Ordering food on campus just got even easier. Grubhub is now officially available at Our Lady of the Lake University, giving students, faculty, and staff a convenient new way to order food from campus dining locations—and select nearby restaurants—directly through the Grubhub app.
With Grubhub now live, users can place orders ahead of time, skip the wait, and enjoy added flexibility during busy class days and work schedules. The launch is part of OLLU’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the campus experience through greater convenience and accessibility.
To get started, download the Grubhub app, sign in with your OLLU email, and explore available dining options today.
As the semester comes to a close, Lake Weekly will pause for the holidays.
This will be our final newsletter of the year and Lake Weekly will resume on Monday, January 12. Wishing our OLLU community a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.
The Computer Information Systems and Security department is celebrating a major academic milestone as 13 students successfully passed the EC-Council Network Defense (NDE) certification exam, achieving an impressive 86.7% pass rate. This industry-recognized credential—valid for three years—demonstrates each student’s mastery of essential defensive cybersecurity skills.
The EC-Council NDE focuses on practical, real-world abilities in areas such as network hardening, secure infrastructure design, incident response, vulnerability mitigation, and foundational threat analysis. Earning this certification signals that students are well-prepared to work in security operations environments, support enterprise defense strategies, and contribute to organizational cyber resilience from day one.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, discipline, and growing talent of our students,” said Assistant Professor Kelly “RC” Roberts-Cooper. “Certifications like the EC-Council Network Defense credential give our graduates a competitive edge in the cybersecurity workforce.”
With cybersecurity professionals in high demand nationwide, certifications such as this play a vital role in helping students transition into meaningful careers. The newly certified student now carry valuable proof of their abilities—an asset they will take with them into internships, job interviews, and future advanced studies.
The CISS and Security department congratulates all 13 students on their outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing their continued success in the cybersecurity field.
The Computer Information Systems and Security (CISS) Cyber Saints Student Organization recently put their skills to the test in a high-energy Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition—an experience designed to replicate the intensity, urgency, and problem-solving demands of real-world cyber defense and ethical hacking.
CTF competitions are a cornerstone of cybersecurity education, blending learning with competition. In these fast-paced, game-based challenges, teams race against the clock to uncover hidden strings of text known as “flags.” Each captured flag signifies the successful completion of a security task, earning points and propelling teams up the leaderboard.
Working collaboratively under pressure, the Cyber Saints tackled complex challenges, shared insights, and executed strategic solutions—demonstrating the teamwork and adaptability essential to today’s cyber professionals.
CISS faculty advisor and Assistant Professor Kelly “RC” Roberts-Cooper applauded the students’ commitment and collaboration, emphasizing the value of hands-on learning experiences. “Competitions like CTFs allow students to practice real-world offensive and defensive cyber skills in a controlled, ethical environment,” Roberts-Cooper said.
For the Cyber Saints, the competition was more than a technical challenge—it was an opportunity to build camaraderie, sharpen their expertise, and spark excitement for future events. Their participation reflects the organization’s dedication to experiential learning and to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
As digital threats continue to evolve, experiences like these ensure students are doing more than studying cybersecurity—they are actively preparing to defend the digital world with confidence and skill.
From left to right: President, Alexandria Heaton; Student government Rep. Cesar Reyes; Vice President Jennifer Vaquera-Luna; Treasurer Luis Vela; Jaylen Williams
The confirmation letter of the 2026 NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Championship arrived as a professional acknowledgment of the Our Lady of the Lake University spirit program’s continued excellence. Sent by Lizzy Howard, it recognized the teams successes and offered ongoing support through the upcoming preparation period.
For OLLU, this confirmation aligns with the rich history of its spirit program which is a tradition built on discipline, competitive achievement, and a commitment to representing the university with pride. Under the leadership of Head Coach Crystal Brock and supported by Assistant Coaches Joe Gonzalez, Sean Flores, and Nicholas Aguon, along with Graduate Assistants Madicela Perez and Ember Sandoval, the program has maintained a standard of professionalism and growth year after year.
Among the athletes contributing to this legacy is fourth-year dancer Yasmine Escobar, whose experience and leadership have become valuable assets to the team. Her dedication reflects the broader culture of commitment that has long defined OLLU’s cheer, dance, and spirit teams.
With their place at the 2026 national championship officially secured, the program now moves forward with focused preparation, intent on carrying its history of excellence and strong leadership into the national championships in Daytona Beach.
The Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference are moving forward with a collaborative effort designed to expand leadership opportunities and strengthen support for Senior Woman Leaders across both leagues. This joint initiative signifies a unified commitment to elevating women in collegiate athletics administration and creating a more connected, empowered network of leaders within member institutions.
