The Word: UIW Community Newsletter - March 26, 2021

Some weeks are filled with so much good news, we can't pick just one Spotlight story. Incarnate Word Week 2021 was one such week. In this edition of The Word: UIW Community Newsletter, we're bringing you photos, videos and good news about the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine's Match Day celebration, a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding signing between UIW and Our Lady of the Lake University, Incarnate Word Day CCVI Spirit Award recipients and an update on our 3rd Annual Day of Giving!

More than 150 years ago, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word made the grueling journey to Texas to care for the sick during a devastating cholera epidemic.

This year, the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine's inaugural class prepares to carry on their legacy, entering their residency programs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the example of our founders guiding them, the inaugural UIWSOM class is ready to share their gifts and the Mission with patients all across the country. We are incredibly proud of each of these future physicians. 

Join us in congratulating them and celebrating their recent residency matches! 

Click through the gallery below.

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The University of the Incarnate Word and Our Lady of The Lake University (OLLU) have entered into a series of memorandums of understanding (MOU) that will allow for students at each institution to have the opportunity to further their educations by attending the other in the areas of health professions and graduate studies.

Under the memorandums of understanding and as part of the UIW Health Professions Pathway, UIW will reserve 10 interview slots for qualified students from OLLU to have an opportunity to attend the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine, the Feik School of Pharmacy and the Rosenberg School of Optometry. In addition, UIW will reserve 10 spots in the School of Physical Therapy for qualified students from OLLU.

Mutually, OLLU will reserve 10 interview spots for qualified students from UIW in graduate-level programs in the areas of Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Counseling, School Psychology and Social Work.

“This series of agreements reflects a shared commitment to developing creative partnerships, which emphasize the academic strengths and programs of each of our institutions to mutually advance higher education opportunities for traditionally underserved populations,” says Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW president. “In the past year, we have learned first-hand that our frontline healthcare workers have been critical in the battle against this pandemic. More people are answering the call to serve their communities as healthcare providers in this ongoing struggle now and in the years to come. We welcome OLLU students to the University of the Incarnate Word’s health professional schools and are excited to help guide them on their journeys to serve our communities as knowledgeable and compassionate doctors, optometrists, physical therapists and pharmacists. In addition, UIW students will benefit from gaining access to these nationally recognized psychology and social work master’s degree programs available at OLLU and, as a result, become better caretakers of the mental health and well-being of their patients.”

“With a combined history of more than 250 years, UIW and OLLU exemplify all the good that Catholic higher education can bring to a community on the local, state and national level. We look forward to a lasting relationship with Our Lady of the Lake University,” added Dr. Evans.

“A mental health crisis is the silent pandemic impacting our communities that will stay with us long after the COVID vaccines are distributed. Counselors, psychologists, therapists and social workers will be essential to help people deal with the depression, anxiety and other challenges brought on by the pandemic,” said OLLU President Diane E. Melby, EdD. “This partnership will provide a pathway for UIW students into OLLU’s nationally recognized mental health and social work programs and will help grow the number of vital mental health providers and social workers in our communities.

“Likewise, OLLU students will benefit from a pathway into the UIW healthcare programs thus helping to meet the demand for essential healthcare professionals. Finally, we are excited to offer UIW students the opportunity to enter OLLU’s Woolfolk School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and grow the number of professionals in the speech pathology field,” Dr. Melby added.

UIW, founded in 1881, and OLLU, founded in 1895, share a long history as Catholic institutions working to serve the community and inspire the next generation of civic-minded leaders.

Annually, during Incarnate Word Day, the University recognizes a member of the UIW faculty, administration or staff who has demonstrated service to the University or broader community in the spirit of our founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate with the CCVI Spirit Award. While last year’s pandemic prevented an in-person celebration, this year’s ceremony honored both the 2021 and 2020 CCVI Spirit Award recipients

The ceremony began with special guest speaker Dr. Timothy O’Malley, director of Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life, who spoke of Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti and the three themes of the encyclical that reflect on Catholic higher education.

Then, Dr. Kevin Vichcales, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, and 2018 CCVI Spirit Award winner, presented the awards – the first going to 2020 Spirit Award winner, Dr. Raúl Zendejas, director of First-Year Engagement. Dr. Vichcales shared that Dr. Zendejas was nominated for the award by faculty and staff who noted that his heart is dedicated to the well-being and success of UIW’s student body and that in everything he does, he aligns his work and life with our core values of education truth, faith, service and innovation.

