Category: News

Volleyball wins conference series against Jarvis

The volleyball team faced a tough Jarvis Christian University (JCU) Bulldogs on Oct. 4 taking the match to a full five sets for the win. The Oct. 5 match was significantly more subdued as the Saints won 3-0. The two wins move the Saints to 11-7 overall and 4-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). JCU drops to 10-8 overall and 3-5 in conference.

History
The Saints are 25-0 against the Bulldogs. OLLU swept the Bulldogs in all but three matches.

Match one
The Saints played an energetic JCU team, just sneaking by the Bulldogs in the first set, 25-22. The Bulldogs tallied nine kills on 22 attacks in the opening game, while the Saints had 19 kills on 39 attacks.

The second set was more of a breeze for the Saints, winning 25-12. They added 13 kills, while limiting the Bulldogs to just four with a hitting percentage of -.065.

Both teams were evenly matched in the third set, each contributing 15 kills. The Bulldogs fought throughout to secure the third-set win 25-22.

The fourth set was a similar story as the third with the Saints getting 14 kills and Jarvis tallying 11. The Bulldogs were relentless and won 25-23 forcing a tie-breaker set five.

The Saints and Bulldogs kept going back and fourth, but OLLU was able to come out ahead to win 15-12 to secure the match, 3-2.

Camila Ramirez led the offense with 20 kills on just eight errors in 50 total attacks. She also added seven digs and a block. Mia Francis tallied 18 kills on two errors in 31 total attacks, while Anais Velasquez recorded 11 kills. Tina Trevino finished with 27 digs. Lauren Reynard added four service aces.

Head Coach Scott Mattera commented, “This match was certainly a test of our mental game – there were so many opportunities to give in to the myriad of distractions that environment provided and it almost got the best of us. Some great play from our outsides came through and preserved the win. Cami with 20 kills and Francis with 18 and only 2 errors was enormous. Lauren with 45 assists while running 6-2 (2 setter offense) is a crazy high number!”

Match two
The Saints started the second match with three straight points, but the feisty Bulldogs came back to tie at 3-3. The teams tied again at five, seven, eight, nine and 10 before Mia Francis started the four-point rally. She added a kill and served to two attack errors from Jarvis. Two consecutive kills from Camila Ramirez gave the Saints the 16-14 lead. The momentum stayed with the Saints through the rest of the set and Victoria Urbanczyk scored the final point on a kill to win 25-20.

The Saints continued to dominate in the second game. Lauren Reynard’s serve scored four points to begin. OLLU Went up 12-4 after kills from Anais Velasquez. The Bulldogs finally got to double digits after a Saints error moved the game to 16-10. Carly Dossett’s serve at 23-17 allowed Mia Francis to get a kill, and Dossett closed the game with an ace to win 25-17.

The Bulldogs put up a lot of energy to begin the third set as they went up 5-0. The Saints trailed until they tied the score at nine. From that point on, the Saints held the lead to win 25-18.

Reynard tallied 29 assists, while Tina Trevino recorded 25 digs. Camila Ramirez led on offense with 14 kills for a hitting percentage of .370. Victoria Urbanczyk added 12 kills on 27 total attacks. Mia Francis secure three service aces, and Anais Velasquez added three blocks.

What’s next
The Saints return home to host Louisiana Christian University on Friday and Saturday.

Cross-Country teams compete at DBU Old Glory Gallup

The men’s cross-country team finished 13th out of 41 teams and the women’s team finished 27th out of 46 teams at the Dallas Baptist University Old Glory Gallop held Oct. 5.

Participants in the event were from a variety of NCAA D1, D2 and D3 schools, as well as a few NAIA and NJCAA schools.

Isai Moran led the men’s team with a 25:20 in the 8K for 44th place out of 402 runners. He was followed by Sabastian Moreno with a time of 25:50, followed by Joseph Gonzalez at 26:02, Jayden Turrubiates at 26:18, JoseCarlos Hernandez at 26:23, Kruz Malesich at 26:46 and Tony Favella at 26:53.

Mia Curiel led the women’s team with a 19:34 in the 5K for 120th place out of 420 runners. She was followed by Liliana Hernandez with a time of 20:15, Victoria Bartlett at 20:18, Leilani Leza at 20:58 and Valeria Pena at 21:38.

What’s next
The Saints will host the OLLU Cross-Country Invite at Windcrest Golf Course in Windcrest, Texas, on Saturday.

