Tag: Featured Posts

Introducing the 2022 OLLU Fiesta Medal

OLLU’s 2022 Fiesta Medal is now available in the Bookstore for $10 each. 

Featuring a beautiful, colorful depiction of the entrance to Sacred Heart Chapel, the medal was designed by Cathy Maule, assistant director of Marketing and Communications. The 2022 medal is the university’s 13th Fiesta Medal. 

A limited number of medals from previous years also are available in the Bookstore so those interested can complete their collection. All proceeds benefit scholarships for OLLU students.

The hours for the Bookstore are as follows:
Monday-Thursdays – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fridays: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

First event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month set for Tuesday

A panel discussion, “Have your boundaries been blurred? A Conversation with Student Leaders,” will mark the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month at OLLU on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., via WebEx.

The event will feature OLLU student leaders as they talk about setting personal boundaries and cultivating a variety of healthy relationships.

OLLU is committed to ending sexual violence through education, ​prevention and advocacy. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, OLLU Cares, Title IX and the Wellness Center are sponsoring multiple events in April. 

The OLLU community is also invited to participate in the Teal Tuesday social media campaign by wearing teal every Tuesday in April in solidarity with survivors to raise awareness of sexual assault. The community is encouraged to post their Teal Tuesday pictures with the hashtag #SAAMTealTuesdaysOLLU.

Softball stomps Steers in doubleheader shutout

The softball team defeated Texas College (TC) 16-0 and 20-2, with both being five-inning run-rules. The Saints improve to 27-8 overall and 14-4 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Steers drop to 1-19 overall and 0-16 in conference. Katelyn Esparza (JR/San Antonio, Texas) and Alexis Valdez were honored as part of Seniors’ Day.

History

The Saints were 31-2 against the Steers prior to the doubleheader.

Game One, 16-0 (5 innings)

Caitlin Terrazas (SR/Atascosa, Texas) started the doubleheader against the Steers with a two-run home run in the first inning. Hannah Garza (FR/Lyford, Texas) followed with a double to score Julissa Moreno (JR/Austin, Texas). The Saints added five more runs in the second inning. Terrazas, Garza, Moreno, Marissa Bradley (SO/Seguin, Texas) and Eneli Garza (SO/La Feria, Texas) all tallied RBIs. OLLU scored eight more runs in the third inning and won 16-0 in a run-rule. The Saints totaled 18 hits and the Steers made six errors.

Angela Ramirez (SR/Converse, Texas) pitched a complete game and allowed only two hits in a win. Garza and Bradley both batted 3-for-4. Terrazas added three more RBIs and Moreno scored three times.

Game Two, 20-0 (5 innings)

The Saints offense was relentless in game two. They scored 20 runs on 13 hits and Kristee Salas (JR/Edinburg, Texas) hit for the cycle. Salas totaled eight RBIs in game two to set the Saints single-game RBI record. The Saints scored four runs in the first inning, eight in the third inning and eight in the fourth inning. In addition to Salas’ cycle, five other Saints recorded a multi-RBI contest.

Kelly Anne Salinas (JR/Laredo, Texas) started in the circle and pitched a complete game. She allowed only two hits and struck out three batters to earn the win. Garza batted 3-for-4 and scored two runs.

Up next

The Saints play a nonconference doubleheader at home against Schreiner University on April 6 starting at 1 p.m.

Men’s tennis sweeps Texas Lutheran University

The men’s tennis team defeated NCAA D3 Texas Lutheran University (TLU) 7-0 last Friday. The Saints improve to 2-5 overall while the Bulldogs drop to 0-11. 

Doubles results: 

LineOLLUTLUScoreResult
1Michael Canales/Christopher DoyalS. Carandong/A. Salinas8-0Win
2Enzo Frequelin/Johan FavelinH. Cook/J. Hawng8-4Win
3Caio Ravagnani/Murilo SalviatoD. Weaver/Q. Johnson8-0Win

Singles results: 

LineOLLUTLUScoreResult
1Enzo FrequelinH. Cook6-0, 6-0Win
2Johan FavelinS. Carandong6-3, 6-2Win
3Murilo SalviatoD. Weaver6-0, 6-0Win
4Caio RavagnaniJ. Hawng6-0, 6-1Win
5Christopher DoyalA. Salinas6-1, 6-0Win
6Michael CanalesQ. Johnson6-0, 6-0Win
7Malachi FarleyR. Solis6-0, 6-1Win

Up next: 

The Saints play Texas Wesleyan University in Georgetown, Texas, on April 12 at 1 p.m.