Through constant communication with students, parents, and faculty and administrative offices, Dr. Zendejas works hard to understand the obstacles students face and develop solutions. In mentoring first-year students, he encourages resilience and helps them understand that education is an active learning process. Dr. Zendejas was also honored for his character, manner of work, selfless acts on behalf of others, promotion of human dignity, and embodiment of the Spirit of the Incarnate Word.

“I think there are so many other people who deserve it more than I do. I am very humbled that I was even nominated, and very grateful,” he said. “I think I have one of the best jobs at Incarnate Word because I see students come in, unsure of what they want to do. Then I see them get ready to graduate, they are mature [and have grown]. It is so, so nice to see.”

This year’s CCVI Spirit Award went to Michelle R. Rodriguez, administrative assistant to the Provost. Just before presenting the award, Dr. Vichcales shared that Mrs. Rodriguez was nominated by the academic deans and other staff members because she exhibits the core values of the University and is particularly exemplary in the areas of truth, service and innovation in her current role and in her prior role as administrative assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

She has worked tirelessly to support the deans gain a better understanding of the intricacies of university academic budget processes and operations, which has been invaluable to their work in leading their college or schools. Dr. Vichcales shared that other nominations highlighted that she helps all that need assistance, and treats everyone with the same abundant cheerfulness, and willingness to help. She was also recognized for her character, manner of work, selfless acts on behalf of others, promotion of human dignity, and embodiment of the Spirit of the Incarnate Word, which she manifests daily.

“To hear someone say that and recognize that – I didn’t think I impacted people that much, I didn’t think I impacted the University that much,” she said. “You never set out for anything like [the award], you go to work to work. So, it was very nice to know.

UIW congratulates Michelle Rodriguez and Dr. Raúl Zendejas on this achievement and thanks them for their sincere dedication to the Mission of the University.

UIW held it's 3rd Annual Day of Giving on March 25 and 26, 2021, and the UIW family showed up in a big way! The annual giving day, called "One Word, One Goal," is an 1881-minute push in honor of the University's founding year, to raise money for student scholarships and programs. Originally scheduled for February 25 and 26, the Day of Giving was delayed due to the historic winter storm last month. The new date fell on Incarnate Word Day, an annual celebration of the University's Mission and legacy. 

Each year, Day of Giving goals have increased, and the UIW community has risen to the challenge. This year was no exception. Setting out with a goal of $50,000 raised by 500 unique donors, "One Word, One Goal" kicked off with a head start of 188 early gifts. More than 300 gifts were made on March 25. By the end of the campaign, 546 unique donors had made 642 gifts, raising just shy of $70,000. 

Thank you to each member of the UIW family who made a gift or shared our message. Because of you, our Cardinals will go further.

We are One Word: Thankful. 

If you would still like to make gift, please visit give.uiw.edu and join us! Employees who make a gift will also be contributing to the University's Employee Campaign goal! 

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The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that graduating students at the Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) tied for the number one passing rate in the State of Texas in the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). The 96.2% pass rate this year is the second highest in the history of the school and ranked the school number 12 in the nation for 2020. This is out of 140 schools ranked by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

“I am very proud of the Class of 2020 and the faculty and staff of the Feik School of Pharmacy in achieving the best passing rate on the pharmacy licensure exam in the state of Texas and 12th in the nation,” says Dr. David Maize, dean of the Feik School of Pharmacy. “More amazingly, this was done during the COVID pandemic when testing centers had to go to 50% capacity adding to the stress of the graduates taking their licensure exam.”

The Feik School of Pharmacy was founded in 2004 in recognition of the need to graduate a new generation of highly trained culturally-competent, caring pharmacists and patient advocates to serve communities across Texas and beyond, with a special emphasis on underserved populations. In addition to this honor, FSOP has also been recognized among the best pharmacy schools in the nation by GradReport.com and was one of only three schools in the nation to receive the 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine

David Campos, professor of Education, has co-authored a new book titled, Lonely Kids in a Connected World, with Kathleen McConnell Fad. The book offers a comprehensive look at childhood loneliness and provides classroom teachers and specialized school professionals a toolkit of research-based intervention strategies.  

“This book was inspired shortly after a conversation we had on adult loneliness. We began hypothesizing about its roots in childhood, and discussed our experiences as public-school teachers, witnessing the repercussions of loneliness first-hand in some of our students,” Dr. Campos explained. “Recalling those students in our classes who seemed lonely, we noticed that they also struggled with academic and social-emotional functioning. As a result of these observations, we shifted our focus to childhood loneliness and created a resource that can be used with students who show signs of loneliness.”  

