Category: Top Stories

Our Lady of the Lake University is opening a new door for student success with its No-Cost Master’s Program. This five-year pathway allows first-time incoming freshman students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with little to no graduate tuition. The initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers, speed up degree completion, and help students transition into the workforce with advanced credentials.

The program will begin with five participating master’s degrees: business administration, cybersecurity, cybersecurity management, nonprofit management, and social work. OLLU says the effort is part of its broader commitment to making graduate education more accessible for students who demonstrate academic readiness and financial need.

The pilot will launch with 30 available seats for first-time incoming freshman students. To participate, students must complete one of the approved undergraduate degrees within four years, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and meet additional eligibility requirements. While students will still be responsible for books and some fees, the university is covering the bulk of graduate tuition through institutional support.

OLLU leaders say the program reflects the university’s mission to create opportunity, support student achievement, and prepare graduates for meaningful careers. By offering a streamlined and more affordable path to a master’s degree, the university hopes to open new possibilities for students and strengthen the future of the OLLU community.

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Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) celebrated Undergraduate Research Week last week, highlighting the scholarly work and academic aspirations of undergraduate students across campus. As part of the week’s events, OLLU welcomed State Senator José Menéndez (TX-26), the university’s representative, to attend the McNair Scholars Research Proposal presentations.

Senator Menéndez, a first-generation college graduate and the son of immigrants, joined the students to offer encouragement and reflect on the importance of higher education and research opportunities. His visit provided McNair Scholars with a meaningful opportunity to engage directly with a state leader who has long advocated for expanded educational access across Texas.

During the discussion, students shared questions and concerns related to proposing original research and receiving constructive feedback. In response to a question about imposter syndrome, Senator Menéndez affirmed students’ places in academic and professional spaces, stating, “You belong just as much as they do.” He encouraged students to continue pursuing research and to use their work as a tool for positive change.

The visit concluded with a reminder of the broader impact of their efforts. “You all are the role models for a lot of kids,” Senator Menéndez shared. “Don’t forget that many will see a future for themselves because of what y’all are doing.”

The visit served as a highlight of Undergraduate Research Week, reinforcing OLLU’s commitment to student development, mentorship, and community engagement.

Faculty interested in facilitating classroom conversations with elected officials are encouraged to coordinate with Clarissa Vega, Director of Special Initiative and Government Relations, at cvega@ollusa.edu.

Our Lady of the Lake University is proud to welcome Donald E. Graham, chairman of Graham Holdings Company, as the Spring 2026 commencement speaker. A respected business leader and champion for educational access, Graham brings decades of experience in leadership, innovation, and public service.

Beyond his success in the business sector, Graham has made a lasting impact in higher education and student opportunity. He is a co-founder of TheDream.US, the nation’s largest scholarship fund for DREAMers, and previously served as chairman of the District of Columbia College Access Program, where he continues to serve on the board. Through DC-CAP, more than 23,000 students in Washington, D.C. have been helped to enroll in college, with scholarships totaling more than $33 million.

His commitment to expanding access to education reflects OLLU’s own mission and holds special meaning where higher education can open doors, strengthen families, and transform communities. Graham’s experience is a powerful reminder that business success can go hand in hand with a deep investment in students and the future of our society.

Our Lady of the Lake University’s 5K Confetti Run/Walk was a vibrant success, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters in a joyful celebration of Fiesta spirit and OLLU pride. The event raised a remarkable $27,369 in profit for scholarships, helping open more doors for students while strengthening the university community.

This year’s turnout showed exciting growth, with 85 more registrants than last year. That increase reflects the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of the OLLU family, whose support continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students. From the start of the race to the final confetti-filled moments, the event was filled with excitement, unity, and a shared purpose. See pictures of this fun-filled event here.

The spirit of OLLU was on full display throughout the day. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni came together not only to run or walk, but to celebrate one another and the university’s mission. The Fiesta atmosphere added to the joy of the event, creating a memorable experience that highlighted the strong sense of community that defines OLLU.

Thank you to all who volunteered and attended this special event!

Our Lady of the Lake University was honored by Northside Independent School District at its Annual Partnership Awards on April 15, 2026, in recognition of a partnership that has made a lasting difference for children and families. Since 2015, OLLU’s Psychology Department has worked with NISD to operate a Family Therapy Clinic at Driggers Elementary School, providing free services to NISD families every Wednesday evening during the fall and spring semesters.

