OLLU President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD, invites faculty and staff to enjoy pan dulce and hot chocolate with him in the Moye Rotunda on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m.
Tag: Abel Chavez
HACU names President Chávez to its Board of Governors
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has named OLLU President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD, to its 18-member Board of Governors for 2023-2024.
Dr. Chávez joined HACU leaders on Nov. 9 for a groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters in San Antonio.
The 25,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility will be located on a 4.7-acre site on the Northeastern side of San Antonio, and will house eight institutes. The new headquarters will accommodate up to 100 employees on two floors. Construction is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025.
HACU was organized and formed at OLLU in May 1986. HACU has been located at several sites throughout the years. From its West Side roots, HACU is spreading its wings across the world.
In The News
Recent media coverage that brought attention to OLLU:
On Sept. 13, a story on Telemundo San Antonio about Tex-Mex food, featuring OLLU’s Yolanda Rodriguez-Escobar, Director of the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research:
On Sept. 12, a story in Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education written in Spanish by OLLU President Abel Chávez:
On Sept. 9, a Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio podcast, featuring OLLU President Abel Chávez:
OLLU names Tom Norris as Athletic Director
OLLU has selected Tom Norris as its new Athletic Director. A seasoned athletic administrator with a proven track record of successful athletic programs, Norris will oversee the university’s 18 intercollegiate athletic teams. He currently serves as Indiana University Kokomo (IUK) Director of Athletics and will join OLLU on Oct. 2.
Before joining Indiana University, Norris served as Assistant Athletic Director at St. Mary’s University – an NCAA D2 school located less than three miles from the OLLU campus.
OLLU President Abel Chávez, PhD, MBA commented, “Aside from his strengths in athletic program development, Tom has impressive experience in athletic policy development and implementation, fundraising, community partnership, promotions and budget and staff management. I am confident he will provide strong leadership for athletics.”
At IUK, an NAIA university, Norris oversees all aspects of the university’s athletic program by supporting 230 student-athletes and 26 coaches and support staff. He worked closely with community partners and donors and collaborated with the university administration.
Norris comes to OLLU as only the third Athletic Director in school history. Jack Hank started the program in 2006, and a men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team began competing in 2007 through the NAIA. The following year, the university added women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf and tennis. In 2009, OLLU joined the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) and added basketball, cross-country and softball. In 2014, OLLU added baseball and track and field teams. After Shane Hurley became Athletic Director in 2018, he led the addition of competitive cheer and dance in 2019 and drumline in 2022. Hurley returned to his roots to lead the men’s soccer team as Head Coach.
The university now boasts more than 400 student-athletes, 19 full-time coaches and three full-time athletic trainers.
Norris said, “I look forward to continuing the longstanding success of Our Lady of the Lake Athletics and immersing myself in the OLLU and San Antonio community.”
In The News
Recent media coverage that brought attention to OLLU:
On Aug. 5, a story in the Laredo Morning Times about former OLLU Vice President Rosalinda Garcia:
On Aug. 4, a story in the San Antonio Business Journal about OLLU President Abel Chávez:
OLLU hosts Association of Latino Professionals for America
OLLU and President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD, hosted the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and area college/university presidents and administrations last week to discuss how to better support students on their professional journeys.
A rich and invigorating exchange of ideas occurred with ALPFA CEO Damian Rivera, ALPFA executives and the presidents and administrators.
“It was inspiring to see so many officials and presidents from universities and colleges come together to have a very honest and open dialogue,” Rivera said. “Ten years from now, we’ll look back and remember, the meeting at Our Lady of the Lake University was the seed that created so much growth. I’m very excited about it.”
It was Rivera’s first visit to OLLU. “The campus is amazing,” he said. “The buildings are beautiful. The welcoming of faculty and staff was warm and the engagement was phenomenal.”
ALPFA is the largest Latino professional organization in the U.S. with 47 professional chapters, 215 student chapters and more than 100,000 members. Its mission is to empower and develop Latino leaders through networking and professional development.
In the News
Recent media coverage that brought attention to OLLU:
On July 20, a story on Catholic Television San Antonio about the one-year anniversary of OLLU President Abel Chávez:
On July 19, a story on KSAT-12 about alumna and new Corazon Ministries CEO Erika Borrego:
OLLU men’s basketball hosts Spurs overnight camp for first time
The OLLU men’s basketball program, in conjunction with the San Antonio Spurs, recently hosted a youth camp at Mabee Gymnasium. The overnight event, held July 9-14, included 63 players ages 14-18 who received the full college experience, from dining at the cafeteria to staying in the Flores Residence Hall.
Saints Head Coach Chris Dial and Assistant Coach David Smith worked with various staff members from the Spurs to host the camp. Spurs Vice President of Youth Sports Joe Clark and Associate Director of Camps and Clinics Austin Peebles work with youth camps year-round and helped bring the clinic to OLLU for the first time. This season marks the 50th anniversary of the camps.
Clark and Peebles have been with the Spurs for many years and bring a wealth of knowledge to the participants. Clark started as an intern in ticket sales for the Spurs and has been with the organization for 38 years. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin prior to joining the program. He commented, “This was the first time we were able to work with the university to put together this camp. We have a great relationship with Head Coach Chris Dial and the men’s basketball staff. OLLU President Chávez (Abel Antonio Chávez, MBA, PhD) supported this idea to bring the Spurs brand to the community. We teach values off the court including being a good teammate and having respect for the game and opponents.” Clark added that players from throughout the United States and different countries are attending the camp.
Peebles has 15 years of experience and started as a coordinator. He also worked with the Chicago Bulls prior to joining the Spurs organization. The Illinois native handles setting up the coaching staff for the camps, managing the equipment, player appearances and more. He notes that having a solid structure of coaches helps the sessions run smoothly.
President Chávez to speak at Educational Luncheon today
OLLU President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD, will be the featured speaker today at an Educational Luncheon hosted by the San Antonio Human Resource Management Association (SAHRMA) at the Old San Francisco Steak House.
Dr. Chávez will speak on, “Leadership or Strategy? Reimagining the Use of Today’s Tools and Resources for Tomorrow’s Organizations.”
The event starts at 11:30 a.m. OLLU students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend. For cost and more information, click the following link:
https://sahrma.org/event-5101697
OLLU hosts EducationUSA
OLLU recently hosted advisers from EducationUSA, which promotes the diversity of U.S. higher education to help international students find their best fit. Advisers from Austria, Brazil, Guatemala and Vietnam spent last week on campus and met with representatives from OLLU and other local colleges and universities.
President Abel Chávez, MBA, PhD, hosted a reception for the advisers in Main Building, Room 220, where they learned about OLLU’s mission and its commitment to international students.
The visit gave OLLU much needed exposure in overseas markets, helping the university build relationships with international advisers that could develop into virtual fairs and future exchanges.