With the understanding that early intervention can help prevent more serious problems from developing, readers can learn how to help students make meaningful connections with their peers, improve their social competencies, and engage in productive thought patterns that positively impact their behavior. 

“I also like to think that our work in this book aligns with the Catholic Social Teaching focused on our duty to meet the needs of those who are struggling in modern society (i.e., the needs of the vulnerable must come first).” Dr. Campos offered, “Given the context of children in schools nationwide, I hope that the strategies we have created (within three domains of intervention) can help teachers better serve their students who might be struggling with loneliness and need comfort, guidance, and support.”  

Dr. Campos earned his PhD from UT Austin. At UIW, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in instructional design and delivery and special education. His publications focus on LGBTQ youth, childhood wellness, the schooling of Latino students, English language learners, among other relevant topics in education.

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Students interested in Management Information Systems (MIS) are benefiting from a new effort to bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and the work they do in the field.  Spanning this gap is the newly formed MIS Student Forum – a place for students and faculty to connect based up on a shared interest in the MIS field. Members from programs like MIS, accounting, computer information systems (CIS) and engineering share information on certifications, internships, training and professional organizations. 

"MIS is part of everything," said Dr. Ron Washington, MIS program coordinator. "CIS students who want to understand the managerial side of technology, they minor with us. MIS students who want to know more about a specific area in CIS will minor in CIS." 

Part of this effort is an alumni interview project conducted by MIS and accounting students, who then share the content to the MIS Student Forum. Safietou Dorsey, a junior MIS major, is one of the current students interviewing alumni about their experiences in the field.  "We're trying to get a better understanding of how to help students navigate entering this field. I think a lot of times as college students, especially the younger we are, there's a little more difficulty in choosing our fields, and there's a lot of uncertainty," Dorsey said. "I hope this project eases some of the stress students feel when entering college and choosing a degree path." 

The insight provided by alumni goes beyond what life is like in the workforce and digs deeper into how students can prepare themselves professionally now. Alaina Dickson, a sophomore double majoring in accounting and MIS, recently spoke with an alumna who shared how connections made at UIW helped her secure a job. 

"She got a job at Thomas J. Henry, the law firm. It just kind of proves that with an MIS degree, you can do anything," said Dickson, who plans to enter the accounting field after graduation. "As an accounting major, having the MIS degree along with that is really helpful in job hunting." 

Alumni interviews like the ones conducted by Dorsey and Dickson provide a valuable opportunity for students to ask questions, as well as form professional relationships and mentorships. "MIS has a place for everything. One of the most important parts of what we're doing is giving students a kind of push that says, ‘You met this person through us, so now if you'd like to reach out to them, you can,” Dorsey said. 

Providing opportunities for students to take the next step on their career path is the purpose of the MIS Student Forum. Another goal of the forum is to provide a clear understanding of the possibilities found within the MIS field. A common misconception held by students about MIS is that they have to become a computer programmer. That's not what the field is, according to Dr. Washington. Instead, an MIS professional's role is primarily as a facilitator between business and operations, combining project management, systems analysis and data science skills to direct the development of systems tools. 

"We're not asking you to build a network. We're asking you to understand capacity on a network, we're asking you to understand storage on a network and then be able to go out and communicate that language to other people," Dr. Washington said. "Our role is to help management make better business decisions through our understanding of the role information systems play in organizational decision making." 

With such a broad application, professionals with training in MIS can pursue a number of career opportunities, such as database administration, systems analysis, IT specialization, accounting, management and more. 

"It was intriguing that it was an opportunity where you can learn business and you can learn a lot of the basics of technology. It really does touch everything. I felt kind of relieved in that, with MIS, I wasn't stuck in one thing. This is something I can apply to whatever I want to do," said Dorsey, who wants to pair MIS with her other interests in law and even film. 

The MIS Student Forum can be accessed through Microsoft Teams and is available to UIW students and faculty interested in the field. Contact Dr. Washington at rwashing@uiwtx.edu for more information about the forum. 

A native of the Texas panhandle, Sr. Teresa Grabber's early experiences with the Sisters led her to the College where she earned her B.A. in Mathematics degree in 1958. She did not stop there, and further graduate study gave her incredible flexibility. At that time she was known as Sr. Mary Edward and she taught English, German, Mathematics, and Linguistics.

A multi-tasker par excellence, she served on numerous faculty committees, worked in several offices, and conducted a summer study tour to Germany. Her energy reserves were inclusive of physical labor and helping students with academic problems, not to mention singing with the Sisters’ Choir. In retirement she is equally active working in finance, liturgy, and cantoring at Masses. Her batteries never seem to need recharging and she has a wonderful memory of former students, and the feeling is mutual.

