Category: Uncategorized

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Professor Timothy Kitterman, an adjunct faculty member in American Sign Language. Tim was suddenly taken from us, leaving a profound void in our OLLU family.

Tim dedicated 25 years to teaching, with the last 15 years spent at MacArthur High School. At OLLU, he taught ASL I and II, sharing his knowledge and passion with our students and community. His commitment to education and his students will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.

We especially hold in prayer Tim’s wife, Grace, and all who mourn his passing. We ask our Provident God to surround them with comfort, sustain them in their sorrow, and grant them strength through faith and community.

Please join us in giving thanks for Tim’s life, his service to our students, and the lasting impact of his work. May he rest in peace.

Looking to refresh your office or home office space, furnish a study area, or score some great tech deals? Our Lady of the Lake University invites you to the highly anticipated Lake Yard Sale, where you’ll find a wide variety of office furniture and electronics at unbeatable prices!

Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff member, or part of the local San Antonio community, this is your chance to shop for items at a fraction of the cost. From sleek desks and ergonomic chairs to computers, there’s something for everyone.

📅 Event Details:

• Dates: September 12–14 & September 18–20 (Taco Food truck available on 9/14)
• Time: Starting at 8:00 AM each day
• Location: 411 S.W. 24th St., San Antonio, TX

🪑 💻What’s Available:

• Office chairs and hutches
• Desks and tables
• 5-piece sofa sets
• Monitors and computers
• MacBooks and other tech accessories
• Plus more surprise items!

💳 Payment & Pickup Info:

• Payment Methods: Cash and digital payments accepted
• Pickup Policy: All items must be picked up on the same day of purchase

📣 Why You Should Come Early:

Inventory is limited, and items are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early gives you the best chance to grab the most popular items before they’re gone. Whether you’re furnishing a new office or upgrading your tech setup, this sale is a budget-friendly way to get what you need. If you would like to schedule a sneak peek of the items before the first sale date, RSVP by contacting the Chief of Staff’s office at chiefofstaff@ollusa.edu before the September 11th Preview Day.

Mark your calendar and spread the word—The Lake Yard Sale is your destination for deals this September!

We Want to Hear From You!

Hey Saints! Your feedback is super important to us. As we continue testing the new ordering system in CRAVE, we want to make sure your voices shape the improvements. Remember—this system is only temporary. Soon, you’ll be able to order through GrubHub mobile and kiosks, making things faster and eliminating cafeteria wait times.

Thanks to your input, we’ve already made some changes:
✅ Larger portion sizes on many items
✅ More protein options in bowls
✅ BBQ sandwiches now come with sides (same price!)
✅ Breakfast all day

For now, here’s how the temporary ordering works:

1. Pick from one of five menus at the end of the hall
2. Mark your choice with a marker
3. Write your name on the order slip
4. Hand it to the cashier
5. Grab your meal from the cubbies at the end of the line
6. Enjoy! 🎉

Now we’d love to hear more from you—take a few minutes to fill out the survey and let us know what you think. Your feedback = a better dining experience for everyone!

For more menu options, click here.

The Middle East Outreach Council (MEOC) has named Dr. Christopher Rose, Assistant Professor and Program Head of History at Our Lady of the Lake University, as a recipient of its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor recognizes his scholarship, leadership, and more than two decades of dedicated service to the Council and the field of Middle Eastern Studies.

Dr. Rose is a nationally recognized historian whose work focuses on the social history of medicine in the Middle East. His current book project, Home Front Egypt: Famine, Disease, and Death during the Great War, examines how wartime policies in colonial Egypt fueled hunger and disease—research supported by a Fulbright U.S. Scholars grant. He has published widely on topics such as cholera, pandemic flu, and public health policy, and at OLLU he shares this expertise through his teaching in world history and mentorship of students.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Rose has had a long and impactful career in educational outreach. From 2000 to 2016, he served as Assistant Director at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he expanded outreach programming, developed curriculum resources, and conducted educator workshops across the country. A public historian, he has also co-hosted podcasts, organized study tours, and developed innovative ways to make Middle Eastern history accessible to educators and students alike.

Within MEOC, Dr. Rose has served in numerous leadership roles—including President (2014–2018), Past President, Treasurer, and Nominations Chair—where he played an instrumental role in supporting initiatives such as the annual MEOC Book Awards program. His leadership and commitment have helped strengthen the organization and advance its mission of promoting accurate, engaging resources on the Middle East for classrooms nationwide.

