome Xelena Gonzalez as its Spring 2026 Artist in Residence.

Xelena Gonzalez is a published author, speaker, and healing arts practitioner whose work centers on writing, movement, and embodied connection. During her residency at OLLU, Xelena will explore and experiment with movement and dance as tools for healing, using her project Lotería Remedios as a creative and cultural framework. This work serves as the foundation for an embodied movement practice that invites participants to reflect, move, and connect through shared experience.

The campus community is invited to meet Xelena and learn more about her work at a Welcome Reception and Lotería Night, where she will introduce her residency project, participate in a brief Q&A, and engage attendees through games, prizes, and light refreshments.

RSVP HERE

Xelena’s residency also kicks off an exciting season of movement, dance, and community gatherings hosted by the IFCC throughout the spring semester.

As part of this programming, the IFCC invites students, faculty, and staff to take a break, get moving, and connect during Spring Dance Demos, held in the Mall Area during community hour.

In addition to the weekly dance demos, the IFCC has a full lineup of Spring 2026 events, including:

  • Bridgerton Regency Wear Workshop
  • February 14 – Contra Dance
  • February 14 – Bridgerton Tea & Dance
  • March 7 – The Gatherings Art Workshops & Talks
  • March 27–April 1 – Selena Fiesta
  • April 7–10 – Spring Dance Programming

Whether you’re curious about embodied healing practices, interested in cultural dance traditions, or simply looking for a joyful way to connect with the OLLU community, the IFCC invites you to join us this spring.

For more information, contact ifcc@ollusa.edu

Dr. Charlin Jones-Chavez Selected as 2026 NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship Recipient

Dr. Charlin Jones-Chavez, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has been selected as a 2026 NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship recipient to attend the 2026 Institute for New AVPs and the 2026 AVP Symposium in Denver, Colorado January 22-26.

The NASPA Institute for New AVPs is a foundational three-day learning and networking experience designed to support and develop AVPs in their unique and challenging roles on campus. The Institute is specifically designed for AVPs and other senior-level “number twos” who report to the highest-ranking student affairs officer and who are within their first two years in the role. This is an opportune time for Dr. Jones-Chavez to attend as she is closing out her first year as AVP at OLLU.

The NASPA AVP Symposium is a unique and innovative three-day program that supports and develops AVPs and other “number twos” in their campus leadership roles. Leveraging the expertise of sitting AVPs from across the nation, the Symposium provides high-level content through engaging, practice-driven sessions focused on leadership, strategy, and institutional impact.

The NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship provides financial support for NASPA members facing hardship to attend professional development events by covering registration costs. This recognition reflects both professional excellence and NASPA’s investment in Dr. Jones-Chavez’s continued growth as a senior leader in higher education.

“I am deeply grateful to NASPA for this opportunity and investment. I am also thankful for the support from Jennifer Bendele, Vice President for Students, to engage in this meaningful professional development. I’m excited to learn alongside colleagues from across the country and to bring back new insight, strategies, and perspective that will strengthen our work and continue advancing student success at OLLU.”

– Dr. Jones-Chavez

Marching for Justice: OLLU at the MLK Day Parade

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly participated in yesterday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March, joining the broader community in honoring Dr. King’s legacy of justice, service, and unity.

Despite the chilly weather, a strong and spirited group of OLLU students, faculty, staff, and the Sisters of Divine Providence marched together, representing the heart of our mission. Carrying OLLU flags, our community stood in visible solidarity for equity, dignity, and peace.

Moments like these reflect OLLU’s continued commitment to social justice and living out our mission beyond campus—walking together in hope, courage, and service to others.

Saints Stay Competitive in Physical Test Against LSU Shreveport

Our Lady of the Lake women’s basketball battled throughout the evening but came up short in a 78–61 loss to LSU Shreveport on Thursday night in Shreveport. Despite the final score, the Saints showed fight and composure against a physically aggressive opponent and remained competitive for much of the contest.

The Saints opened the game with confidence, moving the ball effectively and finding quality looks on the offensive end. Macie Moss set the tone early, attacking the defense and stretching the floor, while Alexandra Westerdijk Martin controlled the tempo with steady decision-making. Our Lady of the Lake matched LSU Shreveport possession for possession in the opening quarter and stayed within reach by playing disciplined basketball and limiting trips to the free-throw line for the hosts.

As LSU Shreveport increased defensive pressure, the Saints continued to respond with poise. Moss led all OLLU scorers with 19 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Westerdijk Martin followed with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Samantha Fields added 10 points, including two timely three-pointers, while Shayla Dede contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists while working relentlessly on both ends of the floor.

Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake competed hard against one of the top scorers in the conference. The Saints forced LSU Shreveport into contested shots and held them near the perimeter for long stretches. While turnovers proved costly at times, many came as a result of aggressive defense rather than lack of execution, and the Saints continued to fight through every possession.

Off the bench, Evangeline Hernandez provided an important spark, scoring five points in 14 minutes and adding energy when the Saints needed a lift. Amya Miller-Singleton contributed on the boards, helping OLLU battle in the paint against a larger lineup. Overall, the Saints shot an efficient 45.3 percent from the field and an impressive 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, reflecting strong offensive fundamentals.

Even as LSU Shreveport pulled ahead in the second half, Our Lady of the Lake never stopped competing, showing resilience and togetherness until the final buzzer. The Saints finished with 18 assists, a testament to their unselfish play and commitment to team basketball. While the result did not go their way, the performance highlighted the growth, effort, and determination of the OLLU program as it continues to build momentum moving forward. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Texas A&M-Texarkana.