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Our Lady of the Lake University Opens Valley’s First Catholic Private College
- Updated: August 30, 2013
(l-r) City Commissioner Lori Weaver, LFISD Board Member Pancho Cobarrubias, La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) President Sister Jane Ann Slater, LFISD Superintendent Rey Villarreal, City Commissioner John Hernandez, LFISD Board Member Gloria Casas, Former LFISD Superintendent Luis Garza, City Commissioner Victor Gonzalez, Interim Superintendent Robert Rivera, Former Superintendent Dr. Nabor Cortez, and LFISD Board Member Allen Moore cut the ribbon officially opening the new OLLU campus in La Feria. Photo: Cayetano Garza Jr.
Hundreds of Valley residents and visitors converged on the former campus of Sam Houston Elementary in La Feria on Sunday, August 18th, to take part in the grand opening of Our Lady of the Lake’s new Rio Grande Valley campus.
“We thank La Feria ISD and the city of La Feria,” said Slater. “The Rio Grande Valley is a vital region for the future of Texas. We believe its citizens deserve quality options when it comes to higher education. With OLLU now in a central location, we are positioned to complement the recently announced merger of University of Texas campuses. The winners here will be Valley students and their families for generations to come.”
Four years ago, OLLU became the first Catholic University to offer a doctoral program to citizens of the Rio Grande Valley. First located in Harlingen, this program provided students with executive-level preparation in professional management, leadership and ethics. OLLU students represent a cross section of the Valley’s professions from education and healthcare to business and nonprofit organizations. In OLLU’s new location in La Feria, the University will continue offering a doctoral degree in Leadership Studies, Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, Master of Business Administration in Management, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Computer Information Systems and Security.
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) President Sister Jane Ann Slater addresses attendees at the Grand Opening of the new campus in La Feria.
OLLU’s new site in La Feria was made possible through a partnership with La Feria Independent School District, in conjunction with the City of La Feria, and provides OLLU with a stand-alone facility as a permanent site. The programs are offered through OLLU’s Weekend College program, and classes meet eight times per term, every other Saturday. The weekend format allows for a balance of work, study and family time.
During her address on Sunday, President Slater likened the circumstances surrounding the opening of the new school to the “providence” that lead to the University’s origins.
Our Lady of the Lake University was founded in 1895 by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, a religious order begun in 18th century Lorraine, France, by Blessed John Martin Moye. The order continues as the sponsoring organization of the University.
Members of the Congregation arrived in Texas in 1866, where they initially established themselves in Austin, and then in Castroville in 1868.
Retired Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña, Fifth Bishop of Brownsville and Vicar-General for the Diocese Father Abrigo give the blessing and prayer at the Grand Opening reception. Photo: Cayetano Garza Jr.
In 1895, construction began on Main Building on what was to become the Our Lady of the Lake campus. By 1896, high school level educational programs were under way. The first college program began in 1911, as a two-year curriculum for women. In 1919, the curriculum was expanded to four years and the institution was admitted to membership in the Texas Association of Colleges. Graduate study began in 1942 and was coeducational from its inception; all programs became fully coeducational in 1969.
“It was divine providence that lead us to this moment,” Slater said. Opportunities seemed to “fall into place” as planning moved along over the past few years.
“We always knew that our location in Harlingen was a temporary one as we planned to expand program offerings and sought a permanent home in the Valley. That dream became a reality when the La Feria school district, inconjunction with the City of La Feria, invited OLLU to move to a stand alone facility as a permanent site”, added Slater.
The bachelor’s degree completion program in La Feria is now available at a new reduced tuition rate of $290 per credit hour ($870 per class). All programs will immediately be offered for fall 2013 classes.
