Excellencepresidential Perspective Forfor Oral Oral Roberts Roberts Universityuniversity Alumni Alumni and and Friends Friends
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spring2009 spring2008 excellencepresidential perspective forfor oral oral roberts roberts universityuniversity alumni alumni and and friends friends Lobbying for OChange Yes! DefyingThe Green doctors’family came orders, to ORU with Chancellorgood ideas and Oral gifts Robertstotaling $70 million. followedThe effect? hisA dramatic heart changeto ORU in the forway HomecomingORU is governed ’09.and an opportu- nity for more stakeholders’ voices to be heard. (See story on page __.) Alumnus of the Year Awards | The Art of Jeanne Winters | The Metro-ORU Bond | 2008 Donor List Students write prayers and thoughts on the chalkboard-painted wall of the new Prayer Room. 2 | SPRING 2009 | Oral Roberts University Key Contacts David Wagner 73 President and Chairman Alumni Foundation Board of Directors 918/495.7312 spring 2009 | vol. 21 no. 1 [email protected] George Paul 69 Associate Vice President AlumnI & Development 918/495.7324 [email protected] Natalie (Kilgore) Bounds-Adams 88 YOU'LL FIND IT AT OrAL rOBErTs UNIVERSITY Director, Alumni Relations 918/495.6588 [email protected] dEpArTmEnTs Chris Miller 95, 05-MMGT PReSiDenTial Perspective Director, Development 4 918/495.7436 Dr. Ralph Fagin’s song of thanks. [email protected] 40 Campus Currents Winnie Perdue • Ignite Conference Alumni Events Coordinator • Founder’s Day 918/495.6627 • Awesome Ed Grads [email protected] • New Prayer Room • e A c a demy Publisher • Holy Spirit . Power! ORU Alumni Foundation • Trustees, Alum Board editor Debbie Titus 77 George 46 the eLi Report Contributors/Writers Hall of Fame inducts six. Rhae Buckley, Jadell Forman, Debbie George, Laura (Collins) Hopkins, Rachel Wegner. 48 Lifelong LinkS PhotograPhy/Photos Provided by • Your Voice DaySpring, Douglas Fears, Maria Hanson, Tim Harris, Duane and Sue Kershner, Gerry Landers, • Alumni News Dr. Charles McKinney, Carol McLeod, Laura Nelson, Mark and Paula Sterns, Rachel Wegner, Don • Obituaries Wilson, Jeanne Winters, Michele Zamecnik, Metro Board Chair Mart Green (right) introduced Dr. Mark and Alison Rutland, Christian Academy, ORU Athletic Media Relations, ORU's future president and first lady, at a Jan. 29 press conference. The Student Publications. Rutlands were introduced to alumni at the Feb. 14 ORU Update. page 6 Cover Photo Don Wilson featurEs art and ProduCtion Waller & Company Public Relations Excellence is published and distributed to Homecoming! alumni and friends by the Oral Roberts University 5 Alumni Foundation. We “celebrated the vision” in style, with direCt inquiries to: ORU Alumni Foundation Chancellor Oral Roberts, President-elect [email protected] alumni.oru.edu Dr. Mark Rutland, and the Alumnus of the 918/495.6610 ORU Development Year honorees. Designed and built by studio art major [email protected] Joel Lake, an '09 graduate, this wooden orugift.com cross is the centerpiece of the new prayer 800/822.8203 13 ‘A SiLenT WiTness’ room. page 42 Mission stateMent The purpose of Excellence magazine is to share alumni stories and recent university news with Jeanne (Hess) Winters puts alumni and friends of ORU, thereby demonstrat- ing that the mission of ORU is being carried out her own faith-filled spin on a daily basis all over the globe – “in every on home décor. person’s world.” On ThE wEB at alumni.oru.eDU 16 SHARe AnD SHARe ALike • 31 Whole Person Scholarships awarded Metro Christian Academy, replete with ORU • More on Ignite alumni, has lots in common with its sibling • More on eAcademy down the street. excellence | SPRING 2009 | 3 presidential perspective An Attitude of Gratitude “i’VE Got pLEnTY to BE ThAnkfUL fOr.” It’s the title of an old Bing Crosby song, but it’s also an apt descrip- tion of Interim President dr. ralph Fagin’s mindset as he prepares to At the beginning of chapel on April 8, Board hand the reins of leadership to OrU’s incoming president, dr. mark Chair Mart green presented Dr. fagin and his wife, Darlene, with several gifts to honor their rutland. We asked dr. Fagin to share his observations from his ten- service to ORU. The captain’s hat was given to fagin to symbolize the way he has piloted ORU ure as OrU’s top administrator, and this is what he said. through turbulent waters and “kept the ship on course.” I’m thankful for God’s blessings February 2009. We’ve also had the I’m thankful for the ORU faculty overtaking ORU. Truly His goodness highest alumni giving totals we’ve and staff who have faithfully served and mercy are following after us. He seen since 1998. That year, alumni with positive attitudes and faith has proven that He is still a miracle- gave almost $800,000. Through in God as they worked to advance working