Melody of the Soul
12/30/2025It is often said that music is the language of the soul. Music can evoke memories, and give expression to emotions, relationships and life circumstances that are inexpressible through words alone.
It is often said that music is the language of the soul. Music can evoke memories, and give expression to emotions, relationships and life circumstances that are inexpressible through words alone.
Music therapy stands at the intersection of artistry and healing, providing a powerful service to individuals through therapeutic music interventions. Simply put, the field of music therapy is one of service to others through the arts. Those proud to call themselves music therapists must undergo rigorous training that involves a study of the musical arts, as well as psychology.
With two degrees in business, Justin Puente, BBA ’15, MBA ’17, has skillfully combined his learned expertise with his natural design talent to carve out a niche in the T-shirt design industry, with his beloved alma mater among his favorite customers.
If music is the universal language, then to study music is to learn how to build bridges, connect with those who are different from oneself, and explore what bonds people rather than what divides them.
For Denise Hernandez, BBA ’05, the value of service was demonstrated throughout her childhood by her parents, Jesus and Patricia Rodriguez. She and her brothers watched as their working-class parents ran their molino, a Mexican corn milling manufacturing plant on the Westside of San Antonio.
Dan Diehl has a knack for unraveling complicated communication - or perhaps it’s better described as the ability to simplify complex concepts.
Grace and Martin DeJesus have long been cherished members of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) community, and now they are also two of its newest alumni. After dedicating over a decade of service to the university as employees, and watching their daughters proudly walk across the same stage as graduates, the couple realized it was time to invest in their own education.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, UIW bid a heartfelt farewell to the graduating class as they crossed the commencement stage at the Freeman Coliseum. This year, more than 600 Incarnate Word graduates from home and abroad were honored at the ceremony where they received their hard-earned diplomas. Each one of these graduates has left their mark at UIW, intertwining their unique stories with the many others that are woven throughout the University’s history. One of these remarkable graduates is Drake Perry Denning.
Dr. Evans shares a special video message for the UIW community in celebration of the Christmas season.
On Monday, Dec. 9, the University commemorated the achievements of the Fall 2024 graduating class at the UIW Ring Ceremony, presented by Herff Jones. Initially held in 2016, the Ring Ceremony is typically hosted exclusively during spring semesters. A fall ceremony was added this year to accommodate the growing student interest and participation in what is now viewed as a beloved school tradition.
For generations of Incarnate Word students, the sounds of UIW Bands have been a staple of many campus traditions and events. From holiday concerts, formal occasions and athletics events, the institution’s student musicians have uplifted the community with their passionate performances. One of these musicians is Haley Guerrero.
On Saturday, December 14, UIW’s Fall 2024 graduating class will cross the commencement stage to claim their hard-earned degrees, marking the beginning of a new chapter beyond the Nest. Each graduate is a reflection of UIW’s Mission to support students as they become enlightened citizens that embody the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word. One of these remarkable graduates is Mariana Garza.
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) hosted its Annual Military Match Day ceremony. The UIWSOM Office of Student Affairs and the UIW Office of Military and Veterans Affairs have hosted this ceremony since December 2020 to reveal and celebrate the placement of military-affiliated applicants seeking residency or postgraduate positions in military programs. This opportunity is exclusive to service persons eligible to participate in the residency match season, meaning they have completed all the requirements of their respective medical programs.
In 2021, UIW launched its Global Online program, which provides online degree programs in Spanish to students in the Latin American region. The program offers the opportunity for intentional Spanish-speaking students to grow professionally and personally as they work to obtain a U.S. degree or diploma. Global Online’s first graduating class consisted of 41 students who graduated in December of 2022.
This November, Dr. LuElla D’Amico, associate professor of English, led a group of students to the Southwest Conference on Christianity and Literature at the University of Dallas, where they delivered research presentations. This conference considers the ways in which sacred literature is related to secular literature, and how the understanding of the one can inform approaches to the other (udallas.edu).
It’s that time of year again! Commencement Week begins on Monday, Dec. 9. The UIW community can expect a variety of events recognizing the accomplishments of its December 2024 graduates. Read about next week’s celebrations below!
Faculty and students of the UIW Dreeben School of Education (DSE) represented the University at the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) 2025 Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada. The AAACE’s mission is to provide leadership for the field of adult and continued education by expanding opportunities in alignment with the belief that lifelong learning contributes to human fulfillment and positive social change (AAACE.org).
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, UIW’s Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability and the Office of Communications and Brand Marketing (OCM) coordinated the distribution of Thanksgiving meal kits at UIW’s 2nd annual Blessing Boxes distribution event.
In this season of thanks, Dr. Evans shares his gratitude for the UIW community and a special blessing for the season.
