Category: News

Court dedication honors longtime OLLU leader Roy Terracina while celebrating Najim’s investment in student success and Saints Athletics.

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) officially unveiled and dedicated the Roy Terracina Court last Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at the University Wellness and Activities Center (UWAC), honoring the enduring legacy of longtime OLLU trustee and Board Chair Roy Terracina.

The dedication was made possible through a $1 million gift from San Antonio philanthropist Harvey Najim, whose contribution supports two important OLLU initiatives: scholarships that help students overcome financial barriers to completing their education and the naming of the university’s basketball court in Terracina’s honor.

“At OLLU, we know that access to higher education can transform not only the life of a student, but also the future of a family and a community,” said OLLU President Dr. Abel A. Chávez.  “So, to Harvey, I say thank you on behalf of Our Lady of the Lake University, for believing in our students, in our mission, and in the transformative power of education.”

“And then there is the second part of this remarkable gift — one that allows us to honor a man whose leadership has left an enduring mark on this university: Roy Terracina,” Chávez continued.  “Roy’s service has always been about much more than buildings, programs, or even athletics. It was about people and creating opportunities for students to succeed and helping OLLU become stronger for the generations that follow. That is why it is so fitting that his name will now be permanently connected to this court.”

The ceremony celebrated Terracina’s years of service to OLLU and his significant role in advancing the university and Saints Athletics.

Terracina served as an OLLU trustee from 2006 to 2019 and as Board Chair from 2010 to 2019. During his tenure, his leadership helped shape the university’s strategic direction while supporting the development and growth of OLLU Athletics.

Harvey Najim, Chairman of the Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation and the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Sirius Computer Solutions, Inc., had this to say about his $1 million gift to OLLU: “When I considered making this gift to OLLU, I wanted it to do two things: create opportunity for students and honor leadership that has made a lasting difference.”

Najim’s gift provides support for OLLU’s scholarship fund, helping students meet financial needs that can create barriers to earning a college degree. Scholarship assistance can help cover expenses, including tuition, fees, books, transportation, and other educational costs that affect a student’s ability to remain enrolled and complete their education.

The court dedication brings together two important elements of Najim’s philanthropy — honoring an individual whose leadership has made a lasting impact on OLLU while investing in the students who will carry the university’s mission forward.

The unveiling of Roy Terracina Court ensures that, thanks to Najim’s generosity, Terracina’s name and contributions will remain a visible part of the OLLU Athletics experience for generations of Saints student-athletes, students, alumni and visitors to come.

At Our Lady of the Lake University, school spirit isn’t just about wearing blue and gold on game day—it’s about how we show up for one another every day, in person and online. Whether it’s cheering on the Saints at a soccer match, volunteering with neighbors after a storm, or sharing a student’s achievement on social media, each act strengthens the sense of community that makes OLLU unique.

This fall, Marketing & Communications is inviting faculty, staff, and official university social media managers to deepen that spirit through storytelling that resonates across platforms. On October 14, 2026, the OLLU Social Media Workshop returns with a focused mission: equip campus partners with the tools to confidently and consistently represent the university online.

The workshop will cover social media guidelines, OLLU brand awareness, and practical tips for creating content that is effective, current, and engaging. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to translate everyday moments of Lake pride—like a classroom breakthrough, a service project, or a campus tradition—into compelling posts that reflect OLLU’s mission and values.

Just as the recent OLLU Lotería game brought faculty and staff together in friendly competition and connection, this workshop offers another opportunity to build community—this time through shared digital storytelling. By aligning our online presence with the spirit we already show on campus, we can amplify what makes OLLU special to students, families, alumni, and the broader San Antonio community.

Save the date: October 14, 2026. More details and registration information will be shared soon.

As the new academic year begins, OLLU’s Learning Commons is taking shape in Sueltenfuss Library, bringing together resources and services designed to create a more connected and supportive student experience.

The Learning Commons provides a collaborative framework connecting the Sueltenfuss Library, Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), retention, career and professional development, peer mentoring and other campus partners. While each area maintains its distinct identity and reporting structure, the Commons creates new opportunities to work together and make learning, resources and support more accessible to students.

Join us as we officially launch the Learning Commons on September 9 and learn more about the vision, the services students can expect this fall, and how the Commons will continue to grow through input and collaboration from the OLLU community.

📅 Learning Commons Launch Day
Wednesday, September 9, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
📍 Sueltenfuss Library

Come learn more, ask questions and be part of shaping this exciting new chapter in student success at OLLU.

Our Lady of the Lake University and its surrounding West Side community are continuing to recover after a powerful storm brought winds of up to 70 mph, widespread debris, and nearly three days of power outages to the area. The storm disrupted electricity for approximately 230,000 San Antonio homes and businesses, with more than 111,000 customers experiencing sustained outages at its peak.

OLLU experienced its own challenges as the campus remained without power for nearly three days. More than 50 students were relocated to a hotel, while another 25 students were accommodated at nearby St. Mary’s University. More than 300 additional residential students returned home or found alternative accommodations until power was restored Monday afternoon. Throughout the outage, the University’s primary focus remained the safety and well-being of its students.

The storm left brush and debris scattered throughout OLLU’s 55-acre campus, but the University community quickly stepped up. Faculty, staff and others spent the weekend clearing debris, with President Dr. Abel A. Chávez and Athletics Director Tom Norris among those helping remove fallen limbs.

The OLLU community also extended its service beyond campus. On September 2, approximately 50 volunteers were sent to 20 West Side properties to help homeowners clear fallen branches and yard debris. OLLU student volunteer Viviana Connolly was among those working alongside fellow volunteers to assist residents with storm cleanup.

Faculty members also took extraordinary steps to protect valuable University resources. Environmental science faculty member Briana Salas and her sons worked to rescue sensitive chemicals, samples and other materials stored in laboratory freezers and refrigerators. Using dry ice and regular ice, they helped preserve expensive perishable materials in Metz Hall.

Despite the disruption, OLLU canceled classes Monday and resumed regular instruction Tuesday morning after power was restored. The University is now continuing its recovery efforts while documenting storm-related damage and seeking donations to the Student Emergency Fund, which provides assistance to students facing unforeseen expenses, including travel costs related to the storm.

The storm was a difficult reminder of the challenges faced by our neighbors across the West Side, but it also highlighted the strength, compassion and resilience of the OLLU community. When our community needed help, Saints showed up.

Read the full article at the San Antonio Express News link.