This is our heritage. Making a difference.

Palm Sunday ushers in the many rituals and customs of Holy Week that call to mind the events of the last week of Jesus’ life that fulfilled his ministry. Each Sunday of Lent has revealed different images of Jesus. We have seen him tempted in the desert, transfigured on a lofty mountain, reconciling divided peoples at a well, healing the blind at a sacred pool, and, finally, weeping before raising a friend from death.

In the Passion narratives, these stories are recapitulated. In the Passion, Jesus is confronted by the fear of death, stripped of dignity in a shameful form of capital punishment, rejected by a divided and blind society, abandoned by his friends, and sealed away in the darkness of a tomb. Like the crosses we see in university classrooms, the events of Holy Week and Easter are Jesus’ final message; an exclamation point that concludes and defines the gospel story.

In reading the Passion’s unfolding we see and understand Jesus as the Incarnate Word. As St. Paul declares in the second reading, Jesus is “in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6), the image or icon of God (as Paul and his followers say elsewhere: 2 Cor. 4:4, Col. 1:15). Yet for our sakes, Jesus emptied himself and became a servant (Phil. 2:7-8), stooping down to enter into solidarity with the poor and the weak of the world (2 Cor. 8:9). Jesus’ life of service to the point of death embodies and reveals the self-giving nature of the invisible God. Christ’s life and death provide a model for believers to meditate upon and follow. Jesus’ entire life was an act of self-offering, not to appease an angry God or an unjust economic system, but to renew the way people relate to each other and the world itself.

Similar to other gospel writers, Matthew’s Passion narrative offers unique details that intersect with our lives, challenges us to examine ourselves, and calls us to hope in times of despair. In Matthew, Pilate washes his hands, cowardly refusing to take any responsibility for the actions directly under his power. Matthew frequently alludes to scriptural fulfillments, perhaps reassuring the reader that the divine plan prevails even in chaos.

The signs that accompany Jesus’ suffering and death—darkness over the earth, the temple’s torn veil, and an earthquake—evoke the images of the mourning and destruction of nature and holy places. Yet at Jesus’ death, tombs are opened, and the dead are raised; there is a glimmer of life and hope. The signs at his death foreshadow the apocalyptic unveiling of hope and truth on Easter Sunday.

Mary Magdalene is also a sign of hope during Jesus’ death. She was among the few apostles to accompany Jesus through the end and after his burial she sits quietly by the tomb. Many in the world today join her in sitting by the tomb. Though the official liturgies of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum may not occur in public this year, they will be celebrated at home with popular religious traditions. And the stories of the passion are reenacted in daily life. Parents, loved ones, and medical professionals heed the call to follow the example of Jesus in the work of justice and healing, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.

Like Mary Magdalene, many will accompany others through death and burial.

We know that on the third day, Mary Magdalene will see the stone rolled away and the risen Jesus at the empty tomb. The biblical symbol of three days often represents a period of preparation for a journey or important event. It is a finite period of time, yet it may feel like an unbearable wait. Contemplating and acting upon events of the last week of Jesus’ life grounds the founding mission of the university. The suffering of the Word Incarnate reveals the suffering of the world, and the resurrection is a foreshadowing of the restoration and renewal of all creation (Rom. 8:19-25).

Liturgy

We are now livestreaming Sunday Mass from Our Lady’s Chapel and invite your participation in one of the following formats:

• IN-PERSON attendance:  Students and UIW Community wishing to attend Mass in-person are asked to register for a seat using our new Flocknote app as well as abide by all safety guidelines put in place for the pandemic, including the health screening via Cardinal Health Check and wearing a mask during the liturgy. Seating is extremely limited due to protocols put in place due to the pandemic.
  • Palm Sunday
  • Easter Sunday
• VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE: Those wishing to attend Mass virtually should continue registering through Zoom. The links to RSVP for the livestream Masses are:
  • Palm Sunday Zoom
  • Easter Sunday Zoom

Our livestream Mass is a hybrid broadcast bringing both our in-person assembly in Our Lady’s Chapel and online assembly together. Both groups are able to see and hear one another. We hope to see you!

Pray-a-Thon

In the spring of 2009, a UIW student created the first 24-hour Pray-a-thon as a way to more fully immerse the UIW campus into deeper prayer in anticipation of Easter. What began as 24 hours of prayer has evolved into a week-long Pray-a-thon filled with opportunities to experience prayer in different forms, expressions and traditions.