San Antonio (Nov. 25, 2024) – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) held its annual Light the Way Holiday Festival presented by H-E-B on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. The event marked the 38th year for the annual Christmas celebration on the Broadway campus of UIW and the 20th year that H-E-B was the title sponsor. The festival kicked off at 3 p.m., providing six hours of holiday fun before the traditional 9 p.m. fireworks finale.
On Saturday, Nov. 16 the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) football team clinched the Southland Conference Championship after winning the highly anticipated game against Stephan F. Austin (SFA). The game concluded with a final score of 27-20, securing UIW’s 9th win of the season. The Cardinals aim to be the first team in program history to finish undefeated in conference play this Saturday, Nov. 23.
The University of the Incarnate Word women’s and men’s cross country teams excelled in this year’s Southland Conference (SLC) Championship. The SLC is a collegiate University-level athletic conference that operates within the South-Central Texas region. It is currently comprised of 12 full-time members across Texas and Louisiana.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the UIW H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA) hosted its annual Startup Challenge. Since 2009, this 13-week competition has been held every fall semester, allowing students to develop a business model from idea to actualization. The competition is organized by Dr. Jose Moreno and Dr. Teresa Harrison, co-directors of the Beckendorf Family Center for Innovation and Global Entrepreneurship and is open to UIW students from all campuses and schools.
In anticipation of the fast-approaching Christmas season, the UIW community gathered for the President’s Posada, a beloved annual event hosted by UIW President Dr. Thomas Evans and his wife, Mrs. Lisa Evans. The event, which is led by the Campus Life team, brings the campus community together every year to celebrate the season with warmth, gratitude, and fellowship, and has become an important tradition, for students and employees alike.
During the week of Nov. 18-22, the University of the Incarnate Word proudly participated in International Education Week (IEW), a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This annual event is part of their efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences (U.S. Department of State, 2024).
It’s that time of year again, Incarnate Word family! The University of the Incarnate Word will usher in the holiday season with the 38th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival from 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 on the UIW Broadway campus. This year, the University celebrates a major milestone with H-E-B, as the organization marks its 20th year of generously sponsoring the Light the Way Holiday Festival!
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has established a new collaborative agreement with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). The partnership is aimed at expanding community service programs and practical training through short-term and faculty-led initiatives for domestic UIW students to travel and learn in Mexico.
The UIW Department of Music will host the Poulenc Music Festival this December. This first-time event will be a celebration of the music of Francis Poulenc, French composer and pianist (1899-1963). In his career, Poulenc made important contributions to French music following WWI. His works, which include art songs, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, solo piano works, ballets and orchestral concert music, are still widely regarded as some of the best compositions of the 20th century (Brittanica, 2024).
Recently, Dr. Timothy A. Wingert, OD, FAAO, FNAP, FEAOO, retired dean and professor at the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) traveled to Quito, Ecuador as an invited guest speaker at the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics, also known as Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica (ALDOO). Joined by Dr. Carol Pinzon, optometry program director at University Foundation of the Andean Area (Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina), Wingert discussed the internationalization of optometric education in regard to UIW’s recent partnership with its three sister schools in Ecuador: Instituto Tecnologico Blue Hill, Universidad Ecotec and Universidad Internacional del Ecuador.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, UIW continued its long history of hosting the annual Diwali celebration in the UIW Rosenberg Sky Room. Diwali, or Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of people around the world. The South Asian holiday is often commemorated through festivals in recognition of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, UIW’s School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), in collaboration with the UIWSOM chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, hosted the inaugural Humanities in Healthcare Symposium. This first-time event welcomed approximately 70 community members and guests to hear from a variety of speakers as they discussed healthcare related topics such as professionalism, ethics, spirituality and humanism.
During Veterans Day, citizens across the country recognized the past and continued efforts of active-duty military members and veterans who have proudly served in the United States Armed Forces. At the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), 21% of the student population are military affiliated, giving the institution the responsibility and privilege of serving our nation’s heroes who now call UIW home.
In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-Generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. Since then, colleges and universities across the country have been invited to participate in celebrating the achievements of first-generation college students, highlighting their resilience, dedication, and impact on higher education.
On Tuesday, Nov. 05, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability provided transportation for dozens of students to get to their designated voting centers, with 80% of them being first-time voters.
Last Saturday's homecoming football game was a thrilling display of skill and excitement, with the Cardinals emerging victorious over Houston Christian University. However, it wasn’t just the score that had fans cheering. One Cardinal player’s unforgettable headstand touchdown celebration instantly went viral, turning him into an overnight internet and television sensation.
From Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, UIW celebrated its 2024 Homecoming season with UIW generations both past and present. Many of UIW’s Crusaders and Cardinals came together for a week of events that honored the University’s history, celebrated its present achievements and embraced the possibilities of the future.
