Tag Archives: spring commencement

Forty four student-athletes receive diplomas at spring commencement

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OLLU celebrated the spring graduating student-athlete class of 2023 on May 11 at Freeman Coliseum. There were 44 student-athletes who graduated from OLLU.

Athletic Director Shane Hurley commented, “We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes as they prepare to launch their careers. Here at OLLU, the student always comes first in student-athlete, and it is our hope to see them prosper and succeed. We look forward to connecting future student-athletes with our alumni at OLLU for years to come.”

De’Jon Lewis from track and field performed the National Anthem at commencement ceremonies. OLLU President Abel A. Chávez welcomed those in attendance and introduced the commencement speaker, Lorena “Lorraine” Pulido, PhD. Tamaj Gordon  graduated with a dual degree, while Joseph Baker, Caio Ravagnani and Murilo Salviato graduated with a double major. In addition, several student-athletes received their postgraduate degrees, including Diego Garcia Hernandez, Jacob Montejano, Jose Ramirez III and Caitlin Terrazas. 

Spring commencement brings focus to mother, daughter graduates

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Alissa Meyer, 50, and her daughter, Elizabeth Meyer, 25, graduated from OLLU on Thursday with Master of Social Work degrees and matching 4.0 grade point averages.

The diplomas mark the fifth time mother and daughter earn degrees together and the third time they graduate together. They previously earned Bachelor of Social Work degrees from Mary Hardin-Baylor and three Associate’s Degrees (General Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies and Social Science) from Central Texas College.

The Meyers were among 319 OLLU students who received their diplomas at Freeman Coliseum during spring commencement exercises. Alumna and VIA Metropolitan Transit communications manager Lorena “Lorraine” Pulido (PhD 2010) delivered the commencement address. 

Mother and daughter work at Walgreens as pharmacy technicians and live on campus together at the Slater Apartments. They will take a one-year break after spring commencement and plan to return to OLLU in fall 2024 and pursue the PhD in Leadership Studies.

“She’s my best friend,” daughter Elizabeth said. “All our classmates call her ‘mom.’”

“It’s an amazing feeling for me,” said Alissa. “It’s a super proud mom moment to be able to do that. Not a lot of people can say they graduated with their child or children.”

In The News

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Recent media coverage that brought attention to OLLU: 

On May 14, a story in the Dunya News about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer graduating as mother and daughter from OLLU:

https://dunyanews.tv/en/WeirdNews/723453-Mom-daughter-persevere-hardship-to-graduate-college-together

On May 13, a story on BOL News about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer graduating from OLLU:

https://www.bolnews.com/2023/05/13/viral-world/read-viral-mom-daughter-overcome-adversity-to-graduate-college-together/index.html

On May 12, a video on KENS-5 about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer graduating from OLLU:

https://www.kens5.com/video/news/local/mother-daughter-both-graduate-from-our-lady-of-the-lake-university/273-28ab5aff-3367-4862-8fa4-aad9f3b0c2e2

On May 12, a story on UPI.com about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer graduating from OLLU:

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2023/05/12/meyer-mother-daughter-graduates/5921683908427/

On May 11, a story on CBS Austin about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer (mother and daughter), graduating from OLLU: 

https://bit.ly/3pAZb6k

On May 11, a story on News Channel 6 in Wichita Falls about Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer graduating from OLLU: 

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/05/12/mother-daughter-graduating-college-together-with-40-gpas/

On May 11, a story on News4SanAntonio.com about two MSW graduates — mother and daughter Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer – who earned their fifth degree together:

https://bit.ly/3MltzdH

On May 11, a story in the San Antonio Express-News about families graduating together, including Alissa and Elizabeth Meyer:

https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/san-antonio-area-families-set-receive-college-18093950.php

On May 11, a story in the San Antonio Business Journal about Valero CEO and OLLU alumnus Joe Gorder:

https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2023/05/11/joseph-w-gorder-valero-energy-corp-ceo-chair.html

On May 11, a story on 406 MT Sports about Dawson Community College guard Hailee Brandon signing a letter-of-intent to play basketball with OLLU:  

https://406mtsports.com/college/community/former-big-timber-dawson-cc-guard-hailee-brandon-signs-with-texas-naia-program/article_578a6ed4-f028-11ed-8252-0bea2ea73810.html

On May 9, a story in the San Antonio Business Journal about the retirement of CEO and OLLU alumnus Joe Gorder:

https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2023/05/09/valero-ceo-joseph-w-gorder-retiring.html

Alumna, VIA communications manager to deliver commencement address

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VIA Metropolitan Transit communications manager Lorena “Lorraine” Pulido (PhD 2010) will deliver the address at spring commencement on Thursday at Freeman Coliseum.

Dr. Pulido is a distinguished public relations professional who has won 21 awards from the San Antonio chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2006, PRSA-SA named her Public Relations Professional of the Year.

She is the former public relations manager for the City of San Antonio’s Department of Communications and Affairs, and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Dr. Pulido has taught marketing, journalism and public relations classes at several local universities for 23 years, including OLLU. 

Presently, she is an Alamo Colleges District 4 Trustee, elected in 2020. Dr. Pulido has a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Journalism from Columbia University. 

Dr. Pulido was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2023 and the Harlandale Independent School District Hall of Fame in 2021. 

Commencement exercises for 319 spring graduates begins at 5 p.m. at the coliseum. The ceremonies will be live streamed.

