College Station, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s and women’s cross country teams competed against a strong field Saturday at Texas A&M, with both squads gaining valuable experience against a mix of NCAA Division I and Division II competition.
The OLLU men finished ninth in the team standings in the 8K, totaling 263 points. The Saints were led by freshman Izaac Moran, who crossed the finish line in 25:20.9 to place 27th overall.
Junior Jesus Lopez followed Moran, finishing 34th in 25:33.0. Junior Juan Perez recorded a time of 26:27.9 to place 62nd, while junior Jesus Gonzalez finished 64th in 26:29.4. Junior Jose Poblano rounded out OLLU’s scoring five, placing 76th in 27:07.7.
The Saints’ next two runners were freshman Andres Gonzalez, who finished 83rd in 27:37.2, and junior Luis Adams, who placed 87th in 28:02.5.
OLLU finished with a team time of 2:10:59 and an average of 26:11 per runner. Stephen F. Austin claimed the men’s team title with 39 points, followed by Texas with 58 and TCU with 72.
On the women’s side, the Saints were represented by a young group competing in the 5K. Sophomore Zaddie Santacruz led OLLU with a 19:27.7 finish, placing 76th overall.
Senior Jocelynn Reyes was next across the line for the Saints, finishing 113th in 21:47.3. Freshman Serenity Williams posted a time of 22:43.2 to place 116th, followed by sophomore Claudia Lopez in 117th at 22:49.8.
The competition provided OLLU with an opportunity to test itself against a deep field that included nationally competitive programs. SMU swept the top three individual spots in the women’s race, while Stephen F. Austin’s Mercy Kipchumba was fourth. Texas A&M’s Alexandra Fox led the Aggies with a ninth-place finish in 17:35.1.
San Antonio, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University women’s volleyball team picked up a pair of wins over Louisiana Christian this week, earning a 3-1 victory before completing the sweep with a 3-0 triumph at Mabee Gymnasium.
The Saints improved to 7-9 overall and 3-1 in conference play following the two victories, while Louisiana Christian fell to 1-9 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
OLLU opened the week with a 3-1 victory, winning the first set 25-11 before Louisiana Christian edged the Saints 27-25 in the second. OLLU responded emphatically, taking the third set 25-10 before closing out the match with a 25-16 fourth-set victory.
Sophia Castillo anchored the defensive effort with 19 digs, and Arianna Moreno distributed the offense with 11 assists. Josalynn Saldana recorded three service aces, while Gregory-Obiedo added two.
The Saints returned to action against Louisiana Christian at Mabee Gymnasium and delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the Wildcats 25-10, 25-20, 25-15.
OLLU controlled the match from the opening serve, hitting .407 as a team in the first set and .345 in the third. The Saints finished the match with a .265 hitting percentage while limiting Louisiana Christian to a .034 mark.
Gregory-Obiedo again paced the attack with 10 kills and added three service aces. Anais Velazquez Figueroa recorded nine kills, while Maylin Ortega and Bailey Scott each contributed seven. Nicole Bir added four kills while hitting .429 and chipped in four total blocks.
Moreno continued to direct the Saints’ offense, finishing with 16 assists, while Sofia Chapa added 14 assists. Castillo recorded 12 digs to lead the defensive effort, with Ortega adding nine.
With the back-to-back victories, OLLU moved to 3-1 in conference play and continued to build momentum in the early portion of its league schedule. The Saints will look to carry that momentum into their upcoming matches as conference competition continues.
San Antonio, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University women’s soccer team battled Wiley University to a 1-1 draw, overcoming an early deficit and playing the final portion of the match with 10 players.
Wiley struck first in the 22nd minute when Grace Reed found the back of the net off an assist from Eleonora Diversi, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
OLLU responded in the second half when Mariah Williams scored an unassisted goal in the 61st minute to bring the match level at 1-1. Williams led the Saints with four shots and three shots on goal while recording OLLU’s lone goal.