San Antonio – November 8, 2024 – “My time at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life.”
St. Anthony Catholic High School (SACHS) is proud to announce that it has been ranked the No. 1 Catholic High School in San Antonio by a national online publication. Niche.com, the country’s leading college and school search platform, is out with its 2025 national school rankings. This prestigious ranking reflects SACHS exceptional performance across numerous factors analyzed by Niche including academic performance, extracurricular activity opportunities, data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and user input from current students, alumni and parents.
UIW’s Homecoming week ushers in both a sense of familiarity and anticipation for the possibilities ahead. It’s a time for the University community to celebrate all that has been accomplished, welcome back its alumni and consider how to better serve the next generations of Cardinals.
Through the combined support of UIW Mission and Ministry and Behavioral Health Services, the University is launching a new ministry that will provide support and resources to campus members who have taken on the role of long-term caregivers to their loved ones.
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, UIW hosted its annual Peace Day event, a celebration that embraces peace in the hopes of promoting justice for all. The event was first started at UIW in 1986 when the University hosted “Peace Fairs." It has since evolved into a day-long event that welcomes guests from the UIW community and beyond to share how they are intentionally acting in pursuit of their shared goal of peace.
Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is observed during the end of October and the beginning of November. This holiday, commonly celebrated by the Mexican community, is meant to be a celebration of life as people welcome back the souls of their departed loved ones. Día de los Muertos’ roots lie in the Catholic observations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, plus the culture and customs of the Mexican community.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, UIW hosted the dedication of the Robert C. Crosby Spirit Bell, named in honor and memory of UIW’s cherished friend who passed on June 6, 2022.
On Halloween morning, students from UIW’s Brainpower Connection elementary schools (Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, St. Anthony Catholic School and St. Mary Magdalen Dual Language Catholic School) for its annual Brainpower Connections Trick-or-Treating event.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant will be used over the next five years to fund the new, innovative creative arts program Artful Worship: Inspiring Children’s Faith Through the Catholic Imagination. The program aims to create enlivening and contemplative programming that engages children in prayer and worship through the arts.
Dr. Evans announces that UIW has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to support a new, innovative program called Artful Worship: Inspiring Children’s Faith Through the Catholic Imagination.
It’s that time of year again! From Sunday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 3, UIW will celebrate Homecoming 2024! Current and past generations of Cardinals (and Crusaders) will be flocking back to the Nest to enjoy various on and off-campus events.
UIW student groups - Student Government Association (SGA), Student Veterans’ Association (SVA) and Music Therapy Student Association (MTSA) - recently collaborated with the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability, each organizing a drive in support of the Cardinals’ Cupboard food pantry. The organizations gathered donations such as canned food, blankets and socks to contribute towards the pantry. Additionally, MTSA collected facial tissues, soup, tea and crackers to create “sick kits” for people to utilize when feeling ill.
From Thursday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Oct. 12, the 2024 Texas Nursing Students Association (TNSA) conference was hosted in Austin, Texas. TNSA is dedicated to promoting professionalism and leadership among nursing students, representing over 3,000 individuals across the state who are preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses. This annual conference welcomes members to gather and exchange ideas, share knowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the next generation of nursing professionals.
Dr. Ashley Love, director of Graduate Studies at the Dreeben School of Education, was recognized as one of 12 award winners at The Social Learning Innovator Awards 2024 hosted by Hypothesis.
As part of our “Fueling and Hydration” initiative, the University’s “Unified In Wellness” team partnered with Sodexo to host engaging Café Tours for students, faculty and staff. The tours, held on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 21, provided 30 participants with practical tips for navigating the campus dining hall and creating balanced, nutritious meals.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) celebrated the past, present and future members of our nation’s military during its annual Military Appreciation Game on Saturday, October 19, 2024. UIW honored military members from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Space Force. And this year’s group of UIW Fall Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship winners received a pledge of $1 million worth of scholarships from the U.S. Department of Defense.
The University of the Incarnate Word School of Professional Studies (UIWSPS) is proud to announce that it has been recognized by Intelligent.com, a widely respected source for higher education rankings and research. UIWSPS has been awarded high rankings across several disciplines, reinforcing its status as a leader in online higher education.
It’s not every day that professors drive around town delivering hot meals to students in need, but for Dr. Jorge Medina, assistant professor in the UIW Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP), doing so during the COVID-19 pandemic was a given. Concerned for those who were unable to gather with family during the Thanksgiving holiday of 2020 due to safety restrictions, Medina put out a simple ask – do you need a warm Thanksgiving meal, and if so, where should I drop it off?
Two students in the UIW Dreeben School of Education’s Adult Education, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship PhD program, Michelle Casares Vasquez and Ciji Couvertier, traveled to Zakynthos, Greece this semester to present their research at the inaugural International Digital Storytelling Festival.