A Veteran’s graduation ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. in Chapel Auditorium. The traditional Ring Blessing Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel. An Alumni Meet and Greet for students and their guests will be held in the Mall Area at 10:30 a.m. A Graduation Liturgy begins at noon in Sacred Heart Chapel. For more details on commencement, please visit the Graduation page on the website.

Spring commencement to include first cohort of doctoral students in Social Work 

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The first cohort of students in the Doctor of Philosophy-Social Work program is set to graduate on Friday at 5 p.m. at Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston Street.

These eight students – from throughout the country – will be among more than 350 who are scheduled to receive their diplomas during spring commencement.

The ceremonies will be live-streamed. The link will be available here on the day of commencement. 

Doors to the Freeman Coliseum open at 3 p.m. All family, friends and guests are required to use the main front entrance of the Freeman Coliseum and will not be allowed through the rear ramp entrance. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the Freeman Coliseum by 4:30 p.m. 

General public parking will be $10 at the gate. Discounted pre-sale parking permits for West Gate Entrance – Lot 9 – will be available for purchase on campus for $3.50 each. Parking questions should be directed to Melissa Franco, Office of Student Affairs. Visit Moye Hall 103, call 210-431-3954 or email studentaffairs@ollusa.edu.

To view a complete list of graduation events, click here. To see a full list of spring graduates, click here.

At this time, OLLU does not have a mask mandate for graduation events. Be aware that this policy may be revised due to changes in conditions in the community.

Volunteers needed for May 6 graduation

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Graduation is in less than one week, and help is needed to make it a special experience for students and guests.

Volunteers are needed at OLLU on May 6:

  • to welcome families and provide directional assistance from 8:30-10:45 a.m.
  • to provide meet and greet assistance for alumni and families from 10-11:30 a.m.
  • to welcome families and provide directional assistance from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers are also needed at Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St., on May 6:

  • to provide registrar assistance from 1:30-6 p.m.
  • to provide regalia assistance from 3-6 p.m.
  • to assist with program placement in seating area from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
  • to help Graduation Marshals from 3:30-7 p.m.
  • to serve as Procession Ushers from 3:30-7 p.m.
  • to carry large banner in graduation procession from 4-7 p.m.
  • to help with stage assistance from 4-7 p.m.
  • to assist with the confetti team from 5-7 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for commencement events:

  • Veterans graduation ceremony at 9 a.m.
  • Ring Blessing Ceremony at Sacred Heart Chapel at 10 a.m.
  • Alumni and family meet and greet in the Mall Area at 10:30 a.m.
  • Graduation liturgy line-up at 11:30 a.m.
  • Graduation liturgy in Sacred Heart Chapel at 12 p.m.

To sign up, click here.

Volunteers needed for May 6 graduation

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Graduation is around the corner and help is needed to make it a special experience for students and guests.

Volunteers are needed at OLLU on May 6:

  • to welcome families and provide directional assistance from 8:30-10:45 a.m.
  • to provide meet-and-greet assistance for alumni and families from 10-11:30 a.m.
  • to welcome families and provide directional assistance from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed at Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St., on May 6:

  • to provide registrar assistance from 1:30-6 p.m.
  • to provide regalia assistance from 3-6 p.m.
  • to assist with program placement in seating area from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
  • to help graduation marshals from 3:30-7 p.m.
  • to serve as procession ushers from 3:30-7 p.m.
  • to carry large banner in graduation procession from 4-7 p.m.
  • to help with stage assistance from 4-7 p.m.
  • to assist with the confetti team from 5-7 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for commencement events:

  • Veterans graduation ceremony at 9 a.m.
  • Ring Blessing Ceremony at Sacred Heart Chapel at 10 a.m.
  • Alumni and family meet and greet in the Mall Area at 10:30 a.m.
  • Graduation liturgy line-up at 11:30 a.m.
  • Graduation liturgy in Sacred Heart Chapel at 12 p.m.

To sign up, click here.

2021 Spring commencement video

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The new video from spring commencement is available for viewing on YouTube. A little more than three minutes long, the video contains moving images from the drive-up degree conferral in front of Main Building, magnificent drone footage of the parade of vehicles, winding through campus and lots of wonderful blue-and-white OLLU pride!   

Roy Terracina to receive Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

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For his many years of distinguished service to OLLU, Board Chair Emeritus Roy Terracina will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday.

Since joining the Board of Trustees in 2006, Terracina has helped strengthen and position the university for innovation and growth. His strong advocacy for online education and a return to intercollegiate athletics have yielded remarkable results.

Together, online learners and student-athletes represent 44.7 percent of OLLU’s enrollment.

“Roy has been a strong and instrumental leader in the growth of the university,” said President Diane Melby, EdD. “We are grateful for his service and proud to give him this Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.”

An accomplished businessman, Terracina has served as President of Sterling Foods, Vice Chairman of U.S. Global Investors and CEO of Sunshine Ventures. He recently became CEO of Sonar Co., which offers technology solutions based on sound.

Growing up in an impoverished neighborhood in Chicago, Terracina struggled in high school. He excelled in boxing but didn’t like to study, graduating 254th in a class of 269 students. Motivated by peers whom he admired, Terracina became a first generation college student and earned two degrees from Marquette University.    

He has used his personal and business experiences to mentor OLLU students. Through his guidance, many have secured internships and jobs.

Inspiring students is one highlight of Terracina’s OLLU tenure. A second is receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

“It feels wonderful,” he said. “Coming from my neighborhood and being the first in my family to finish high school, much less college, this is beyond my wildest dreams.”