OLLU alumna Sarai Bejarano was recently featured in the San Antonio Report with a powerful op-ed reflecting on how Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) transformed her life and career.
In the piece, Sarai shares her journey as a first-generation college student whose experience at Our Lady of the Lake University — and within the HSI program shaped in part by the late Dr. Antonio Rigual — opened doors to opportunity, leadership and advocacy.
Today, Sarai serves as the Manager of Media Relations and Marketing at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, where she works to defend and protect Hispanic-Serving Institutions and advance equity through legal advocacy.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Sarai’s story reflects the mission-driven impact of OLLU and the vital role HSIs play in supporting first-generation and Latino students. Her op-ed is both personal and urgent, underscoring why protecting these institutions matters for future generations.
As part of Spirit Week at Our Lady of the Lake University, Saints Showdown invites undergraduate students to step onto the field and be an athlete for a day — no experience required.
Hosted by SPB and held in the UWAC gym, this athlete-themed event brings classic field day competition indoors, giving students the chance to face off in tug of war, relay races, and other throwback-style games. It’s friendly rivalry, high energy, and Saints pride in motion.
More than just competition, Saints Showdown is about participation and community. Rally your classmates, reprsent your year, and enjoy an afternoon of movement, laughter, and connection. Free pizza will fuel the fun, and participants will receive custom Saints Showdown swag created specifically for this event.
At the end of the day, one grad year will raise the Champions Cup and claim campus bragging rights.
Spirit Week is about celebrating the OLLU familia, and Saints Showdown adds an athletic edge to that celebration.
Undergraduate students can sign up by grad year. Teams are forming now.
The San Antonio Chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) continued the Dr. Keith Russell Memorial Awards for Academic Excellence this year, recognizing outstanding finance and accounting students from local colleges and universities.
FEI San Antonio presented a $1,000 award to each 4-year university recipient and a $500 award to each Community College recipient.
We are proud to recognize our nominees:
Mario Salazar – BBA, Accounting
Jacoby Turner – Double Major, BBA Finance & Accounting; Minor in Environmental Science & Sustainability
The Academic Awards Dinner was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the San Antonio Country Club. Dr. Harrison Watts and Professor Roger Johnson represented our University at the event.
Please join us in congratulating Mario and Jacoby on this well-deserved recognition of their academic excellence!
Dayanara Torres, Senior Visual Arts major and Spring 2026 graduation candidate, is curating an on-campus group exhibition as part of her Honors Capstone Project. This project offers an opportunity for any OLLU student in San Antonio to submit their artwork.
THEME:
How students at OLLU express or cope with various mental health struggles during their college careers.
details:
Express yourself through whatever medium you’d like with whatever topic related to the theme.
Artwork submissions are due by Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. through this form.
No AI “art” allowed. All work should be originally created by the artist.
Exhibition details:
Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
For Beau Lewis, athletics is more than competition—it’s a legacy.
Growing up in a family of collegiate athletes, Lewis was surrounded by examples of dedication, discipline, and perseverance. His grandfather played football at the University of Houston, while his mother competed in basketball at Sam Houston State University. Their achievements didn’t just set a standard—they created a pathway.
“I’ve always been driven to follow in their footsteps,” Lewis shares. “Their hard work, discipline, and passion for their sports inspire me every day to give my best for my team and continue their legacy at OLLU.”
That legacy carries special meaning during Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and impact of Black athletes whose excellence and resilience have shaped the world of sports. For Lewis, honoring that history means showing up fully—for himself, his teammates, and those who paved the way before him.
Alongside family inspiration, Lewis credits an influential mentor who helped shape his athletic and personal growth. His high school coach, Coach Norris, played a pivotal role in building his confidence and competitive mindset. Norris, now OLLU’s Athletic Director, gets to provide that support to Beau and 400 other athletes on a daily basis.
“He always believed in me, pushed me to improve, and made sure I was moving forward even when things got tough,” Lewis says. “I’m incredibly grateful for his support at every meet.”