This year’s healthcare mission trip to Oaxaca was nothing short of transformative. In one week, our interprofessional team treated over 2,300 patients, providing everything from routine medical care to specialized services. The impact on the local community, spanning all ages, was profound. The heartfelt gratitude from the residents reminded us why we chose careers in healthcare—it’s about making a difference, one person at a time.
From Monday, Oct. 7 through Thursday, Oct. 10, UIW hosted its inaugural Hispanic Heritage Symposium, a three-day event featuring several UIW affiliated speakers. They explored the vibrancy of the Hispanic culture as reflected through education, research, community service and artistic expression.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, The Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions (SNHP) welcomed 450 aspiring healthcare practitioners and guests to the UIW McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room for the 2024 Sr. Charles Marie Frank Endowed Lecture. Current SNHP and UIW health professions students and faculty were welcomed to attend the event to share their healthcare-related research through poster presentations and listen to a lecture delivered by this year’s guest speaker, Kristen Swanson, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean emerita and professor from Seattle University College of Nursing.
Every October, UIW celebrates Heritage Day as part of Heritage Week, a cherished tradition that honors the origins of the University of the Incarnate Word and recognizes those who continue to further its Mission.
Abigail Sarabia, a recent graduate from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Dreeben School of Education, believes she may have been born to be a teacher. Now, in what can only be considered a full circle moment, she is being honored for the teaching work she has done in the very school where she first found her teaching inspiration. Sarabia was recently named the Clinical Teacher of the Year by the Texas Directors of Field Experience for her work at Huebner Elementary in the North East ISD… the school from which she has her most cherished teaching childhood memories.
For University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Assistant Professor Dr. Charles Fermaintt the fight against breast cancer is personal. His mother was diagnosed and survived breast cancer in 2016. Now, Fermaintt is taking on one of the most aggressive forms of the disease in his research being done right here at UIW. That research has just been awarded a grant of more than $500,000 over the next three years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
As part of the continuing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Arturo Chavez, vice president of Mission & Ministry and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), has been hosting a three-part lecture series titled “Exploring Latina(o) Cultures and Spiritualities.” The series aims to explore the rich tapestry of Latin cultures and spiritual beliefs and welcomes the UIW community to join in this discovery.
On Thursday, Oct. 3 on the Eve of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, UIW hosted its annual Blessing of the Animals. UIW students, employees and other local community members were invited to bring their beloved pets to receive a special blessing in honor of St. Francis, patron saint of the environment, animals and birds.
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The campaign is observed nationally on the first Tuesday of October as neighborhoods across the country host various festivities to help provide opportunities for communities to meet local emergency personnel, observe safety demonstrations build community connections and camaraderie and more.
Ten graduate-level accounting students from UIW’s H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA) are the deserving recipients of the Adam Guerrero Memorial Foundation $25,000 scholarship program. Each student will receive $2,500 to aid in continuing their education at UIW.
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has received a pledge of $5 million to support the development and renovation of Founders Hall. The transformative pledge comes to UIW from the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation, managed by the family of Jack Lewis III, former chair of the UIW Board of Trustees and longtime supporter of the University.
President Evans announces a pledge of $5 million from the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation, managed by the family of Jack Lewis III, former chair of our UIW Board of Trustees, to support the development and renovation of Founders Hall.
According to recently published data by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the US will have a projected shortage of approximately 86,000 physicians by 2036. (AAMC, March 21, 2024). Much of this need will be concentrated in areas that are already underserved medically. Here in San Antonio, a community-based Family Medicine Residency Program is growing to help alleviate the critical local shortage of primary care physicians, and with an aim to attract more doctors to practice in our city’s underserved areas.
“Where words fail, music speaks.” There are perhaps few better people who can attest to these words by Hans Christian Andersen than UIW Feik School of Pharmacy students Isabella Luna and Legacy Taylor.
The American Osteopathic Association hosted its annual Osteopathic Medical Education Conference, OMED, in San Antonio from Thursday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 22. The event brought together thousands of osteopathic physicians, medical students and other health professionals from across the country, providing valuable networking opportunities and insights from guest speakers and leaders in the field of osteopathic medicine.
The UIW community continues to host and engage in a variety of festive events in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, demonstrating how Hispanic cultures impact the University.
On Tuesday, Sept. 25, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) celebrated Banned Books Week, an annual initiative promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International that highlights the freedom to read and raises awareness about banned and challenged books. UIW Libraries hosted Dr. Ann D. David, an associate professor in the Dreeben School of Education, for a presentation titled “A Climate of Fear in Texas Schools,” which focused on the effects of book banning and censorship.