Today, Pray-a-thon is celebrated annually as a week-long celebration – Sunday to Sunday – in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, otherwise known as Incarnate Word Day. This year it is being held from March 21 - 28.

While we find ourselves still in the midst of the global pandemic that started a year ago, we draw on the hope and strength of the Mission and heritage of our University. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, through their dedication to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, have demonstrated for us perseverance, faith, and hope in the midst of worldly challenges.

We invite you next week to take intentional time for yourself and your community to participate the prayer opportunities that are already taking place on your individual campuses, as well any of the additional remaining events in celebration of this special week.

See remaining Pray-a-thon events

The UIW Department of Music and Music Ministry was invited to prepare a virtual concert as a part of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians’ (NPM) Virtual Concert Series. Recorded right before and during COVID-19 imposed isolation, when group music-making became something we longed to experience again, these pieces speak of our longing for peace, hope, and unity, our need for God’s Spirit, and our sorrow for those we’ve lost. It is music that lifts, heals, and consoles.

Rosenberg School of Optometry (UIWRSO) Patient Care Coordinator, Matthew L. Kruse, was named the 2021 Texas Optometric Association Optometric Staff Member of the Year.

In his position, Mr. Kruse is responsible for the management of over 28,000 patient appointments in three geographically-separated clinics (UIW Eye Institute, Bowden Eye and Health Center, and the CommuniCare West UIW Eye Clinic) in San Antonio. Mr. Kruse controls, supervises, and manages the entire UIWRSO clinic equipment inventory for 110 examination, treatment, and special testing rooms in those three locations. He is responsible for procuring and supplying personal protective equipment, supplies, medications, and other required items for both clinical and academic use. Assistant Dean for Clinics Dr. James Chapman said, “It is absolutely clear: The UIWRSO clinics would not have been able to reactivate following the COVID-mandated closures in Texas and Bexar County without the leadership, dedication, planning, and brilliant execution of regular and new duties by Mr. Matthew Kruse. Not only did Mr. Kruse ensure quick, efficient, and rapid reactivation of all clinics, he did it in manner that quickly expanded care to full capacity and scope of services.” 

Since Clinic reactivation on May 26, 2020, there have been zero cases of COVID-19 transmission or infections among UIWRSO employees and students in the clinical locations. 

Under non-COVID conditions, Mr. Kruse also schedules and manages exam days for Northside Independent School District and Southwest Independent School District where over 800 low-income, underserved children annually receive free comprehensive eye examinations and spectacles. He provides logistical support to all UIWRSO humanitarian missions to Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Rio Grande Valley and to the UIWRSO vision screening program conducted at various schools within Bexar County 

“It feels like we are meeting the Mission. We are doing exactly what we say we are going to do. It is really important work, and I’m thankful to be part of it.”

On Monday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 23, Dr. Russell Attridge, sr. associate dean of Academic Affairs and associate professor at the Feik School of Pharmacy, was one of many UIW medical personnel administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to more than one thousand members of the UIW community. In the first hour of day two alone, members of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions, the Feik School of Pharmacy, the School of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Services completed the vaccination process, which began on March 1-2, for 1,200 individuals.

Being able to give back to the UIW community was a rewarding experience for those who served. DeZion Hartman, a level five nursing student, felt fulfilled in being able to take care of the community.

“Throughout school, we talk a lot about community health,” said Hartman. “I think UIW is a pillar in the community, so being able to distribute vaccines for this area and being there for the community, representing God through being able to really fulfill the Mission of UIW, has been great.”

Those receiving the vaccine were not surprised that the University was taking care of the community through a free vaccine clinic. After all, service has always been a key component of the University’s Mission.

“I am not surprised, because this is a University that is dedicated to service,” said Moisés J. Torrescano, director of auxiliary academic services. “As long as I have worked here, that is what we do best. Human services.”

Hosting a vaccine clinic of this size was a monumental task, one that Dr. Nile Barnes, Feik School of Pharmacy assistant professor and chair of the Interprofessional Initiatives Committee, and Dr. Ronda Gottlieb, director of clinical health in UIW’s Health Services, agree would not have been possible without all four medical areas working together as One Word.

“We all contribute something different,” said Barnes. “We have a lot of overlap for a vaccine clinic, but we also have our own areas where we are a little bit better. By focusing on those strengths and supporting each other, we are better able to meet the needs of the community in this way.”

“We found that each profession and each individual offers some unique experiences and expertise, and when we come together, we make this wonderful, elaborate team and we are really able to focus on taking care of the UIW community and the community as a whole,” added Gottlieb. “It has been very exciting and a great learning experience.”