The clinic was established by Dr. Deborah Healy following her retirement from NISD, where she served as Director of Guidance and Counseling Services. With Dr. Bernadette Solorzano and OLLU Marriage and Family Therapy graduate students offering direct support on site, the program has continued for 11 years and has served hundreds of families across the district.

This recognition highlights the strength of the OLLU-NISD partnership and the university’s commitment to community care, student training, and accessible mental health support. Through this enduring collaboration, OLLU continues to live out its mission by serving families and strengthening the well-being of the broader San Antonio community.

This past Saturday, April 25, saw the fruition of a year-long collaborative project.  On a patch of land between the softball field and Elmendorf Lake, OLLU students and employees, along with community partners, erected a 16-foot-tall chimney swift tower.  Chimney swifts are for birds whose numbers are in severe decline in San Antonio due to a lack of nesting sites.  Traditionally, birds nest within chimneys, but with more metal chimneys these days, birds can’t find safe places to roost.  The chimney swift towers are essentially tall, wooden boxes with textured perches built inside to satisfy the birds’ needs.

OLLU’s new campus chimney swift tower was born out of a collaboration with the Bexar County Audubon Society.  Last Fall, the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism partnered with faculty from the Department of Mathematics and Sciences to write an Audubon community mini-grant to fund birdhouses and educational materials on campus. 

The grant request included the tower on our campus and also traditional nestboxes for OLLU and our neighbors’ campuses: Rodriguez Montessori Elementary School, Little Flower School, and the Las Palmas public library.  In addition, the grant allowed for binoculars and educational materials developed in our biology laboratory classes for the children and the public.  The new OLLU Audubon student club was involved with the planning and logistics of this project every step of the way.

The construction of the tower took many hands as lots of partners lined up for the project.  The cutting of the wood and pre-assembly of different tower modules was completed at Sidney Lanier High School by students in the Career and Technical Education program with their teacher, Mr. Benjamin Rodrigues.  The outer skin of the tower was then painted with a colorful mural depicting a rosary, chimney swifts, flowers and the word “OLLU” in a collaborative event last week by students in the Art Ink and Alliance clubs along with faculty from the Visual & New Media Arts program.  Also last week, students from the TExAS FAST Scholars program stepped up to help lay the foundation in time for it to properly cure for Saturday.

All of this came together with the final assembly of the tower this past weekend which included OLLU students involved in the vOLLUnteer Unity Council, faculty from Environmental Science and Sustainability, and high school students.  All of it came together not just physically but on a deeper level when the participants were joined by Sisters Rose and Anita from the Congregation of Divine Providence who helped bless the tower and recognize its importance as a tool for rebuilding and caring for fragile landscapes.  

Everyone is invited to walk down the path on Elmendorf Lake Park or cross 24^th Street across from the Chapel and stroll down the road to take a look at how OLLU is helping the environment.   

April 20, 2026

Dear OLLU Family,

I am writing to share with you some exciting news.  Today, Bexar County Commissioner’s Court approved our proposal for a grant of $1.8M for the completion of the Chapel Auditorium’s restoration.

This grant will fulfill our mission that started in 2023.  The auditorium, below Sacred Heart Chapel, was started in 1886 and took 28-years to complete, opening its doors in 1925.  The auditorium was once the convening place for over 200 nuns receiving orientation.  More recently, the auditorium was also the host for orientation for our students.

When completed, in late 2027, with modern technology, the auditorium will host career fairs, health fairs, small business forums, and, yes, orientations for our students.

We will share this news with the larger San Antonio community in a few days.  But, for now, I wanted to share this exciting news with you first to show you that we are making progress in our efforts; and to thank you for your cooperation and support.

Conceptual Rendering of Chapel Auditorium

With gratitude,

Abel A. Chávez, MBA, Ph.D.

Our Lady of the Lake University brought Fiesta energy to campus during its annual Confetti 5K Run/Walk, welcoming students, employees, alumni, families, and community members for a morning focused on wellness, school spirit, and community connection.

Participants gathered on campus to run and walk the 5K route through Elemendorf Lake, celebrating one of OLLU’s official Fiesta events. Runners of all experience levels joined the event, from competitive racers to first-time participants, creating a strong campus turnout.

The event recognized the fastest runners across divisions while also highlighting OLLU’s Fiesta spirit, with participants showing school pride through festive attire, confetti-filled celebrations, and team participation.

The Confetti 5K continues to serve as a campus tradition that brings the university and surrounding community together during Fiesta season. The event reflects OLLU’s commitment to student engagement, health and wellness, and community celebration.

OLLU extends its appreciation to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors whose support made this year’s Confetti 5K Run/Walk possible.