Saints welcome volleyball alumni

OLLU welcomed alumni members of the volleyball team to campus on Saturday, March 26. The women first played a friendly match against current Saints players and then enjoyed a luncheon outside of the University Wellness and Activities Center (UWAC).

The Saints defeated the alumni 2-1 with set scores of 22-25, 25-20 and 25-20. Prior to the game, Director of Alumni and Family Relations Debora Guzman Perez and Head Coach Scott Mattera honored three alumni – Alexia Bustamante, Gloriana Villarreal and Alysha Blanco.

Previous recipients of the volleyball alumni awards are as follows:

2015: Sarah Lindsey (2007-2010) and Kelsey Johnson (2007-2010)
2016: Liza Rodriguez (2008-2011) and Elyse Escobar (2008-2011)
2017: Norma Fraga (2009-2012) and Desirea Aguilar (2009-2012)
2019: Suzette Pena (2011-2014), Bryttany Willoughby (2011-2014) and Kendall Groff (2013-2017)

ALEXIA BUSTAMANTE – Alumni Saints Service AwardWhile at OLLU from 2014-2016, Bustamante received the 2015 All-Conference Second Team, 2016 All-Conference Honorable Mention, 2016 Champions of Character and 2016-2017 Conference Scholar-Athlete awards. She graduated from OLLU in 2017. Bustamante is now a teacher’s assistant at The Winston School of San Antonio. Bustamante received the Alumni Saints Service Award for her work in the community, especially with the Club Volleyball program in San Antonio, including the San Antonio Juniors Volleyball Club, where she coaches the 13 Adidas and the 16 National teams.
GLORIANA VILLARREAL – PROVIDENCE ALUMNI AWARDDr. Gloriana Villarreal, who was on the team from 2012-2015, received the Providence Alumni Award. At OLLU, she earned the 2013 All-Conference First Team, 2015 All-Conference First Team, NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2014 and 2015 and Conference Scholar-Athlete in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 awards. Villarreal received her degree in 2016, and after pharmacy school at UIW, she is now a Doctor of Pharmacy in her hometown of Brownsville, Texas.

ALYSHA BLANCO – PROVIDENCE ALUMNI AWARD

Alysha Blanco also received the Providence Alumni Award. Unfortunately, Blanco was not able to make the event. Blanco played on the Saints team from 2012-2015. She was the first volleyball player at OLLU to earn NAIA All-American honors. She also was named to the AVCA All-South-Central Region Team in 2014 and 2015. In 2013, she was named to the All-Conference Second Team, and in 2014 and 2015, the All-Conference First Team. In 2014 and 2015, she was named to the All-Tournament Team. In 2015, she was named Conference Player of the Year, and in 2016, she was named a Conference Scholar-Athlete. Blanco graduated from OLLU in 2016.

The following members of the volleyball team from 2007 through 2021 are listed below:

AlumnaFall Academic Year-Spring Academic Year
Alexia Bustamante2014-2016
Mariza Cardenas2015-2019
Amanda Esparza2018-2021
Natalie Fazio2017-2020
Bailei Hubbard2017-2019
Kalani Ketchens2019-2021
Madison Madrid2007-2008
Alyssa Marquez2018-2021
Norrelle Mitchell2016-2018
Suzette Pena2011-2014
Jessica Ramirez2007-2008
Anyssa Rivera2016-2020
Janelle Solis2013-2016
Raven Swain2013-2017
Anissa Tamez2017-2021
Gloriana Villarreal2012-2015

Women’s basketball Head Coach Jillian Flores Bennett to return to Iowa Western

Women’s basketball Head Coach Jillian Flores Bennett has accepted a head coaching job at Iowa Western College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She will take over the program vacated by Lindsey Vande Hoeff, who announced her retirement on March 7.

Athletic Director Shane Hurley commented, “We are very saddened to see her departure. We set out to hire a head coach with drive, knowledge and integrity, and Coach Bennett gave the women and us on the team that and more. We will begin taking the necessary steps to reorganize and attract a diverse candidate pool to ensure the continuation of success for the women’s basketball program and all of its participants. I wish Coach Jillian well and thank her for her service.”