Central to this collaboration is the formation of a cross-conference leadership team composed of three highly accomplished administrators. Their combined expertise, dedication, and vision will guide the development of a shared structure that enhances communication, professional growth, and visibility for women serving in SWL roles. Among them, Haley Holzem stands out as a driving force behind the effort. As Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Title IX Deputy, and Senior Woman Leader at Our Lady of the Lake University, she has spent seven years contributing to the advancement of her institution and the Red River Athletic Conference. As the current SWL Chair for the RRAC, her leadership is instrumental in shaping the direction and cohesion of this new initiative.
Working alongside her is Shannon Glendening, Athletics Office Administrator and Senior Woman Leader at Central Christian College of Kansas. Beginning her role in August 2025 and serving as the SWL Chair for the Sooner Athletic Conference, she brings a collaborative mindset and a strong interest in building meaningful cross-conference relationships. Her perspective is essential as the two conferences work to develop shared opportunities and strengthen community among SWLs.
Also serving on the leadership team is Fachaitte Kinslow, Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Senior Woman Leader at Texas A&M University–Texarkana. Having joined TAMUT in May after four and a half years at Langston University as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and SWL, she offers deep experience in cultivating leadership pathways for women in sports administration. Her role as the inaugural Chair of the SWLA Leadership Association further connects this collaborative effort to broader national conversations about elevating women in athletics leadership.
Together, Haley Holzem, Shannon Glendening, and Fachaitte Kinslow will guide the joint initiative between the Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference with a unified vision centered on opportunity, visibility, and support. Their combined leadership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Senior Woman Leader designation and ensuring that women across both conferences have access to the resources and community they need to thrive.
This collaboration marks an important step forward for both conferences and for the SWLs who serve within them. As the initiative develops, it promises to enhance communication, deepen connections, and expand leadership development opportunities for women throughout the two leagues. John Martin encourages all Senior Woman Leaders to engage with this effort and to reach out with questions as the collaboration continues to grow.
OLLU Dining will operate on adjusted hours in December and early January, with select locations closing early and a full campus dining closure over the holiday break.
Friday, Dec. 12
C-Store: closes at 6 p.m.
Annie B’s: closes at 6 p.m.
Starbucks: closed
Crave: closes at 6 p.m.
Weekend, Dec. 13–14
Crave: closed
C-Store: 12–6 p.m.
Dec. 15–19 (Staff Week)
Annie B’s: 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
C-Store: 2–6 p.m.
Dec. 20–Jan. 4
All locations closed
Jan. 5–8
Annie B’s: 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
C-Store: 2–6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9
All locations resume normal schedule
The Sub Shop will be open Dec. 30 and Jan. 8 for basketball concessions.
Our Lady of the Lake University junior guard Shayla Dede has earned recognition as the Red River Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week after a standout stretch of performances that showcased her consistency, efficiency, and growing leadership on the court. During the week of Dec. 1–7, Dede delivered two strong outings that not only highlighted her scoring ability but also her versatility as an all-around contributor.
In OLLU’s 73–61 victory over Southwest, Dede played one of her most complete games of the season. She scored 16 points while dominating the boards with an impressive 8 rebounds, a rare feat for a guard. Her efficiency was evident as she converted 5-of-12 field goals, including a three-pointer, and remained perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all five attempts. She also added four assists in 34 minutes, helping guide the Saints to their highest-scoring win of the season.
Dede elevated her performance even further in the matchup against North Texas-Dallas, recording a career-high 24 points despite the Saints falling 73–63. She delivered an exceptional shooting night, hitting 5-of-6 from the field and going a flawless 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Her aggressive play earned her 13 trips to the free-throw line, where she converted 11 attempts. Along with her scoring burst, she contributed four rebounds, an assist, and four steals, demonstrating her competitiveness on both ends of the floor.
Across the season, Dede has emerged as OLLU’s leading scorer with 116 total points, averaging 14.5 per game. She also leads the Saints in free throws made, assists, and steals, underscoring her importance to the team’s overall structure and pace. While the Saints stand at 2–6 overall and 1–2 in conference play, Dede’s performances continue to provide a strong foundation as the team works to build momentum. Her latest recognition as Offensive Player of the Week reflects not only her individual excellence but also her growing impact as a catalyst for the Saints development moving forward.
Last week, Institutional Advancement sent our end-of-year appeal letter to donors, highlighting the importance of supporting the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship Fund.
For more than a century, the Sisters have upheld the belief that those with the greatest need deserve the greatest access to education. That legacy continues through our OLLU students—many of whom are first-generation scholars balancing work, family responsibilities, and full academic schedules as they strive toward their degrees.
This year, scholarship support is more vital than ever. Federal reductions in discretionary grant funding are affecting universities across the country, including Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving Institutions like OLLU. These changes add new financial pressures for students who are already working hard to stay on track.
Your gift to the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship Fund provides immediate and meaningful assistance. Every contribution helps students remain enrolled, navigate unexpected challenges, and continue preparing for careers that strengthen our communities—whether as teachers, nurses, social workers, business leaders, or ministers.
Thank you for supporting our mission and bringing hope to our students. Donate at the link below or scan the QR code.
