Category: News

OLLU Students Give Back During Alternative Spring Break

Alternative Spring Break is back at OLLU! Under the leadership of Jesse Harasta, CYCL Director, a group of OLLU students spent their spring break serving alongside Texas Parks and Wildlife rangers at Enchanted Rock State Park.

From March 6–10, students worked with Jesse and TExAS Grant Activities Manager Austin Bergstrom on a variety of conservation projects. Their efforts included building new trails, removing a vineyard from newly acquired park land, and repainting trail markers to improve visitor navigation.

Beyond service, students also had the opportunity to connect with nature and each other—learning how to set up tents, stargazing from the top of Enchanted Rock, hiking scenic trails, and visiting Fredericksburg.

Participating students included Karis Alcoser, Tracy Cabrera, Adriana Figueroa Rodriguez, Bethany Garr, Zulma Juarez, Monica Sanchez, and Keyli Smith. Adrian Alvarez and Angel Santacruz also contributed during the vineyard removal project.

This trip marks a meaningful return of an OLLU tradition—students dedicating their spring break to service, community, and environmental stewardship.

OLLU Biology Students Harvest First Hydroponic Crop

Students in Dr. Chloe Lash’s Vascular Plants Lab recently celebrated an exciting milestone—the first harvest from OLLU’s new hydroponic towers.

After collecting, weighing, and washing their crop of fresh lettuce, students, faculty, and staff marked the occasion by making salads together before donating the remaining harvest to the Salud Center.

This hands-on experience highlights the impact of experiential learning in the classroom, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with plant science from growth to harvest.

A special thank you to Dr. Lash and the OLLU Biology Department for bringing innovative, hands-on learning opportunities to students. We look forward to seeing what they grow next!

Stay tuned for upcoming events on Earth Day, April 22, 2026.

Launch Your Future at the Spring 2026 Career Fair!

Meet employers, explore internship and job opportunities, and start building your career path at the Spring 2026 Career Fair. Connect with organizations looking for talented students, expand your network, and learn about opportunities in a variety of fields.

📅 Wednesday, March 18, 2026
⏰ 11:45 AM – 1:45 PM
📍 Mall Area

Stop by between classes, bring your resume, and enjoy FREE pizza while supplies last!

Hosted by the Office of Career Services. For more information: career@ollusa.edu | (210) 431-3971.

Spring 2026 Career FairDownload

Grad Fest 2026: Your One-Stop Graduation Celebration


Did you graduate from OLLU in the summer or Fall of 2025? Are you looking forward to graduating this Spring or Summer 2026? Join us at Grad Fest on March 19 between 12 and 2 pm or March 23 between 4 and 6 pm in the Mall and Bookstore to get your graduation products and questions answered. Visit with representatives from the Bookstore, Jostens, Registrar’s Office, Student Affairs, Career Services, Financial Aid, and Alumni Association. See flyer for more information.

Stop by, get your questions answered, and take the next step toward celebrating your OLLU achievement. This is your moment—let’s make it official.

Grad_Fest_2026_FlyerDownload

OLLU Women’s Tennis Battles Back for Narrow Victory Over Dillard

The Our Lady of the Lake University women’s tennis team faced a competitive set of matchups in recent play, navigating challenging opponents in Louisiana Christian University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Dillard University. Across these contests, the Saints demonstrated the ability to secure critical singles and doubles victories, highlighted by several standout performances.

The season stretch began against Louisiana Christian University, where the Saints fell 4-1. In doubles action, OLLU found success on the third court, with Laure and Peters defeating Uchiyama and Ferrer Martinez 6-3, while the top two doubles matches went in favor of the Lady Wildcats. Singles play showcased competitive efforts from the Saints lineup. Uchiyama earned a key 7-5, 6-4 victory over Chambon at No. 6 singles, and Rodrigues contributed with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Pisar at No. 2. Despite these individual successes, Louisiana Christian captured the overall team victory, leaving OLLU with valuable experience and lessons from the match.

The Saints faced Xavier University of Louisiana, where they were narrowly defeated 4-0. The Xavier doubles teams secured the early point, including decisive wins over Pisar and Chambon and also Laure and Peters. In singles, OLLU’s Guerrero and Peters faced tough losses, while other matches were unfinished once the team result was determined. 

In the most recent contest, OLLU earned a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Dillard University. The Saints captured the doubles point on the top court, with Pisar and Chambon defeating Chen and Peres 5-4, setting the tone for a tightly contested match. Singles victories from Guerrero (6-3, 6-4), Peters (6-4, 7-6), and Laure (6-3, 6-1) proved decisive, allowing OLLU to overcome deficits on other courts and secure the overall team win.

While early losses against Louisiana Christian and Xavier presented challenges, the team’s competitive spirit and ability to rebound against Dillard signal growth and promise as the season progresses. The Saints will be back in action against Texas A&M-Texarkana on Saturday.

Women’s Tennis Moves Up In Latest NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll

Louisiana Christian made the most significant upward movement in the third installment of the 2026 NAIA Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, climbing to No. 15 from No. 18 in a poll that saw little movement since the last edition, in February. No. 1 through No. 7 stayed the same, as Keiser (Fla.) claimed all 12 first-place votes to remain atop the poll. 