Bennett left Iowa Western in 2021 as assistant coach to become OLLU’s head coach during the 2021-2022 season. Bennett guided the Saints to a Red River Athletic Conference West Division Championship in her first year with an undefeated 14-0 conference record. The team captured the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and received an automatic bid to the 41st Annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Basketball National Championship opening round. There, the Saints lost to Wayland Baptist University to end their season with a record of 20-11.

Bennett was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. Under Bennett, Keviona Barber was selected to the NAIA All-America team, and she was named Player of the Year. In addition, Barber was named to the First-Team All-Conference along with Natalia Trevino. Honorable Mention selectees were Emiko Hemphill, Cormia Lewis and Makayla White. Alexandra Strawhorn was named to the Champions of Character team.

Bennett said, “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity Our Lady of the Lake gave me this year to be the women’s basketball head coach. OLLU is a very special place and allowed me to grow tremendously as a head coach.

“Athletic Director Shane Hurley has been a great leader, and I want to thank him for his belief in me. I want to acknowledge the leadership shown by the upperclassmen on the team for their grit and desire to win. I also want to thank our assistant coach, Tommy Turgeon, for his efforts this season in helping us succeed. This team is full of very special players and people. I am saddened to leave; however, I am looking forward to being closer to my family while also being able to continue coaching collegiately.

“I want to thank all of the administrators at OLLU, fellow coaches and faculty and staff for their support this season. It truly was an unforgettable season. Together this team and I battled adversity. We found a way to compete at a high level and win the conference championship while also going undefeated in the regular season. There are many memories and relationships I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

“I wore the Saints’ halo with a lot of pride, and I will continue to watch the success of the players and program from afar,”

Painting of former OLLU art professor featured at McNay exhibition

A current exhibition at the McNay Art Museum includes “Star Gazing in Texas,” painted by the late Ida O’Keeffe, once the head of the art department at Our Lady of the Lake College.

O’Keeffe taught several courses, including “Painting” and “History of Art,” while serving as the only full-time art professor at OLL during the 1938-1939 academic year and the summer of 1939. She is the younger sister of Georgia O’Keeffe, the late artist who is considered the “Mother of Modern Americanism.” 

While at OLL in the fall of 1938, O’Keefe painted “Star Gazing in Texas,” a composition that continues through the frame itself. The painting is featured in the McNay exhibition, “Georgia O’Keeffe and American Modernism.” 

The exhibition started in January and continues through May 8. OLLU students, faculty and staff can gain free admission to the McNay and all exhibitions with their OLLU ID.

Ida O’Keeffe left OLL in 1939 and went to Cuba, where she visited family and continued painting.

To learn more about Ida O’Keeffe’s life and works, listen to a virtual talk here: 

https://bit.ly/3v7XbDd

Prayer service for Michael Thompson at 12:30 p.m.

Long-time OLLU Athletics Play-by-Play Announcer Michael Thompson passed away on Saturday.

Thompson has long been a member of the OLLU family. He is an alumnus, graduating with a degree in history in 2011. After graduation, Michael remained active in the OLLU community, working as a video technician in the Communication Arts Program. He spearheaded the creation of OLLU’s live streaming program, making it into a premier broadcasting system. He will always be remembered as the Voice of the Saints.

The OLLU community is invited to a prayer service today at 12:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel.

Funeral arrangements will be shared when they are available.

Dr. Munguía named Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs

Alumna Teresita Munguía (BA 1999), PhD, has accepted the position as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. In this position, she will be working closely with the Division of Academic Affairs to lead innovation and improvement projects across the university.

Dr. Munguia earned a BA in Chemistry and Biology from OLLU and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. She brings many strengths to this position, including her experience as an OLLU alumna, chemistry faculty member, department chair and as the interim AVPAA.

OLLU Giving Days start today

OLLU Giving Days are here! Participate in OLLU Giving Days, which begins today and continues through Friday, and become a member of the 2022 Wings Up Employee Giving Society. Support your favorite OLLU program or cause or support a student running for OLLU Royalty. All gifts are 100 percent tax-deductible.

To learn more about OLLU Giving Days and OLLU Royalty, click here:

https://giving.ollusa.edu/s/888/mc21/home.aspx?sid=888&gid=1&pgid=1867

To learn more about the Wings Up Employee Giving Society, click here: 

https://giving.ollusa.edu/s/888/mc21/interior.aspx?sid=888&gid=1&pgid=1661