Welcome to the November edition of the Alumni Newsletter!

November has been a memorable month for our Incarnate Word family. Though Homecoming has passed, the excitement and joy from that special week continue to stay with us. It was a pleasure to welcome many of you back to the Nest as we cheered for our Cardinals and celebrated meaningful milestones—including the induction of the Class of 1975 into the Golden Spire Society at the 50th Reunion Brunch.

As we enter the holiday season, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to you—our dedicated alumni. Your continued involvement, whether it's by attending events, volunteering or engaging with us online, helps strengthen our community in meaningful ways.

In this month’s newsletter, we reflect on the spirit of November—a season that reminds us of God’s abundant blessings and inspires us to live and share the UIW Mission.

We look forward to celebrating the holidays with you and hope you’ll join us for all the festive events and opportunities available to reconnect in the weeks ahead.

Friday
November 21

Calling all School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering students and alumni! Join us for a special networking luncheon filled with connection, conversation and Cardinal pride. Gain valuable insights from a panel of distinguished UIW SMSE alumni as they share their journeys, experiences and advice.

Saturday
November 22

Join us for an exclusive alumni event at the 39th annual Light the Way Holiday Festival, presented by H-E-B! UIW alumni and friends receive access to our exclusive alumni area where you can enjoy festive food, whiskey and tequila tastings, face painting, a live DJ and more! You won't want to miss it. PS, it may snow.

Thursday
December 4

Join us at Backyard on Broadway as we join the UIW Teacher Network for the  Ugly Christmas Sweater Social! This unique opportunity allows you to connect with other alumni who have graduated from the UIW Teacher Education Program! Stop by, grab a bite to eat and share what you've been up to since leaving the nest.

Sunday
December 7

Join us for a cherished holiday tradition as we reenact the procession of Mary and Joseph across the Broadway campus. Enjoy this beautiful experience under the glow of the UIW Christmas lights as you walk and sing alongside mariachis. Following the procession, guests are invited to enjoy pan dulce and hot cocoa.

Wednesday
December 10

 It's time to mix and mingle this holiday season! Join us for a festive event where you will learn how to create your own Christmas charcuterie board by UIW alumna, Austyn Burgamy '16, owner of Austyntatious Events. Board and ingredients will be included, as well as the perfect cocktail pairing for your festive creation!

Thursday
December 11

The Office of Alumni Relations invites all UIW Emeriti Faculty to join us this holiday season for a special luncheon celebrating you. Enjoy a beautifully prepared menu in the festively decorated SEC Mezzanine, remarks from UIW’s new Provost, Dr. Eva Fernández, and live music performed by the Cardinal Jazz Combo.

Thursday
December 11

Join us virtually during your lunch break for a faculty-led talk where Dr. Rachel Walker presents- From Curiosity to Responsibility: Exploring AI and Its Ethical Impact. Whether you're familiar with AI or just curious, this presentation will offer helpful insights for using it responsibly.

Saturday
December 13

Dashing through the lights, for a 5K on this day, through the campus we go, running all the way! Get ready for the first ever Dashing through the Lights 5K Run, presented by The Law Office of Shawn C. Brown. The festive run, under the UIW Christmas lights is one you cannot miss this holiday season!

Thursday
January 15

Join the Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Javier Clavere for a virtual Lunch N' Learn where he offers an opportunity for you to learn strategies on prioritization, planning and cultivating a "Quadrant II-mindset." Review essential skills for enhancing professional productivity.

Saturday
January 17

UIW alumni are invited to bring their Cardinal spirit to the Frost Bank Center as the Spurs take on the Timberwolves! Tickets are discounted and include a pre-game mixer in the H-E-B Fan Zone, along with an opportunity for post-game free throws (limited to the first 100 buyers).

Thursday
January 22

Join fellow MBA, MSA and MHA alumni from the UIW H-E-B School of Business and Administration for a fun night dedicated to expanding your professional network and strengthening your ties within the UIW community. Enjoy light bites, drinks and lively discussions!

Saturday
January 31

Join us for the Inaugural Cardinal Chili Cook Off! This is your chance to show off your culinary skills, team spirit and competitive edge in a whole new way! Whether you're bringing the heat with a spicy recipe or going bold and savory, we want YOUR TEAM to be part of the action!

Join our Cardinal community Sunday, December 7, at the gate on Hildebrand in front of the Wellness Center beginning at around 8 a.m. as we cheer on the runners in the San Antonio Marathon! Runners should be completely through our portion of the course by 10 a.m. For more information about the marathon, click here.

Don’t forget to sign up here for the Dashing through the Lights 5K Run, happening Saturday, January 31st!

Do you believe in coincidence? Was it pure chance, or was it always meant to happen? Life is full of people, moments and experiences that make us wonder. Are we here because of luck—or because a greater plan was set in motion long before we knew it?

Darlene Jasso Mendoza ’15 first set foot on the Broadway campus during her senior year of high school. The private Catholic institution immediately captured her attention—the Mission, intimate class sizes, and stunning grounds drew her in. Those qualities ultimately led Mendoza to choose UIW for her college journey.

In 2013, Mendoza was serving as a campus minister and leading a retreat for all incoming international students. As introductions began, her attention was quickly drawn to Edwin, an exchange student from Guatemala. When Edwin shared that he was a talk show host—Mendoza’s dream as a communication arts student—she couldn’t help but chime in, “I just went to Belize!” Edwin smiled and replied, “Cool..but I’m from Guatemala.”

What began as a lighthearted moment soon turned into something much more. Not long after that first interaction, Mendoza and Edwin began dating and imagining a future together—one where they would one day launch a nonprofit to host student service trips and carry forward the UIW Mission. Little did they know their shared dream was waiting just ahead.

In 2015 Mendoza graduated with a BA in Communication Arts, with a concentration in journalism, and in 2016 Mendoza and Edwin said, “I do.” Soon after the wedding, both Medoza and her husband moved to Guatemala. Mendoza was eager to learn Spanish and become familiar with her husband’s culture. After telling her parents their move would only last a year, the Mendozas’ year quickly turned into six. Working with children as English teachers at a nonprofit in Guatemala City that hosted students from all over the country on scholarship, the Mendozas realized that their experiences were too beautiful to give up. 

In 2007, Edwin Mendoza Escoto (Mendoza’s father-in-law) founded an organization called Little Angels of Mary to support children with special needs in Guatemala, but due to limited funding, it closed after one year. Escoto passed in 2020 due to COVID, yet his legacy lives on as Mendoza and Edwin revived Little Angels of Mary in 2022. Nestled in a rural village in Santa Apolonia, Guatemala, the nonprofit relaunched with a nutrition program serving 21 mothers and their children, and in 2023, the Mendozas expanded their efforts by opening a preschool program to provide even more children with early childhood education and daily nutritious meals.

Today, Little Angels of Mary operates two preschools that provide education and daily nutritious meals in an area where 69% of children suffer from malnutrition and where preschool education is virtually non-existent. Although miles away, UIW has never been far from Little Angels of Mary. The Mendozas receive continued support from beloved UIW community member Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word and a leader in the International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee, who has helped organize solidarity trips for students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their expertise with the little angels in Guatemala. With the next solidarity trip scheduled for May 2026, the Mendozas encourage you to visit their website (www.littleangelsofmary.org) and consider making the journey. 

Stay connected with us on social media for the latest recaps, upcoming events, spotlights and much more!

Office: UIW Annex

4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Phone: 210-829-6014

Email: alumni@uiwtx.edu