One team moved into the poll, Texas A&M-Texarkana, at No. 25, and there’s one tie, between Georgia Gwinnett and Our Lady of the Lake (Texas), at No. 16. The next poll is scheduled for March 25.

View The Full Top 25 Poll

Uber’s Arrival Linked to 10% Boost in Texas Alcohol Sales and 5% Drop in San Antonio Drunk Driving Arrests, Study Finds

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing finds that the introduction of Uber in Texas markets increased on-premise alcohol sales across the state by 10.1% while reducing daily drunk-driving arrests in Bexar County by about 5%.

The research, conducted by Samantha Galvan, Yongseok Kim, and Richard T. Gretz, suggests that ridesharing services can simultaneously support economic activity in the hospitality sector and improve public safety outcomes. Using statewide alcohol sales data and arrest records from San Antonio, the study highlights how expanded transportation options may reduce impaired driving while enabling safer participation in nightlife and dining economies.

Complete article here

Saints Claim Eighth Straight Win

Our Lady of the Lake produced a strong all-around performance Wednesday, defeating Huston–Tillotson 16–2 behind a dominant outing from starting pitcher Josh Ruiz and a balanced offensive effort that produced 14 hits.

Ruiz earned the win after pitching a complete seven innings. He allowed just three hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, while striking out eight and walking one. The right-hander threw 77 pitches, 61 for strikes, and kept Huston–Tillotson from generating consistent offensive pressure throughout the game.

At the plate, the Saints capitalized on scoring opportunities early and often. Benjamin Hovda reached base three times, scored three runs, drove in two, and added two stolen bases. Jack Kalisky finished with two hits and three runs scored, including a double that helped fuel the early offense.

Diego Zuniga led the Saints with a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with five runs batted in and two doubles. His timely hitting helped extend several innings and build the Saints lead.

Jacob Cueva also delivered a productive day, collecting two doubles and two RBIs. Brett Atkinson recorded two hits, including a double, while scoring twice and driving in one. Aiden Gonzalez added two hits and two RBIs, and Mason Ruiz contributed a double and an RBI.

Our Lady of the Lake remained aggressive on the bases as well. Hovda stole two bases, Derek Hernandez added two steals after reaching base, and Atkinson contributed another as the Saints continued to pressure the Huston–Tillotson defense.

Huston–Tillotson scored its runs on a solo home run from Jacob Perez and a sacrifice fly from Danny Hernandez. However, the Rams managed only three hits in the game and struck out eight times against Ruiz. After Huston–Tillotson starter Edgar Muniz allowed four runs in three innings, the Saints continued to add to their lead against the bullpen, including a five-run stretch during the middle innings that put the game out of reach.

The Saints will be back in action this Friday at 6:00 PM CDT to start their home stand against Texas A&M-Texarkana.

APA President Dr. Wendi Williams to Speak at Our Lady of the Lake University on Leadership, Equity, and the Future of Psychology

Wendi Williams, President of the American Psychological Association, will visit Our Lady of the Lake University for a special campus conversation with students, psychologists, and community members.

Join us for an engaging discussion on the intersection of psychology, leadership, and equity. A nationally recognized psychologist, scholar, and educator, Dr. Williams brings more than two decades of experience exploring leadership, culturally responsive psychological practice, and the inner lives of Black women and girls. Her work integrates liberation psychology and intersectional feminist frameworks to advance transformative leadership and organizational change.

Dr. Williams currently serves as President of the American Psychological Association and has held academic leadership roles at institutions including Fielding Graduate University, Bank Street College of Education, and Mills College School of Education. She is also the editor of several influential books, including Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery.

This event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices in psychology today and engage in dialogue about leadership, scholarship, and equity-centered practice.

Event Details

Speaker: Wendi Williams, President, American Psychological Association
Host: Our Lady of the Lake University
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Main Building, Room 311
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be provided.

Students, faculty, psychologists, and community members across the region are warmly invited to attend this special conversation. Come be part of an inspiring dialogue on the future of psychology, leadership, and equity-centered change.

RSVP information coming soon.

A Conversation with APA President Dr-2Download

Litterio Wins Third RRAC Pitcher Of The Week Honors

The RRAC announces Texas A&M-Victoria’s Alyssa Carter as Softball Player of the Week and ninth-ranked Our Lady of the Lake’s (Texas) Annika Litterio as Pitcher of the Week for the dates of March 2-8. This is the sixth set of weekly awards.Senior right-handed pitcher Annika Litterio pitched in all four of the Saints’ games last week. She secured two wins – Freed-Hardeman, 9-8, and (22) William Carey, 4-2. She suffered one loss against (20) Mobile (Ala.), 2-1, and one no-decision to (10) Southeastern (Fla.), 1-0. Litterio pitched 18.1 innings, allowing three unearned runs, while striking out 14. Her ERA for the week is 1.15. She also added three assists.. 

Litterio has 11 wins and two losses, plus one save. She pitched in a total of 68 innings and struck out 83. She is second in the RRAC with a 1.34 ERA, and first in wins and in strikeouts. This is Litterio’s third Pitcher of the Week award. 

OLLU is first in the conference with a 6-0 record and 16-3 overall. The Saints are ranked ninth in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches Top 25 Poll.