As a student-athlete at Our Lady of the Lake University, Lewis recognizes the importance of continuing to uplift and celebrate Black voices—not just during February, but throughout the year.
“OLLU uplifts Black voices by sharing these stories year-round,” he notes.
By honoring family legacy, valuing mentorship, and embracing the broader history of Black excellence in athletics, Beau Lewis represents both where the journey began and where it continues. During Black History Month and beyond, his story is a reminder that every performance carries the strength of those who came before—and the inspiration for those still to come.
From January 30 to February 1, two OLLU TExAS FAST scholars travelled to Arizona State University to participate in the 2nd Annual Model USDA with the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems!
All participants were assigned a role and scenario! Karis Alcoser took on the role of Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Agriculture in deciding whether to finalize proposed guidelines for new FSIS labels in meat and poultry. Mia Curiel acted as President of Public Land Council, voicing her opinion on how to best educate the public about prescribed burns.
Karis and Mia met nearly 200 like-minded peers from 31 universities around the world and participated in a Q&A with two former US Secretaries of Agriculture. They also toured ASU, which is home to one of the largest sustainability programs in North America! We hope this trip inspired both students to continue their journey in Environmental Science and Sustainability!
Attention OLLU Students! Counseling & Wellness Services will host the first Dental Day of the year on Friday, February 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the University Wellness and Activities Center. Students can receive a free teeth cleaning with no out-of-pocket cost for those insured through Wellfleet Student Insurance.
Students should check their @ollusa.edu email for a survey link from counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required, and space is limited.
If you have questions or need to join the waitlist, don’t hesitate to contact Counseling & Wellness Services at counselingandwellness@ollusa.edu.
Credit Human is now accepting applications for its 2026 Scholarship Program. This scholarship opportunity supports undergraduate and returning students who are continuing their educational journey and investing in their future.
Eligible applicants must be Credit Human members—or the child, grandchild, or spouse of a member in good standing for at least one year—hold a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the upcoming academic year. Students graduating in December 2026 may qualify for half of the scholarship award. High school seniors and students enrolled in trade, technical, or vocational programs are not eligible.
Applicants must submit a complete official transcript as part of the application process. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April, and selected recipients must complete additional steps to accept the award and verify enrollment.
In addition to the scholarship program, Credit Human partners with Our Lady of the Lake University to offer free, on-campus financial wellness workshops. These sessions help students build practical skills around budgeting, credit, and long-term financial planning, supporting students as they work toward a stronger financial future.
Visual & New Media Arts is proud to present Resiliencia, a group exhibition by the Barrio Art & Popular Culture class commemorating Segundo de Febrero.
Students enrolled in Barrio Art & Popular Culture were tasked with creating a 2-D work of art that answers the question, “What does resilience look like?”
They studied the history of Segundo de Febrero events and read pamphlets from the OLLU archives from early organizing efforts in the 1980s. They found the original intentions behind the commemoration of Segundo de Febrero to still be relevant today.
While creating their projects, students considered themes of resilience in the face of adversity, the birth of the Chicano, La Candelaria, Indigenous Blessings of the Seeds, and living in the Borderlands.
Each student approached their work in a distinct manner, and incorporated materials that would best get their point across.
This semester, Barrio Art & Popular Culture is working with the Service-Learning Department to help restore the historic mural, The Treaty, at Cassiano Homes with the original artists that painted it in 1980, Anastacio (Tachi) Torres and Juan Hernandez. They are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our Westside community and getting hands-on experience with mural painting.
We invite you to the opening on Wednesday, February 4th at 5pm in the Sueltenfuss Library Community Room. For more information, please contact Professor Gonzalez at sbgonzalez@ollusa.edu.
Welcome back Saints, Spring 2026 is officially underway! If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to jump in and secure your schedule. Whether you’re finalizing your plans or making last-minute adjustments, registering now can help you:
Avoid full courses
Stay on track for graduation
Secure the schedule you want
Log in and register today – don’t wait until it’s too late!
