The Ervin Legacy More Teaching While Living Close to Expectations of What the Lord Wants to Reveal to Them About the Plan He Family
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Oral Roberts University Digital Showcase Theological Heritage of ORU: Howard M. Ervin Bibliography & Biography (1915-2009) Fall 2008 The rE vin Legacy Danielle Parker Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalshowcase.oru.edu/ervin_bio Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Danielle Parker, Th This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Theological Heritage of ORU: Howard M. Ervin (1915-2009) at Digital Showcase. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bibliography & Biography by an authorized administrator of Digital Showcase. For more information, please contact [email protected]. springfall20082008 excellence for oral roberts university alumni and friends Lobbying for ChangeReady for The Green family came to ORU with goodHis ideas and Close-Up gifts totaling $70 million. The effect? A dramatic change in the wayPhil ORU Cooke is governed (pictured and an with opportu wife- nity Kathleen)for more stakeholders’ has a lot to voices say aboutto be heard.the (See ever-changing story on page landscape__.) of media, marketing and ministry. (See page 8.) TABLEOFCONTENTS Alumni Relations Staff Key Contacts David Wagner 73 President and Chairman Alumni Foundation Board of Directors 918/495.7312 [email protected] excellence FOR ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND FRIENDS George Paul 69 Associate Vice President Alumni and Development Fall 2008 | Vol. 20, No. 2 918/495.7324 [email protected] Natalie (Kilgore) Bounds-Adams 88 Alumni Relations Director 918/495.6588 [email protected] Chris Miller 95, 05-MMGT Director of Development 918/495.7436 [email protected] Winnie Perdue Alumni Events Coordinator 918/495.6627 [email protected] page5 page14 page24 Publisher ORU Alumni Foundation FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Editor Debbie Titus 77 George Balancing Marriage, Motherhood and 4 Presidential Perspective Contributors/Writers 5 Mass Tort Litigation ORU announces a reduction in force. Rhae Buckley, Jadell Forman, Debbie George, Rachel Wegner. How Joy (Lea) Palazzo does it. Photography 14 Campus Currents Kristen Carollo, Logan Chambers and ÊÊ ÊÊ UÊ,iÛ>ÌÃt Michael Deen (Day of Prayer), Faith, Culture and Other Mysteries ÊÊUÊ >ÞÊvÊ*À>ÞiÀÊ>`Ê>ÃÌ} Phil Cooke, Anne Downey, Debbie George, Wayne Jacobsen, Mike 8 Media consultant and author Phil Cooke ÊÊUÊLÀ>ÀÞÊ7ÀÊ >Þ Minyard (ORU Athletics), Joy Palazzo, ÊÊUÊ iÜÊ>VÕÌÞ Paula Sterns, Don Wilson. shares his perspective. ÊÊUÊ/ iÊ ÀÛÊi}>VÞ Cover photo 1: courtesy of ÊÊUÊ >ViÀÊ,LiÀÌÃ½Ê iÜÊ Cooke Pictures. Cover photo 2 by Kristen Carollo. Wayne’s New World Art and Production 11 A meeting with some guy from Oregon led Wayne 24 The Eli Report Waller & Company Public Relations ÊÊ/À>VÊÃÌ>ÀÊ`ÀiÌÌÊ >Ê>iÃÊ",1Ê ÃÌÀÞ° Jacobsen into uncharted waters with a little book Excellence is published and distributed to alumni and friends by the Oral called Roberts University Alumni Foundation. The Shack. 26 Lifelong Links ÊÊUÊ",1ÊÌiÀViÃÃÀà Direct all inquiries to: ÊÊUÊiÊ ÜiÞ½ÃÊ+ÕiÃÌ ORU Alumni Foundation On the Web . at alumni.oru.edu . P.O. Box 702333 ÊÊUÊÕÊ iÜà Tulsa, OK 74170 UÊ* Ê iÊ>`Ê7>ÞiÊ>VLÃi\ÊÀiÊvÊÌ iÀÊÃÌÀià ÊÊUÊ"LÌÕ>Àià Phone: 918/495.6610 Fax: 918/495.6650 UÊ,iÛ>ÌÃ\Ê, Ê£]ÊÌ iÊLÀ>ÀÞ]Ê>`Ê/ Web site: alumni.oru.edu E-mail: [email protected] Questions or comments? Contact the editor at [email protected]. Excellence Magazine Mission Statement The purpose of Excellence magazine is threefold: to make alumni aware of what their former classmates are doing, to tell alumni what is happening today on the Oral Roberts University campus, and to share the good news about alumni accomplishments with faculty, staff, and friends of the university. Excellence magazine is proof positive that the mission of ORU is being carried out on a daily basis all over the globe — “in every person’s world.” Oral Roberts University | Fall 2008 | 3 CAMPUSCURRENTS Armstrong Means Extra Strength All along, Kevin Armstrong (1980- 82) planned to start his education in ORU’s communication arts depart- ment. But he didn’t plan to end up teaching there. Born in Tulsa but raised in Ohio, his heart’s desire was to return to his birthplace and attend ORU. But as an aspiring journalist, Armstrong knew he’d have to finish his degree at a school with a journalism emphasis — something not offered at ORU. So, after attending ORU his first two À°ÊiÊ>Ü>`ÊvÀi}ÀÕ`®]Ê>ÃÃÃÌ>ÌÊ«ÀviÃÃÀÊvÊL}Þ]Ê>`ÊL}ÞÉ«Àii`Ê>ÀÊÕ«Ê years, he transferred to the University Õ>ÀÊÜiÀiÊ>}ÊÌ iÊvÀÃÌÊÌÊÕÃiÊÌ iÊiÜÊVÀÃV«ið of Missouri. of Christian university teaching. He In 1984, Armstrong graduated from believes he can do more good as a Scope These Out! UofM and launched into 24 years in teacher training a class of college the newspaper business, mostly