He won three in Los Angeles for KCBS-TV. Then he moved his family to Dallas and won five more for WFAA-TV. His latest Lone Star Emmy award came on Nov. 10 for a story on “Adults and Autism,” a collaborative effort with WFAA reporter Teresa Woodard.

A Lone Star Emmy is earned. The statuette must be purchased (for almost $100, Renteria says.) This year, Renteria decided not to buy an eighth piece of hardware. “I told my wife, ‘I’m more interested in paying for silver than gold,’” he says. “My daughter needs braces more than I need a statuette.”

Renteria holds the unofficial OLLU record for most regional Emmys won. I say “unofficial” because there may be another graduate with more. I thought the school record was six (see below) until I had a chance encounter with another graduate on Alumni Weekend.

That’s how I learned about Juan Renteria. Below is a list — probably incomplete — of OLLU students, alumni and faculty members who have won regional Emmys. If you know of anyone who belongs on the list, please let me know (krodriguez@ollusa.edu).

Juan Renteria with daughter Paloma and one of his Emmys

 Patricio Espinoza, a Mass Communications student who doubles as a News 4 WOAI-TV special assignment reporter, has won six Lone Star Emmys.

 Arantxa Loizaga, a Mass Communications student who doubles as a KWEX-TV news anchor, has won two Emmys, including one she shared this year with six colleagues for a project in the Public/Current/Community Affairs-Program/Special/Series category.

 Eileen Teves, an MBA student who serves as a co-host and reporter for Great Day SA on KENS-5, won an Emmy in 2009 for “Outstanding Achievement in a Magazine Program.”

 Laura Ramirez, a Mass Communications adjunct professor and News 4 WOAI-TV producer, shared an Emmy this year with three colleagues for Promoting Primetime programming with a local newscast.

 Sarai Bejarano, a Mass Communications student, and alumna Yadira Chavez contributed to a groundbreaking project at KWEX-TV called “Proyecto U,” which won an Emmy this year for Community Service.

In summary, OLLU students, alumni and faculty have won at least 19 Emmys. If you know of anyone who belongs on the list, please let me know (krodriguez@ollusa.edu).

Renteria won his first Emmy in 2000 for “Outstanding News Videography.” The buzz from that award eclipsed all others.

“The first Emmy is the most special,” Renteria says. “I remember being very, very excited. To be recognized by other photographers made it even more special. I felt like I was on the right path, that the hard work that got me to that point was paying off. And if I continued down that road, there would be more awards to come.”