Dr. Rose will be honored during MEOC’s virtual General Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 2. OLLU is proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of his scholarship, leadership, and service.

MEOC’s website is: www.meoc.us

OLLU is excited to share the highlights from a recent Q&A with Teresa Niño, who joined Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) this July as Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for Marketing, Communications, and Engagement:

1. Leadership & Role Evolution
Teresa has stepped into an expanded role that goes beyond traditional marketing—now encompassing government and alumni relations, as well as special events. Her appointment marks a shift back from an outsourced model to reestablishing in-house operations.

2. Motivated by Mission
Niño shared that one of her strongest drivers for joining OLLU was the university’s legacy—as the nation’s first Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), rooted in civil rights history and a Catholic mission to educate the underserved. She feels her work now is even more critical amid mounting pressures on DEI-focused institutions.

3. A Collaborative, Campus-Wide Approach
She emphasized that enhancing OLLU’s visibility isn’t a one-person role but a campus-wide effort. Whether it’s faculty, maintenance staff, or anyone who interacts with students, everyone should contribute to creating a welcoming, supportive environment.

4. Embracing Opportunity After Adversity
Far from being deterred by recent budget cuts and organizational shifts, Teresa sees them as an opening—an opportunity to re-energize and showcase OLLU’s rich heritage and potential through a “Put me in, coach!” mindset.

5. Measuring Success
Teresa envisions her success in increased visibility—through more stories being told, broader community recognition, and ultimately, growing student interest and enrollment.

To read the entire article, check here.

The OLLU-Houston campus officially kicked off the 2025–2026 academic year on August 16 with a warm and energetic orientation for the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Class of 2028. Special guest Shirley Caldera, Director of Graduate Recruiting and Retention and Interim Regional Executive Director of Houston and RGV, delivered an inspiring welcome to our newest cohort.

With three consecutive years of full MFT cohorts, excitement on campus is stronger than ever. Dr. Adrianna Gil-Wilkerson, Director of the MFT Program, also introduced Dr. Lindsay McCarthy, Assistant Professor of Psychology, who joins the Houston campus faculty this year.

This fall, OLLU-Houston continues its commitment to community engagement. Graduate Admissions Counselor Victoria Sandoval is leading a partnership with the BEAR Back to School Drive—supporting BEAR (Be a Resource for CPS Kids), the only 501(c)(3) organization working directly with Texas DFPS and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. Students proudly contributed essential items to help children in need start the school year strong.

A special standing ovation goes to the Class of 2026, who have completed more than 300 direct service hours, finished internships, and are now preparing for their licensing exams. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and accomplishments.

Here’s to a year of growth, service, and success at OLLU-Houston!

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Antonio have taken a significant step forward in their shared commitment to educational equity, access, and opportunity for the Hispanic community. In a formal signing ceremony held at the Mexican Consulate, leaders from both institutions came together to reaffirm their dedication to supporting the next generation of students through targeted scholarship funding and educational initiatives.

Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transformation—both for individuals and communities. Scholarships are more than financial aid—they are a statement of belief in our students’ potential, their future, and their ability to lead change in our communities.”

The partnership also aligns with OLLU’s long-standing mission of service, leadership, and social justice. For decades, the university has been a cornerstone for the Hispanic population in San Antonio and beyond, championing efforts that reflect the cultural richness and aspirations of its students.

As the Hispanic student population continues to grow across the United States, this collaboration serves as a model for how institutions can respond—by investing in equity, fostering inclusion, and committing to a transformative impact on students’ lives. The scholarships provided through this partnership will not only help individual recipients complete their degrees but will also ripple out into their families, neighborhoods, and professions, creating lasting change.

In the years ahead, OLLU and the Mexican Consulate plan to continue strengthening their alliance, expanding scholarship opportunities, and enhancing academic support systems to ensure that every deserving student can reach their fullest potential. Together, they are building a future where education is not a privilege for the few, but a promise kept for all.

We would like to welcome are newest faculty members to Our Lake of the Lake University. Don’t forget to say “Hi” to new faces in the hallways as we begin the new semester.

Eric Banks, PhD,   Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Anthony Fava, PhD,  Post-Doctoral Scholar of Kinesiology 

Lindsay McCarthy, PhD,   Assistant Professor of Psychology