Students planning to graduate in the spring or summer 2025 semester have until Jan. 3, 2025, to submit the graduation application. Apply online through the “Graduation” tile in Saints Connect.
If you have any questions, email graduate@ollusa.edu.
The second NAIA Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll of the season has seen significant movement. Notably, OLLU, which received 20 votes in the first poll on Nov. 13, has made a remarkable leap to be ranked No. 20.
This marks a poignant milestone for the Saints, as it’s the first time since 2018 that they have been ranked in the poll. In that memorable season, the men’s team achieved rankings of 23rd, 18th, 16th, 19th and 21st.
The only other Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) team included in this second poll of the 2024-2025 season is LSU-Alexandria, which is ranked third – an improvement from sixth. LSU-Shreveport dropped out of the top 25.
OLLU continues to impress this season, marking victories in nine consecutive games, which is the best in team history. The Saints are outscoring their opponents 802-727 with victories over Wayland Baptist University, Southern University at New Orleans, Ave Maria University, Southeastern University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Louisiana Christian University, Texas A&M University – Texarkana, Jarvis Christian University and Texas College.
The Saints and the University of the Southwest are the only two teams undefeated in the Red River Athletic Conference. The Mustangs are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference.
Poll Methodology:
The men’s basketball squad surged to a 82-73 win over Texas College (TC) on Nov. 26. The Saints jumped to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Steers are now 1-6 overall and 0-3 in conference.
Head Coach Marcus Thompson commented, “I’m proud of how the team played today. Texas College protects their court well and always plays tough. This was a tough conference road game for sure. The team did well battling adversity for a lot of things we can’t control. We had key players foul out early and the team did a good job of coming together and finding a way to win. This was a great team effort and I’m happy to get the win!”
History
The Saints were 18-10 against Texas College prior to the game.
Offensive/defensive standouts
Lonzo Rand led the Saints with 24 points, followed by Trey Law with 13. Law and Rob Gil had five rebounds apiece.
Texas College’s Ty’Quan Neal led the team with 19 points. Neal also led the squad with eight rebounds.
Inside the box
OLLU combined for 25-of-43 from the field for a percentage of 58.1. They shot 6-of-15 from three-point range for 40 percent and hit 26-of-33 free throws for 78.8 percent. Texas College shot 25-of-60 for a percentage of 41.7, 3-of-18 three-pointers for 16.7 percent and 20-of-29 free throws for 69 percent. OLLU added 19 rebounds to Texas College’s 25.
The women’s basketball team improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) after downing Texas College (TC) 69-62 on Nov. 26. The Steers drop to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the RRAC.
Head Coach Tanya Ray said, “This is always a hard place to play and we did what was necessary to get the win today. We were able to withstand their runs and were able to answer each time.”
History
The Saints were 25-2 against the Steers prior to the game.
Offensive/defensive standouts
Plata led the Saints with 25 points, followed by Carlea Owens and Samantha Fields with 14 apiece. Owens also led in rebounds with 13 for a double-double. Isabella Jaramillo assisted on seven plays.
Tyler Pyburn had 19 points for the Steers. She grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to earn a double-double. Cree McClemore led the Steers with four assists.
Inside the box
OLLU combined for 24-of-54 shooting for 44.4 percent, 11-of-28 from three-point range for 39.3 percent and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line for 76.9 percent. Texas College shot 26-of-87 for 29.9 percent, 3-of-20 three-pointers for 15 percent, and 7-of-11 from the free-throw line for 63.6 percent.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open. You can complete the online application to apply for financial aid to assist with your tuition at OLLU.
The FAFSA® is available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA® is for attendance from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026. Financial aid for the upcoming spring semester which begins in January 2025 is covered under the 2024-2025 FAFSA®.
Students planning to attend school in summer or fall 2025 are encouraged to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA® early to ensure you are ready for the next academic year.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to the OLLU Financial Aid Office at finaid@ollusa.edu or visit the office at Walter Center.
OLLU sophomore Heather Hinds won the Stegall/Frederick Award for Outstanding Diplomacy at the Summit of the Americas competition held Nov. 8-10 in Waco. The diplomacy award is one of the top awards presented at the competition and is granted to the top student who uses collaboration, critical thinking, and writing skills to form consensus, write amendments, and move forward during moments fraught with difficult obstacles.
The competition, organized by the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS), is an academically centered program with over 25 years of history bringing the nation’s best and brightest college students together to debate the issues facing the Western Hemisphere (North, Central, and South America with the Caribbean).
The OLLU delegation represented Argentina and developed position papers and resolutions on behalf of the country based on a wide array of economic, political, diplomatic, and foreign policy positions. Students collaborated as a group and also individually developed original resolutions based on the perspective of Argentina and debated them with student peers from various universities from Texas and México.
OLLU was represented by Political Science majors Myra Hall, Head Delegate representing Argentine President Javier Milei; Monica Rodriguez, serving as a delegate for Argentina on the Security and Integral Development Committee to debate Constructing Sustainable Nations through Natural Resource Management; delegate Arely Palomo representing Argentina in the Multidimensional Security Committee, debating her resolution on Reinforcing Territorial Sovereignty to Alleviate Migration Challenges; and delegates Heather Hinds and Valentina Baffoni, representing Argentina on the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs to Combat Corruption to Ensure Free and Fair Elections.
The judges commended the work of OLLU students, giving special acknowledgement to them for their performance, as well as their role in hosting the Parliamentary Procedure Workshop in September.
All are invited for the Community Christmas Tree Decorating on Dec. 3, from at 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mall Area. Write a holiday message on an ornament and hang it on the tree. Hot chocolate and desserts will be served.
A special tree lighting and blessing will begin at 1 p.m. with a performance by Mariachi De Los Santos!
OLLU will celebrate the 89th annual Candlelight on Dec. 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel.
Dating back to 1935, Candlelight is a long-standing tradition to take a moment to pause and reflect on themes of the Advent season – a time of waiting and joyful anticipation. The OLLU community gathers at this event to welcome the season of Advent and prepare to close the semester.
The prayer service will include an appearance of Mary and Joseph as they remind us to prepare for the arrival of the Lord. Upon completion of the service, the community sings Silent Night and processes with lit candles to Moye Rotunda. Gathering on all four floors of the rotunda, we will join in singing Christmas carols which will be led by our Candlelight Choir, an amazing group of OLLU faculty, staff, students, and alumni volunteers. A reception will follow on the first floor of Moye Rotunda with cookies and hot chocolate, and tamales graciously donated by OLLU alumna, Valerie Gonzalez Handly of Delicious Tamales.
If you would like to join the Candlelight Choir, please register by accessing the registration form online. Rehearsal will take place on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. and again on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel.
There is still time for students to learn more about the Study Abroad Program to Costa Rica scheduled in spring 2025. The study tour, sponsored by OLLU’s Business Programs Department, will take place March 27-April 6, 2025, and will explore Costa Rica’s culture and agriculture. It includes a river safari, visits to sustainable farms, beach visits and a tour of the country’s coffee and chocolate manufacturing.
The cost is $4039.70 (double occupancy) and includes airfare, transportation, hotel, meals, expert guides, cultural excursions and travel insurance. There are limited spots on the tour. If interested, email Professor John Phelps at jcphelps@ollusa.edu.
Elizabeth Longoria, OLLU’s Director of Campus and Community Engagement, gave a presentation at the Texas Festivals and Events Association annual conference which was held in San Antonio last week. Longoria’s session was titled, “Sprinting to Success – Adding Runs and 5Ks to Events.” The session covered the logistics of organizing runs for fundraising and community engagement while maximizing participation.