Platicás Series continues Wednesday

A Platicás Series surrounding the first-generation college student experience will be hosted by the Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program (PPOHA), McNair Scholars Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program, First-Generation Student Organization and Tri-Alpha Honor Society. All students on the San Antonio campus are invited to join for food and conversation. The next session will take place Wednesday in the Library Community Room. Session topics include, Nuestros testimonios: Reclaiming our stories through Platicás, Quien soy? Self-discovery through platicás, Perpetual foreign hood: Do I belong here?, and Asserting your worth through self-love. Food will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5 p.m. with the Platicá starting promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Questions? Please email lvgomez@ollusa.edu or jmquintero@ollusa.edu.

OLLU Vice President named Fellow of HACU’s Leadership Academy

Dr. Jessica González Uhlig, OLLU’s Vice President for Institutional Enrollment, has been named a 2024-2025 Fellow of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The academy is designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education. Dr. González Uhlig is one of 45 fellows who will make up the sixth cohort of the academy. She also is a recipient of a Capital One Fellowship.

“As a founding member of HACU, OLLU is proud to be represented in the next cohort of the Leadership Academy,” said OLLU President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD. “I thank Dr. González Uhlig for taking on this responsibility and challenge and for representing our university. I am confident she will be an asset to the cohort and positively contribute to the Leadership Academy, using this opportunity to strengthen the pathways to access and completion for thousands of students across the country.”

During the Leadership Academy, fellows participate in an array of leadership development activities preparing them for leadership roles in the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs.

The one-year fellowship program includes webinars and three seminars, with the first seminar held in October 2024 in conjunction with HACU’s 38th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. The second seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., in April 2025, at HACU’s National Capitol Forum. The third seminar will take place at a still to be determined international location.

“The HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo has a proven record of advancing diverse leaders within a wide range of higher education institutions, demonstrating the value of the program in expanding representation at the highest levels of college and university administrations” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “We are proud of our previous cohorts in how they have moved into the upper ranks of academia with speed and fully expect this current cohort to match if not exceed our alums in successfully breaking into leadership roles across the nation.”

The Leadership Academy faculty consists of current and former presidents, chancellors and senior administrators and brings over 100 years of combined experience in serving various sectors of higher education, including private/public universities, community colleges and faith-based institutions. Mentorship with a university president or senior-level administrator is a key component, as well as the development of a special project designed to have an impact at the Fellow’s current institution.

Library to hold ‘Get Out The Vote’ event

The Sueltenfuss Library will host the League of Women Voters today from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for a “Get Out The Vote” event. It will take in the Library Lobby.

Participants will have the opportunity to register to vote, verify their registration, cast a test ballot in a voting machine. There will be free snacks, voting buttons and books on voting rights.

Vice Presidential Debate watch party set for Tuesday

Students, faculty and staff are invited to a Vice Presidential Debate watch party on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Library Community Room. There will be a brief discussion following the debate.

Attendees will have the opportunity to register to vote. This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism, Law and Politics Society, Student Government Association, the Alliance, and MOVE Texas.

OLLU to celebrate launch of Dr. Quintanilla’s new book

The university community is invited to celebrate the launch of Dr. Octavio Quintanilla’s new book, titled “The Book of Wounded Sparrows.”

Thursday
6:30 p.m.
Main Building, Room 311

A professor in OLLU’s English Program, Dr. Quintanilla is the former Poet Laureate of San Antonio and an internationally renowned poet and writer. His book is on the prestigious longlist of the National Book Awards. During the book launch celebration, Dr. Quintanilla will read from his works and sign copies of his book.

USDA Urban Conservationist to speak on campus Friday

Isaac Norris, an Urban Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will present a guest lecture and discussion on campus Friday from 1:45-3 p.m. in Metz Hall, Room 407. Students, faculty and staff are invited.

The lecture is part of the Careers in Environmental Science Fall Seminar presented by the TExAS FAST Program and the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program.

The NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for urban agriculture pioneers and growers. The center assists with information on soil health, irrigation and water conservation, and week and pest management.

Saturday is Texas Teachers Day

In recognition of Texas Teachers Day on Saturday, OLLU’s Education Program will highlight education majors on the university’s social media channels. OLLU is proud of the hundreds of teachers who have graduated from the university over the last 110+ years. Teacher preparation is the first academic program OLLU offered when it started providing college-level courses. OLLU graduates are working in schools across the state and the nation and have, collectively, touched the lives of millions of students.

Fitness Field Day to be held on Oct. 10

Fitness Field Day to be held on Oct. 10

The Kinesiology Program will hold its first Fitness Field Day on Oct. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. next to the soccer field.

Activities will include relay races, obstacle courses, and team challenges.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the fun. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking to have some fun, there’s something for everyone! There also will be vendors showcasing fitness gear, healthy snacks, and wellness information.

How to Participate:
– Bring your friends and enjoy a lively evening!
– Dress comfortably and come ready to move!