The Saints continued to generate opportunities throughout the second half, finishing the match with 19 shots, including seven on target. Leah Tapia added three shots with one on goal, while Diversi recorded six shots and three shots on goal while also earning an assist.
OLLU goalkeeper Avery Palmer made three saves over 90 minutes to help preserve the draw. Wiley goalkeeper Destiny Allison recorded six saves.
The Saints faced additional adversity in the 66th minute when Samantha Rodriguez and Wiley’s Monica Sanchez were both issued red cards, leaving both teams with 10 players for the remainder of the match. OLLU also received a yellow card in the contest.
OLLU controlled much of the attacking play, earning eight corner kicks compared to none for Wiley. The Saints finished with 19 shots to Wiley’s six and held a 12-7 advantage in shots during the second half.
The draw gave OLLU another hard-fought result as the Saints continued their season against a competitive Wiley squad.
San Antonio, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s soccer team delivered a strong defensive performance and a three-goal first half to defeat Wiley University 3-0.
The Saints wasted little time finding the scoreboard, with Jovani Contreras opening the scoring just 2:31 into the match. Michael Joy provided the assist as OLLU took an early 1-0 advantage.
OLLU doubled its lead in the 35th minute when Alexis Vega finished a pass from Alessandro Sierra to make it 2-0. The Saints added another goal just before halftime, with Marouane Rouggani scoring in the 45th minute off another assist from Sierra.
OLLU carried its 3-0 advantage into halftime and maintained control throughout the second half. The Saints finished with 12 shots, including six on target, while limiting Wiley to nine shots and four on goal.
Contreras, Vega and Rouggani each found the back of the net for OLLU, while Sierra played a key role in the attack with two assists. Joy also recorded an assist on the opening goal.
The Saints’ defense held firm in the second half, keeping Wiley off the scoreboard despite the Wildcats’ opportunities. OLLU goalkeeper Zak Averns made four saves in 61 minutes of action, while Damian Eguez and Mario Rubio also saw time in goal to help preserve the shutout.
OLLU also controlled the corner-kick battle, earning 12 compared to three for Wiley.
The match became more physical as it progressed, with several yellow cards issued to both teams. Wiley’s Salvador Vazquez was shown a red card in the 62nd minute, leaving the Wildcats with 10 players for the remainder of the contest.
The 3-0 victory gave the Saints a complete performance on both sides of the ball, combining early offensive pressure with a disciplined defensive effort to secure the shutout.
This past summer, OLLU Biology major, Environmental Science and Sustainability minor, and TExAS FAST Scholar Alondra Garcia participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) through the Department of Pharmacology at UT Health San Antonio.
During the intensive 10-week program, Garcia gained hands-on laboratory experience in the research lab of Lynette Daws, Ph.D., professor of Cellular and Integrative Physiology at UT Health San Antonio. Working alongside researchers studying the brain, Garcia contributed to an ongoing pharmacology project and gained deeper insight into careers in biomedical research.
Garcia’s research focused on neurotransmitters and the brain’s response to amphetamine. Her work supported research aimed at improving understanding of—and developing treatments for—amphetamine use disorders. Through the experience, she strengthened her scientific research, critical-thinking and communication skills while growing as a future STEM professional.
Opportunities such as SURF allow OLLU Biology students to apply their classroom learning, gain meaningful research experience and explore the many career pathways available in science and health-related fields.
Hear Garcia describe her summer research experience in her own words by watching her video:
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.
President Abel A. Chávez conceived bold new phrase celebrating the university’s Hispanic heritage, history and impact on San Antonio
Three words. Two languages. One unmistakably San Antonio identity.
Somos San-Anto Saints.
The phrase developed by Our Lady of the Lake University President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, Ph.D., is more than a tagline. It is a declaration of who OLLU is, where it comes from and the role generations of Saints have played in shaping San Antonio and South Texas.
For Chávez, the words came together naturally.
“My brain thinks in rhythms, almost poetically,” Chávez said. “It is who we are as an institution.”