The UIW Fashion Management Department sponsored the Annual Red Dress Fashion Show in conjunction with Rolling Oaks Mall on Saturday, Feb. 27. Students from UIW and eight local high schools strutted down the runway and modeled their custom-made garments in honor of American Heart Month.  February is celebrated as American Heart Month by the American Heart Association to bring awareness of the dangers of heart disease in women.

Music was provided compliments of the Communication Arts Department by DJ Marisa Allen, emcee Jacobo Martinez and UIWtv reporter Sofia Martinez. 

We would like to congratulate the three winners of tuition scholarships in the UIW Fashion Management Department: 

• 3rd place for $1,000: Miguel Angel Palma, Sophomore
• 2nd place for $1,500: Allison Mills, Freshman
• 1st place for $2,000: Jenna Franco, Freshman 

" With the Incarnate Word offense spaced into three groups across the field at Benson Stadium, freshman quarterback Cameron Ward had a unit to himself.

The Cardinals’ season had been pushed to the spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of UIW’s precautions through fall practices was splitting the offense and defense into separate sessions. Even as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, Ward’s group had the time and space to take equal snaps to the starters during those two or three months of workouts.

Coach Eric Morris admits Ward’s play was “not pretty, at first.” But by the time UIW held scrimmages ahead of a matchup against Arkansas State on Dec. 12, Ward was outshining returning starter Jon Copeland, who needed just two years to challenge or surpass most of the program’s passing records."

Read the full story

Stop by to shop, volunteer, or donate! Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow us on Instagram at @uiw_ccfoodpantry or opt-in to receive updates on the official UIW app.  

For more information regarding making a donation or service learning opportunities for faculty or student organization collaborations, please contact the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership & Sustainability at  ccl@uiwtx.edu or call (210) 283-6423.

UIW students from the School of Media and Design recently competed in prestigious design competitions and represented the University well! 
Flux Design Competition 2021

Flux is a national student design competition hosted by AIGA Blue Ridge, a professional association for design. This competition was established in 2007 and celebrates undergraduate and graduate work across the United States. A list of students who received an award for their submission are listed below: 

• MarcAnthony Bermudez 
  Category: Identity 
  Project: Syner Powerful Bee Products 
• Ian San Martin 
  Category: Packaging 
  Project: Bamboopow 
• Victor Martinez 
  Category: Social Impact Design 
  Project: Deadly Air – The Silent Killer - Infographic 

Glitch 2021

Glitch is a national student competition hosted annually with work reviewed by a panel of design industry professionals. The competition is hosted by the AIGA student group from Mississippi State University. A list of students who received an award for their submission are listed below: 

• Category: Typography 
  • Francisco Lugo 
    Best of Typography 
    Project: Beowulf Type Poster 
  • Emily Lovo 
    1st Runner Up in Typography  
    Project: Not My President Poster Series 
  • Jocelyn Flores 
    Honorable Mention in Typography 
    Project: The Uprise of Technology: 3D Printer 
  • Rubymarie G. Filoteo 
    Honorable Mention in Typography 
    Project: Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz 2020 
  • Ulyssa Molina 
    Honorable Mention in Typography 
    Project: Greater Hartford Jazz Festival 2020 
• Category: Branding 
  • Jocelyn Flores 
    1st Runner Up in Branding 
    Project: 3 Capitals of South Africa 
  • Jocelyn Flores 
    Honorable Mention in Branding 
    Project: PSA Campaign for Homelessness 
• Category: Publication 
  • Rubymarie G. Filoteo 
    1st Runner Up in Publication 
    Project: The Invisible Man 

ADDYS 2021

The Graphic Design Program at the University of the Incarnate would like to congratulate the students who earned ADDYs for the 2021 American Advertising Awards hosted by the American Advertising Federation – San Antonio (AAF-SA) chapter:

• Student Gold ADDY Winners
  • Ruby Marie Filoteo – The Invisible Man 
  • Trevor Tealor - Don Quixote De La Mancha Book Cover 
  • Emily Hojnowski - Defy Fragrances 
  • Allison Reyes - Ground Up 
  • Rachel Villacorta - Bar Key Bartending Summit 
• Student Silver ADDY Winners:  
  • Amy Alvarez - Menu Redesign 
  • Emily Hojnowski - Wonderkid and Light Pollution Infographic 
  • Jocelyn Flores - Il Forno Logo 
  • Charles Perez - Base Camp 
  • Alejandra Lopez Mendez - We Meet 
• Student Bronze ADDY Winners:  
  • Emily Hojnowski - Dreamcon Website 
  • Emily Lovo - Censorship Booklet 
  • Jocelyn Flores - Homelessness PSA Campaign 
  • Tehua Cruz - Action! Film Conference 

UIW Alumni hosted another REDTalk episode on Wednesday, March 24. Ya’Ke Smith, BA ’03 who is known for his unflinching and veracious style of storytelling and is a rising voice in independent cinema, was the session's guest speaker. His talk focused on the spark of inspiration and how stories we tell resonate with us and the world around us.

