Lace Up for the 2025 OLLU Confetti Run 5K on April, 26!

Join the excitement at Our Lady of the Lake University’s annual Confetti Run 5K — a family-friendly Fiesta celebration that brings together fun, fitness, and plenty of colorful confetti!

This lively event will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, right here on OLLU’s main campus. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or simply looking to enjoy a festive morning outdoors, there’s something for everyone.

  • Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under): 8:00 a.m. — Free, but registration is required!
  • Confetti Run 5K: 7:30 a.m. — Walk, jog, or run through a fun and festive course.
  • $35 – through April 12
  • $40 – April 13–20
  • $45 – Race Day & Virtual Option
  • Kids Run: Free (must be registered)
  • Drive-thru only in front of Thiry Auditorium
  • Friday, April 25 @ 4-7 PM
  • A map will be emailed to all participants

OLLU to Co-Host TACSM Spring Lecture Featuring Dr. Hiro Tanaka

Our Lady of the Lake University is honored to co-host the Texas American College of Sports Medicine (TACSM) Spring Lecture Tour in partnership with the University of the Incarnate Word.

This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Hiro Tanaka, Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend his talk titled “Swimming and Aquatic Exercise: Underappreciated Modes of Exercise for Overall Health” on Thursday April 10, 2025 in the MARC. Questions can be directed to Dr. Emily Sauers at esauers@ollusa.edu.

OLLU Education Students Bring Civil Rights History to Life in Alonso S. Perales Exhibit

Check out OLLU Education student’s contributions to the Alonso S. Perales exhibit before it closes on April 18th! Visit the entire exhibit on the 3rd floor of the Sueltenfuss Library!

  • “A Geographic Timeline: Alonso Perales’ Life-Long Legacy of Justice & Equality,” a bilingual, multimedia presentation created by Dr. Kim Kennedy’s students in her Reading Comprehension course (EDUC), explores key moments in Perales’ lifelong fight for justice and equality.
  • “Explorando El Legado de Alonso Perales: Hands-On Learning Activities.” Developed by grad and undergrad students, this interactive experience enhances the Perales exhibit with engaging, hands-on activities for school-aged children.

Student quotes on the project experience

“The opportunity to spotlight Alonso S. Perales, one of America’s pioneering Mexican American diplomats for current generations, and his contributions to his enduring legacy of advocacy, diplomacy, and Civil Rights gives students the foundation for how history is made of exceptional individuals who had to overcome challenges to succeed.”
– Richard Martinez, OLLU Graduate – History 2024

“Researching Alonso S. Perales provides us with a special opportunity to be a part of restoring and uncovering his life’s work. Perales had such an amazing impact in the lives of so many Mexican Americans. As future Masters of Education and Literacy, it is our responsibility to help inform our community about his humble beginnings and the way he used his knowledge to speak for others.
– Sasha Smith, OLLU Graduate Student & teacher

Curriculum Designers: graduate and undergraduate students enrolled with Dr. Kimberley Kennedy in the following courses: English as a Second Language Methodology (EDUC 6364), Approaches to English Language Learners (ELLs) (EDUC 4364), and Reading and Writing Development at the Secondary Level (EDUC 6375).

  • Graduate Students: Abigail Avila, David De Leon, Stephanie Frausto, Rosa Hernandez, Richard Martinez, Kristal Peña, Madicela Perez, Jacqueline Rivera, Natalie Rodriguez, Kristee Salas, and Sasha Smith.
  • Undergraduate Students: Tanya Barrientos, Marissa Escamilla, Camila Hernandez, Angelina Ochoa, Viviana Reyes, Lyndee Rheinberger, Bianca Rodriguez, & Lizette Rodriguez
  • Undergraduate Students in Reading Comprehension (EDUC 3344): Stacey Adams, Tanya Barrientos, Steven Castaneda, Marissa Escamilla, Camila Hernandez, Sebastian Moreno, Angelina Ochoa, Viviana Reyes, Bianca Rodriguez and Andrew Vanover.

“Alonso S. Perales: Civil Rights Trailblazer” by Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) on view through April 18, 2025, Sueltenfuss Library, 3rd Floor Loft. For more information, contact library@ollusa.edu.

Dr. Sauers Awarded National Grant to Expand Health and Fitness Initiatives at OLLU

Dr. Sauers was recently awarded the Physical Education and Screening Grant under the Franklin Microgrant Program supported by the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation. Only one grant is awarded yearly. Grant monies will be used to expand offerings during Exercise is Medicine Month (October) at OLLU.

