Thousands of students were affected by the fire, but few realize the tens of thousands of alumni who have felt the blow. Since 1985, Our Lady of the Lake University has been turning out leaders who have gone on to become masters of their arts and captains of industry.

“It was a total shock at first…you feel a connection to the building,” said 2005 alumnus David G. Alfaro.

As Alfaro watched the NBA playoffs, he received a call. His alma mater was being devoured by flames.

Alfaro, who earned a M.S. in Leadership, began his graduate career at OLLU on the recommendation of a friend, who is also an alum.

“My last two classes for my Master’s were actually in that (main) building,” said Alfaro.

As the flames rose higher, disbelief fell upon alumni hearts. As the Virgin Mother stood, untouched by the fire, a ray of hope shone through. As people began to re-enter the building, alumni across the globe breathed a sigh of relief and felt a sense of rejuvenation.

“Our Lady of the Lake is like the phoenix. The phoenix came up from the ashes, and Our Lady of the Lake will come up from its ashes and be restored to its former glory,” said Veronica Salinas, alumna from 1970 and 1974.

The Office of Alumni Relations, headed by Carolyn Young, was adamant in the continuation of “business as usual.” An alumni social, on the calendar for months, was held on Thursday, May 8, at Karam’s Mexican Restaurant, five minutes from campus.

At the event Dr. Tessa Martinez Pollack, president, spoke, describing the ordeal to alumni and reassuring them that the Lake will not falter in its mission. Though the event was only a few hours long, more than $3,500 was raised with promises of more donations and offers of help.

The Development Office, previously located on the third floor of Main, is now centered in the library. John Sanchez, director of the Annual Fund, describes the outpouring of support from the community. As of May 9, approximately $16,000 in confirmed donations have been placed, not counting gifts of food, supplies, and manpower.