Watch the episode!

Join the Department of Alumni and Parent Relations along with Herff Jones for the 2021 "Red Put A Ring On It!" Celebration. This event will take place on the beautiful UIW Broadway Campus from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2021 in a drive through format. Students of junior status and up who purchased a class ring are eligible to participate. UIW alumni are also welcome to join us!

Learn more and register for the celebration

The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is pleased to announce that Adrian A. Hernandez, BA '19, Theatre Arts, was recently selected as one of two inaugural fellows for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc. (USITT) Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative. The program is named in honor of Sherry Wagner-Henry, longtime USITT member and former Board member who passed away unexpectedly in 2020. 

The core element of the initiative is to support a young professional serve as a non-voting member of the USITT Board. Development of new Board leaders was a passion of Wagner-Henry, who fervently believed that the next generation of non-profit leaders should be developed through an engagement with governance that allowed their voices to be heard. The fellowship program developed from the Board Mentorship program that Wagner-Henry established in 2013 during her tenure as USITT Treasurer. 

In addition to supporting the cost of meeting attendance for fellowship recipients, the Sherry Wagner-Henry Leadership Development Initiative supports leadership development across the Institute, allowing promising young leaders the opportunity to engage and grow in non-profit service. USITT is the leading professional organization promoting dialogue, research, and learning among practitioners of theatre design and technology. 

In commenting upon the award, Hernandez expressed his excitement at the opportunity to serve as a non-voting board member through 2022 and bring everything he learned at UIW, especially its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to board meetings. He also expressed his admiration for the training and continuing mentorship provided by UIW Theatre Arts faculty, especially Justin Bennett, Margaret Mitchell, Mark Stringham, and Christopher McCollum. He credits his selection as a fellow to their work. “There is no way I would have accomplished this without them. Their commitment to current and former students is unlike any other professor or anyone I have met. They are truly exceptional individuals and UIW and theatre students are extremely lucky to have them.”

Freshman quarterback Cameron Ward led the University of the Incarnate Word football team with a record-breaking seven touchdown performance in a 56-45 win over No. 16/17 Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday afternoon in its home opener.

Ward tallied 407 yards off 26 completions over 47 attempts with no interceptions. Kevin Brown chipped in 190 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

SLU jumped out to an early lead, scoring on its first drive of the game to go up 7-0, but UIW responded later in the quarter. The Cardinals capped off a nine-play, 74-yard drive, highlighted by a 32-yard pass to Tre Wolf, as Ward connected with Robert Ferrell on a seven-yard pass to tie the score, 7-7.

SLU went ahead again to start the second quarter when quarterback Cephus Johnson III carried the ball into the end zone on a three-yard rush. After a missed extra point, the Lions led 13-7, but the Cardinals took the lead on their next possession.

Ward faked a pass before turning to connect with Wolf for a gain of 59 yards, giving UIW first and goal at the one-yard line. Ward scored on the following snap when he faked the handoff and dove into the end zone, putting the Cardinals ahead 14-13.

With SLU threating to score on third and goal, Jerick Pitre reached out for a big pass breakup in the end zone, forcing the Lions to kick a field goal as the visitors took the lead back, 16-14. But UIW responded, rattling off three straight touchdowns over the final three minutes of the half.

Starting the next drive on the UIW 25-yard-line, Brown scrambled through the defense before finding open space as he carried the ball 75 yards for the score, putting the Cardinals up 21-16.

The Cardinal defense got the ball back quickly, forcing a turnover on downs off a pass breakup by Gerald Bowie III. The offense fed off that momentum as Ward connected with Ferrell on a three-yard pass for his second touchdown of the game. This six-play, 34-yard drive over 1:02 gave UIW a 28-16 advantage.

After the defense forced another turnover on downs, the Cardinals had 24 seconds with the ball at their own 47-yard line. Ward looked up to find Wolf in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown with three seconds remaining, giving UIW a 35-16 lead at the break.

UIW wasted no time in the second half, scoring on a 1:23 drive that took only five plays. Ward started with a 26-yard connection with Ferrel before hitting Ameer King in the end zone with a 25-yard touchdown pass, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 42-16.

