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Our Lady of the Lake University welcomed nationally recognized media leader and philanthropist Donald “Don” E. Graham as the Commencement speaker on Thursday, May 7, delivering a powerful address focused on education, opportunity, and the transformative impact of serving communities such as San Antonio’s Westside.

Graham, Chairman Emeritus of Graham Holdings Company and former publisher of The Washington Post, shared reflections from a career shaped by journalism, public service, and a deep commitment to expanding access to education. Speaking directly to OLLU’s graduates — many of whom are first-generation college students and proud representatives of the Westside — Graham emphasized the responsibility that comes with education: to uplift others and strengthen the communities that shaped them.

Drawing from his own family legacy in media and civic leadership, Graham highlighted how opportunity grows when institutions invest in people. His speech paralleled his work co-founding TheDream.US, the nation’s largest scholarship program for DREAMers, underscoring his belief that higher education changes not only individual lives but entire neighborhoods.

His message resonated strongly with OLLU’s mission and history on the Westside of San Antonio — a university founded to expand access to higher education for underserved communities. Graham praised the resilience, cultural pride, and determination reflected in OLLU graduates, noting that their success represents generations of sacrifice and hope.

“You carry your community with you,” he shared, encouraging graduates to remain connected to their roots as they pursue careers, advanced degrees, and leadership opportunities.

As graduates crossed the commencement stage, his words reinforced a central theme of the evening: OLLU graduates are not only earning degrees; they are becoming leaders prepared to make lasting change in San Antonio and beyond.

The university proudly thanks Donald Graham for delivering an address that honored OLLU’s heritage, affirmed the strength of the Westside community, and inspired the newest generation of Saints to lead with purpose.

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrates Dr. Valerie Martinez, who was recognized at the 15th Annual Making a Mark on the World Women’s Leadership Awards Luncheon hosted by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on May 8.

Dr. Martinez received this distinguished honor in recognition of her leadership, professional excellence, and commitment to uplifting the community through education and service. Representing OLLU at the regional event, she stood among influential leaders whose work continues to create meaningful impact across San Antonio and beyond.

The Women’s Leadership Awards highlight individuals who exemplify innovation, mentorship, and dedication to empowering others — values that reflect OLLU’s mission of preparing leaders committed to service, social responsibility, and community engagement.

Through her work, Dr. Martinez advances opportunities for students and strengthens partnerships that support access to higher education and workforce success. Her recognition underscores the vital role OLLU faculty and administrators play in shaping future leaders while contributing to the broader Hispanic community.

OLLU congratulates Dr. Martinez on this well-deserved honor and celebrates her continued leadership as she helps make a lasting mark on the world.

Commencement season at Our Lady of the Lake University was filled with pride, gratitude, and joyful celebration as we honored the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2026.

The celebration began with the Ring Blessing Ceremony, where graduates received a meaningful symbol of their academic journey and lifelong connection to OLLU. Surrounded by classmates, faculty, family, and friends, students embraced a tradition rooted in faith, community, and accomplishment.

During the Graduation Liturgy, OLLU graduates gathered for a prayer service, giving thanks for their academic journey and asking God’s blessing on their future. The liturgy marked graduation as a faith-centered rite of passage, grounding each accomplishment in OLLU’s mission of service, community, and leadership beyond the classroom. Graduates who received their master’s degrees, also participated in hooding themselves during the ceremony.

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At Commencement, excitement filled the air as graduates crossed the stage, marking the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. Each moment reflected the spirit of the Saints: resilience, excellence, and unwavering support from the OLLU family. Graduates were heard giving advice to themselves as freshmen.

We proudly congratulate our graduates who now begin their professional careers and those continuing their educational journeys. Wherever their paths lead, they carry forward the values and traditions that define Our Lady of the Lake University.

📸 View highlights from Commencement in our photo gallery below.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 — the future is bright, and the Saints legacy continues.

Dear OLLU Community,

As we work together to make Fall 2026 as successful as possible, we want to celebrate our shared progress and keep moving forward with purpose. Our current enrollment number is 1,143, and that reflects the incredible effort of our entire OLLU community.

Enrollment is a shared responsibility, and every interaction with students matters. Together, we can continue to build momentum by:

• Recruiting future students by sharing your OLLU experience.
• Retaining the amazing OLLU students who are already here.
• Engaging and collaborating across campus with everyone you encounter.