at students than as a journalist training a “Awesome!” is a word that’s been The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk. There, few new-hires. used to describe the newest addi- through the invitation of a friend, he tions to ORU’s Microbiology Lab: 24 also began teaching adjunct at Regent At ORU, Armstrong teaches courses Labomed Lx400 microscopes, which University in 2005. in News Reporting, Feature Writing arrived this summer. They’re top-of- and Mass Media Law. As director of the-line and worth nearly $16,000. He and his wife Marcy and their son student publications, he helps stu- Funds for purchasing the microscopes Tyler were enjoying life in Virginia dents apply those skills to the student came from two sources: biology alum- while the couple’s two daughters newspaper (The Oracle) and yearbook ni gifts and a portion of a gift received (Amanda Espino 08 and Ashley (Perihelion). by the School of Nursing from Cancer [Class of ’09]) attended ORU. Then, Treatment Centers of America. during a Thanksgiving 2007 visit to Asked what he hopes for ORU’s Tulsa to visit the girls and his parents, students, Armstrong said, “I hope and Armstrong saw a possibility for doing pray that they live each day with great The Ervin Legacy more teaching while living close to expectations of what the Lord wants to reveal to them about the plan He family. So, the newsman-educator sent When Daniel Isgrigg was looking for a letter of interest to the communica- already has prepared for them. It’s so much greater than they could ever a master’s thesis topic, Dr. Cheryl tion arts department. His letter went Iverson suggested Dr. Howard Ervin. something like this: “I have a job at imagine. I know. I’m living proof by being here at ORU!” Unfamiliar with one of ORU’s original Regent University and The Virginian- theology professors, Isgrigg said he’d Pilot; I don’t need a job. But if you think about it, especially since he ever see a place for me at ORU, give ORU By The Numbers would be taking Ervin’s Pneumatology me a call.” A few months later, ORU course. called, Regent counter-offered, and This fall, ORU is serving 3,067 for- Armstrong ultimately accepted the credit students. These students repre- A few days into the course (which ORU position. sent 49 states (no Vermont!) and 62 incidentally was Ervin’s final course countries. The top five states for stu- as an ORU professor), Isgrigg knew Armstrong’s veteran media experi- dent enrollment are Oklahoma, Texas, he had to capture the life and legacy of ence now infuses his newfound joy California, Florida, and Michigan. this man. The end result, Pilgrimage 20 | Fall 2008 | www.oru.edu CAMPUSCURRENTS Into Pentecost: The Pneumatologi- only charismatic but also ecumenical. cal Legacy of Howard M. Ervin, was Theology Is Intact The school’s faculty represents various the master’s thesis that became both a denominations, including Assemblies book and a presentation at the Soci- of God, Lutheran, Southern Baptist, Although Oral Roberts University ety of Pentecostal Studies meeting and Roman Catholic. has recently experienced dramatic on March 14 at Duke University in changes, its seminary hasn’t. Durham, N.C. Mathew said the school’s curriculum remains unapologetically charismatic Dr. Thomson Mathew, who has been Isgrigg said the project changed his in conviction and commitment — and dean of the school since January 2000, life. “I am much more committed to balanced. “We teach the whole counsel confessed that when the new leader- the Pentecostal message because of Dr. of God — everything God wants us to ship arrived, his school admittedly Ervin . He showed that we have know to live the kingdom lifestyle.” and rightly had initial concerns about sound reasons for believing in baptism the university’s spiritual direction. “In in the Spirit, tongues as evidence, Holy Spirit in the Now, Charismatic the beginning, we didn’t know what and an empowerment that is needed Life and the Healing Ministry, and we were signing up for!” But now to reach the world for Christ. For 50 Signs and Wonders are still on un- enthused to have several academicians years, this is what he preached.” dergraduate and graduate degree plan on the Board of Trustees, he realizes sheets, along with Old Testament and For the full story, visit alumni.oru.edu. the benefits of their support. “They New Testament survey courses. enhance our work,” he said. Joy Ames, an ’08 M.Div. graduate, Because Pentecostal denominations said, “If someone . approached me make a strong showing on the board, and asked about ORU’s spiritual direc- observers might wonder if ORU has tion, I would assure them that the Holy gone denominational. According to Spirit is still alive and active on the Dr. Cheryl Iverson, associate dean of campus of ORU. I am proud to be a Academic Affairs in the School of graduate of ORU’s School of Theol- Theology and Missions and an ORU ogy and Missions.