Southeastern Louisiana responded with a touchdown, halting UIW’s stampede at four consecutive scores, but the hurry-up offense led by Ward sped up the field in just three plays over 36 seconds, concluding as the freshman quarterback threw a 41-yard bomb to Campbell for the score to push the Cardinal advantage to 49-23.

The Cardinals added another score, this time a 42-yard Ward pass to Darion Chafin. The touchdown took six plays and 2:47 off the clock and gave UIW a 56-23 lead.

SLU tried to make it a game, closing with one touchdown at the end of the third quarter and two in the fourth, but UIW proved to be too strong, shutting down the Lions for a 56-45 win to remain undefeated.

Returning from a six-game road trip, the University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team was glad to be back home, and it showed in a 3-1 victory against Lamar on Thursday night inside the McDermott Center.

Bethany Clapp led the way with 19 kills, followed by Chase Jackson's 12. Defensively, Macy Sumrall notched 18 digs and Annamarie Alvarez was huge at the net with six block assists.

Despite Lamar going up 3-1 early in the first set, UIW responded quickly with a 6-0 run to take an advantage they would not give up. The home Cardinals continued to maintain control, riding the lead to a 25-12 set victory.

The UIW Cardinals took the second set, but not without some resistance from Lamar. There were four lead changes and seven tied scores through the early portion of the back-and-forth battle. With the score knotted at 13-13, UIW gained momentum off back-to-back kills by Clap. Lamar continued to fight, but UIW’s offense proved to be too much as the San Antonio Cardinals clinched a 25-20 set win.

Lamar challenged UIW's lead in the third set, going ahead early and never looking back. UIW, down 21-13, mounted a comeback with a 6-1 run that was highlighted by a Pilar Gonzaba ace and an Alvarez kill. The response fell short, however, as the Beaumont Cardinals held on for a 25-20 win, forcing the match into set four.

Set five was another battle between the two teams of Cardinals. Down 21-20, UIW found its footing and charged forward with a 5-0 run. Gonzaba quickly set Clapp up for the kill, which she then followed up with a service ace. Alvarez, who was waiting at the net for the attack, went up into the air and secured a kill, forcing Lamar to call a timeout.

After the break, Macy Sumrall set Alvarez up for another kill to put the score at 24-21. Taylor Henderson and Allison Palmi read the Lamar offense perfectly, jumping up in sync to block an attack by Malaysia Murdock and clinch the win for UIW.

Sophomore Taylor Darden led the Cardinals with a 3-for-4 day, including an RBI and a run scored, as the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team came from behind in the eighth inning for a 5-3 victory in the final game of the series against Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.

With this win, the Cardinals (8-5, 5-3 SLC) secured the series, 3-1, over the Lions (12-8, 5-3 SLC). This is the first time in program history UIW has won the series against SLU.

Darden got UIW across the plate first in the bottom of the second inning after he singled up the middle and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Ridge Rogers grounded out to second to bring Darden home.

The Lions scored in each of the third and fourth innings to take a 2-1 lead. First, SLU’s Nick Ray scored on an Evan Keller single to center. The Lions added another run in the fourth off a Cameron Artigues sacrifice fly that drove in Peyton Faulkner.

The Cardinals tied it, 2-2, in the sixth inning after Lee Thomas got on base with a hit-by-pitch and motored around the bases on a deep centerfield double off the bat of Darden.

SLU responded in the top of the seventh when Tyler Finke scored off a single to give the Lions a 3-2 lead.

UIW again had an answer, scoring three in the eighth inning to take its final lead of the game. Jordan McFarland, Lee Thomas and Ryan Flores strung together three doubles, giving UIW two runs and one on base. Flores was the final run, scoring as Limas ripped an RBI single to right field and giving UIW a 5-3 advantage.

The Cardinals finished the job in the top of the ninth inning. Michael Garza entered and closed out the game on the mound, getting two strikeouts and a game-ending ground out as UIW clinched the series win over Southeastern Louisiana.

The University of the Incarnate Word continues to monitor the local, regional and state-wide progression of COVID-19 to inform decisions about safe campus operations. Below you will find links to helpful information regarding UIW's COVID-19 warning indicators, case tracking, safety guidelines and resources for the UIW community. These sites will be updated to reflect changes or new information.

Cardinal Daily Health Check

COVID-19 Information Site

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Case Updates

Cardinal Flight Plan 

Schedule a COVID-19 test on the Broadway campus (students and employees ONLY)

Schedule a COVID-19 test at the UIWSOM campus (open to general public)