The Exercise is Medicine leadership team will work over the summer to organize and launch the S.A.I.N.T.S Challenge program in fall 2025. The S.A.I.N.T.S Challenge will include health and fitness screenings, team-based exercise programs, and prizes. Members of the leadership team include Dr. Sauers, Alyssa Garcia. Karen D’Armata, Lenor Berma, Sara Garza, and Kaitlyn Olivas.

Staff Assembly is seeking nominations for the annual Staff and Faculty Awards!

The award descriptions and full eligibility criteria are available on the submission form links below. Please refer to each one for the specific criteria. All OLLU community members (staff, faculty, students, trustees, and alumni) are welcome to submit nominations.

Faculty & Staff Awards

Sister Jane Ann Slater Leadership Award (Faculty and Staff) – Our Lady of the Lake University encourages the recognition of performance excellence and high achievement. Each year, a member of the OLLU staff and a member of the OLLU faculty are selected by a committee to receive the Sister Jane Ann Slater Leadership Award. The award recognizes individuals who have had a positive impact on the university by building unity and community through their generosity of spirit and heart, exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, respect, and optimism. 

Eligibility: 

  • All full-time and half-time staff and faculty members are eligible for this award. 
  • Previous award winners are not eligible for nomination.  
  • Nominees must be in good standing with the university. 

Staff Awards

One staff member will be selected for each of the awards listed below:

Rosemary Saenz Award for Customer Service – This award recognizes a person that has understood that the work of the University needs willing hands and is the type of person that you think of when you need help, even when it is outside of their department or area of expertise. They provide excellent customer service to all constituencies. 

Robert Davis Award for Community Building – This award recognizes the importance of teamwork for OLLU, goals of customer satisfaction, and employee harmony. The award is given to a staff member who participates in community building across divisions and departments. This person should exemplify the spirit of thanksgiving for the contributions that every OLLU job makes toward the whole well-being of the University. Robert “Bubba” Davis led several efforts in support for staff morale initiative, which helped employees cross the threshold from being just an eight-to-five employee to really being part of the OLLU family. Through attitude and action, he thought that having fun and social support are important for a happy employee environment.  

Eligibility: 

  • OLLU staff employees must have completed one year of full-time or half-time employment, through March 1, to be eligible for consideration. 
  • Only staff who are in good standing with the University will be eligible for consideration. The selection committee chair will verify that the employee is in good standing with the multiple departments in which staff have employees or business transactions. 
  • Additionally, the employee should not have received a written warning initiated through the Human Resources Office during the recognition year. 
  • Recipients of the Rose Mary Saenz Award or Robert Davis Award within the last three years are ineligible to receive any of the Rose Mary Saenz or Robert Davis Awards this year. 

Thank you for taking the time to recognize the outstanding contributions of our wonderful staff and faculty members! If you have any questions, please contact your Staff Assembly representative or email sac@ollusa.edu

Dr. Jacob Friesenhahn Publishes New Poetry Collection

The University is pleased to announce the publication of The Prayer of the Mantis, a new poetry collection by Dr. Jacob Friesenhahn, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies.

Published by Kelsay Books, the collection features 116 original poems exploring themes such as spirituality, nature, memory, and the human experience. Dr. Friesenhahn’s poems are accessible, imaginative, and surprising. They invite reflection on the mysterious within the ordinary.

The Prayer of the Mantis is now available through Amazon.

Fall 2025 Graduation Application Now Open

The Fall 2025 Graduation Application is available in the “Graduation” tile on Saints Connect. If you plan to graduate at the end of the Fall 2025 semester, please submit the graduation application before the August 1st deadline.

If you have any questions about your degree requirements, please reach out to your advisor for assistance. If you have any questions regarding the application, please reach out to graduate@ollusa.edu.

Please note, once the graduation application is submitted in Saints Connect, the $100 graduation fee will be added to your balance for the term you applied for.

Thank you,
OLLU Registrar’s Office

The Voyager Scholarship for Public Service Info Session – March 24

OLLU juniors and seniors interested in public service careers are encouraged to apply for the prestigious Voyager Scholarship. This is a two-year leadership development and scholarship program supported by the Obama Foundation and Brian Chesky, Airbnb CEO and co-founder.

This program offers an incredible combination of:

  • Substantial financial support for college expenses.
  • A Summer Voyage—a fully-funded travel-based work experience aligned with your passion.
  • Access to a lifelong network of mentors and changemakers in public service.

Virtual Info Session
An opportunity to learn how the Voyager Scholarship can support your academic journey and launch your future in service.

  • Monday, March 24
  • 1:00–2:00 PM CT
  • Online (Zoom)
  • Open to rising juniors and seniors nationwide
  • Hosted by the Obama Foundation