God. February of this fiscal year (May the mission of ORU. These people I’m thankful for significant 1-April 30), alumni had given over have earned my respect as they have progress at ORU that can be tangibly $1.4 million. proven that they can go the distance. demonstrated. For example: I am particularly grateful for Lois • Deferred maintenance. Last I’m thankful for people. That Newman, who represents our office summer, we spent $10.4 million includes Mark Rutland, who will be with grace, competence and wisdom. on campus renovations. The city ORU’s next president. His attributes, I’m thankful for the resilient ORU of Tulsa invested $15 million in abilities and experiences are just what students who exemplify ORU’s vision the rehab of Fred Creek. Through ORU needs at this time in our history. of going into every person’s world hail insurance, we spent $6 million I’m thankful for the former Board with God’s healing power for the to repair campus roofs. And this of Regents and the current Board of totality of human need. I love to be summer, we’re going to spend Trustees, comprised of gifted men and around these genuine, fun-loving another $10 million on campus women who are committed, engaged individuals who are willing to pay the renovations. That’s $41.4 million in and working hard for the benefit of price of greatness through service. 15 months. ORU. “With good men in authority, Lastly, I am thankful for my wife, • Debt. The university’s debt has the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2, Darlene, who has supported me with been reduced from $55 million to Living Bible). remarkable humor, while I have $2,111,303 (as of May 11). And, obviously, I’m thankful for been in a distracted, preoccupied • Student Recruitment. Admissions the generosity of the extended Green and sometimes grumpy condition. reports that we have a very strong family, who I consider to be true She has been a far better interim admit pool, and that we are on heroes of the faith. It has been an first lady than I have been an interim target to meet our enrollment goals honor to work closely with Mart Green president. for this fall. In March, we awarded in “wartime conditions” and establish As I reflect upon the events of the full-tuition scholarships to our first a lifelong friendship. My firsthand last year and a half, I have come to 31 “Whole Person Scholars.” knowledge of his faith, intelligence, the inevitable conclusion that I am a • Alumni support and giving. creativity, passion, work ethic, concern blessed man, living amongst a blessed There has been incredible verbal for others, commitment to excellence people. Oral Roberts is right. God is a encouragement from alumni. The and humility leads me to believe he is good God. number of first-time donors has the greatest man I have ever known. increased significantly, going from (He will be mad at me for saying such rALph Fagin, ph.d. InterIm PresIdent and PrOvOst 178 in February 2008 to 679 as of a thing, but it is the truth.) 4 | SPRING 2009 | Oral Roberts University oru homecoming A Homecoming Close to OUR Hearts The celebrations at Homecoming 2009 were marked by the presence of a very special guest: Chancellor Oral Roberts himself. At 91, he was warmly welcomed by the campus community, having ignored his doctors’ ultimatums in order to return to the campus that proudly bears his name. and 14 — Valentine’s Day weekend — On the 14th, a 24-7 prayer room “It’s wonderful to the atmosphere on campus was, ap- opened for business on the newly ren- propriately enough, full of hope and ovated first floor of the Prayer Tower. be home again,” love. Alumni optimism was at an all- Who better than Oral Roberts to dedi- the chancellor said, following a pro- time high as grads and their guests cate this new room, and rededicate the longed ovation at the Prayer Tower attended about forty different events, tower that he had insisted on building rededication. from chapel and reunion dinners to in the 1960s? The Homecoming theme was “Cel- advisory council meetings and basket- “I’ve never built anything in my ebrate the Vision,” building upon the ball games. Chancellor Roberts’ pres- life without first hearing from God,” initiative to keep the founding vision ence at several events just added to the Roberts said. “One thing I know: God of ORU alive and well. Held Feb. 13 positive energy. speaks to His people. You hear His former Titan basketball coach ken Trickey caught up with the chancellor — a lifelong b-ball fan — at the Alumni Banquet. excellence | SPRING 2009 | 5 oru homecoming voice in your spirit. You may not rec- $10 million in campus renovations ognize at first, but you will, that God will be completed this summer. And a is talking to you. And here is the one new president will be inaugurated on place on earth that you can come and Sept.