Each registration strengthens our mission and brings us closer to our goal of 1,800 students for Fall 2026. You will continue to see the enrollment thermometer displayed across campus as we track our progress together.

With unity, focus, and urgency, we can create a vibrant, welcoming environment where students thrive and our community succeeds.

#WingsUp

May 5, 2026

Dear OLLU Family,

In recent weeks, we have shared moments that reflect both our promise and our true potential. From the $1.82 million investment by the Bexar County Commissioner’s Court to complete the renovation of the Auditorium beneath Sacred Heart Chapel, to an extraordinary soon-to-be announced $1 million gift from philanthropist Harvey Najim to honor Trustee and former Board Chair Roy Terracina, these milestones reflect growing momentum and belief in our University.

You have also seen it firsthand: faculty and staff across our university coming together with renewed focus to advance Fall 2026 registration and enrollment and reach our goals. This alignment is the result of commitment, collaboration, and a shared belief in our mission.

All the while, we must be clear—higher education is changing rapidly. Expectations are shifting, competition is intensifying, and the path forward demands discipline, focus, execution, accountability, and alignment from all of us. Today’s higher education environment requires institutions to adapt with urgency, discipline, and an unwavering focus on students.

As the semester and the academic year conclude and we celebrate commencement, let’s certainly pause and take pride in what we have accomplished, while keeping what lies ahead in our sights. We will continue building a university that serves students with greater focus, responsiveness, excellence, and distinction.

I believe in our university. I believe in our mission. And most importantly, I believe in you.

Our students and their futures remain at the center of this work.

Abel A. Chávez, MBA, Ph.D.

Good news, Saints: Grubhub at OLLU is offering a $1 discount, giving students, faculty, and staff an easy way to save a little money while grabbing a meal on campus. It is a simple perk that makes ordering ahead even more convenient, whether you are heading between classes, on a lunch break, or looking for a quick meal option.

OLLU Finals Week Promo! Use promo code “FINALS” to earn $1 off at any on-campus location during Finals week (May 4-7).

Take advantage of the savings and enjoy the convenience of ordering from campus dining locations through Grubhub. For the most up-to-date operating hours and location details, visit OLLU Dining Services at dineoncampus.com/ollu/locations.

Dear OLLU Community,

As we work together to make Fall 2026 as successful as possible, we want to celebrate our shared progress and keep moving forward with purpose. Our current enrollment number is 1,059, and that reflects the incredible effort of our entire OLLU community.

Enrollment is a shared responsibility, and every interaction with students matters. Together, we can continue to build momentum by:

• Recruiting future students by sharing your OLLU experience.
• Retaining the amazing OLLU students who are already here.
• Engaging and collaborating across campus with everyone you encounter.

Each registration strengthens our mission and brings us closer to our goal of 1,800 students for Fall 2026. You will continue to see the enrollment thermometer displayed across campus as we track our progress together.

With unity, focus, and urgency, we can create a vibrant, welcoming environment where students thrive and our community succeeds.

#WingsUp

Dear OLLU Community,

We are excited to launch a new tool to better support our students, and we want you to help us give it a personality. We’re inviting the entire OLLU community to submit name ideas for our new chatbot, along with a short rationale for your choice.

The process is simple:

• Open Submissions: Submit your name idea here and why it fits OLLU.
• Finalists Selected: A committee will select the top 3–5 names.
• Community Voting: The community will vote to choose the winner.

Please submit your suggestions by July 1. We look forward to seeing your creativity as we shape the future of student support together!

By Danya Pérez of the SA Report

The $3 million renovation of the historic auditorium at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is back on track following a crucial $1.82 million grant from Bexar County. The project had been stalled since September 2025, when a portion of the federal funding originally secured in 2022 was canceled. This new county support, drawn from the general fund and strictly earmarked for construction costs, effectively bridges the financial gap that halted the restoration.

Slated for completion by the spring of 2027, the renovation will modernize the 5,600-square-foot space while preserving its historic character. The restored auditorium is expected to become a vibrant hub for the San Antonio community, hosting small business development activities, workforce training, regional events, and tourism initiatives.

The total funding package for the project also includes $815,000 in federal funds, with the final $365,000 to be covered by institutional resources and private donations. University officials emphasized the space’s long history as a site for community engagement—dating back to the 1960s—and noted that the updated facility will significantly enhance OLLU’s capacity to host large-scale public service events.

Read the full story here