OLLU has long been grounded in the mission of the Congregation of Divine Providence and has a history filled with groundbreaking achievements. The university was an early leader in bilingual education, established the first school of social work in South Texas and was the birthplace of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Yet Chávez believed OLLU needed a fresh way to communicate that history and identity: something distinctive, energetic and unapologetically connected to the community it calls home.
“We have so many firsts and such an incredible history, but I felt we were missing some edginess, that punch,” Chávez said. “Institutions that don’t have that strong identity can struggle in a crowded higher education landscape.”
That thinking led to Somos San Anto Saints.
“Somos,” Spanish for “we are,” reflects OLLU’s identity as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and its multicultural and multilingual community. “Saints” proudly represents the OLLU community. And “San Anto” brings a distinctly local voice to the phrase.
For Chávez, who grew up in Colorado, “San Anto” has a personal connection dating back decades.
His father restored old cars purchased at auction, and one vehicle still had a cassette tape inside with recordings from San Antonio radio. On the tape was legendary Tejano radio personality Johnny Ramirez broadcasting on the former 107.5 FM and greeting listeners with phrases such as, “¿Qué onda, San Anto?” and “¿Q-Vo, San Anto?”
The phrase stayed with Chávez as an authentic expression of San Antonio’s Tejano and Hispanic culture.
Years later, as president of a university deeply rooted in San Antonio’s West Side, the words took on new meaning.
“We are San Anto,” Chávez said. “Through our alumni, our university has helped shape this city and this region. We have impacted culture, economy and the lives of generations of families. We are San Anto, and we are Saints.”
The response has demonstrated the power of connecting institutional history with a contemporary sense of pride and belonging.
Now, Chávez hopes Somos San Anto Saints becomes part of the visual and cultural fabric of OLLU, appearing on banners, shirts, stickers, bumper stickers, athletic facilities and other merchandise. He has even imagined hearing the phrase recorded by legendary Tejano musician Little Joe.
The possibilities are part of what Chávez sees as creating excitement and a movement around the university’s identity.
“It celebrates the cool things about us and gives that identity a fresh feel,” Chávez said. “For people who have that affinity for OLLU, I want them to be excited about it.”
At its heart, however, Chávez said the message comes down to one word: pride.
Pride in OLLU’s history. Pride in its Hispanic heritage. Pride in its West Side roots. Pride in the alumni who have helped shape San Antonio and communities across the region.
And pride in being bold about what comes next.
“We’ve got to be bold,” Chávez said. “We have to claim our role in this world, and that starts in our own backyard by saying, ‘Somos San Anto Saints.’”
Get your limited-edition “Somos San Anto Saints” T-shirt and other OLLU gear at the University Bookstore, open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Take advantage of Fall Student Appreciation Days this Sept. 23-24, with 25% off clothing and gifts. Some exclusions apply.
“Somos SanAnto Saints” T-shirt worn by President Abel A. Chávez
OLLU faculty and staff who manage an official University social media account—or who are interested in launching a new channel—are invited to register for the OLLU Social Media Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
Hosted by Marketing, Communications & Engagement (MarComm&E), the workshop will help campus partners strengthen OLLU’s online presence and confidently represent the University on social media. Participants will learn about OLLU’s social media guidelines, brand awareness, content best practices, and practical do’s and don’ts for creating engaging, effective, and current posts.
The workshop is also an opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about establishing an official OLLU account, managing an existing channel or using social media in alignment with University branding and communication standards.
Please include all requested information when you register so MarComm&E can tailor the session to attendees’ roles, platforms, and areas of interest.
Scan me to register
Sign up today and join the conversation about representing OLLU online with purpose, consistency and creativity.
That every year, the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) leads the process to select the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month for federal agencies, organizations and schools. This year’s theme is, “Together, we are more. Unidos, somos más.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15 to both recognize countries and territories influenced by Spain as well as those countries who celebrate their independence from Spain in that timeframe.
To download a poster, click the download button below.
