Philanthropist Harvey Najim donates $1M to Our Lady of the Lake University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Antonio, Texas - May 5, 2026 - Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) proudly announces a two-part $1 million gift from local philanthropist Harvey Najim.

The unrestricted scholarship fund will help students close financial gaps that too often derail progress, supporting expenses such as tuition and fees, books, transportation, and other essential needs. For first-generation students in particular, this flexible support can mean the difference between stopping out and staying enrolled, completing a degree, and moving into a career path that strengthens long-term stability for their families.

Together, this two-part investment will help more students pursue an OLLU education while celebrating a leader whose service helped shape the University's future.

The Roy Terracina Court honors Terracina's distinguished service and visionary leadership, which helped guide the University's strategic direction and advance OLLU Athletics into a vibrant, unifying force on campus.

"Roy Terracina's leadership transformed not only our athletics program but the student experience as a whole," said Abel Chávez, President of Our Lady of the Lake University. "This naming recognizes a legacy rooted in service, vision, and an unwavering commitment to student success. The Roy Terracina Court will inspire generations of Saints to lead with purpose-in mind, body, and spirit."

Located within the UWAC, the newly named court reflects OLLU's Catholic mission of educating the whole person. The space brings students together to build discipline, resilience, teamwork, and community, values that echo Terracina's lasting impact.

Philanthropist Harvey Najim, whose support helped make this initiative possible, underscored the broader significance of the gift. "This gift is about opening doors," Najim said. "By investing in scholarships at OLLU, we are empowering students-many of them first-generation-to pursue their education and build meaningful futures. Honoring Roy in this way reflects the kind of leadership and generosity that changes lives."

Terracina expressed his appreciation for the recognition: "I am deeply humbled by this recognition from Our Lady of the Lake University, a place that means so much to me. OLLU's mission and its students have always been at the heart of my service. To know that this court will support and inspire future generations is truly meaningful."

In addition to the naming, Terracina will serve as a mentor to students and support workforce readiness efforts that strengthen long-term employment outcomes. As OLLU continues its legacy of expanding access to education-one it pioneered as the birthplace of Hispanic Serving Institutions-the Roy Terracina Court will stand as a visible symbol of leadership, generosity, and the transformative power of higher education.

This contribution follows last month's $1.82M grant from the Bexar County Commissioners Court for renovations to the University Auditorium, as well as a recent $150K workforce development grant from H-E-B to support student career readiness.

About Our Lady of the Lake University

Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic institution committed to serving diverse communities and empowering students through education. As the birthplace of Hispanic Serving Institutions, OLLU has long been a national leader in advancing educational access and opportunity for underserved populations.

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