Director of Social Work Program, College of Science and Engineering
Hiking to find and photograph waterfalls is one of Lanny Endicott's favorite pastimes. In his spare time, he also enjoys a weekly game of golf and describes his playing as "decent."
He grew up in Branson, Missouri, a picturesque area where it's easy to fall in love with nature's beauty. "I was living there before Branson was a big tourist area," Lanny remarked. "I grew up in the 60s and Roy Clark opened the first theatre there in the 70s, so I missed a lot of the changes."
Lanny earned his B.S. at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri, and then went on to Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he earned his M.R.E. It was also during this time that he married Nancy, with whom he celebrates his 43rd wedding anniversary this year.
Next, Lanny returned to the University of Missouri, Columbia, to earn his M.S.W. With degree in hand, he received a grant to work with a mental health team traveling the state providing outpatient counseling. During this time, he also was involved with a Bible study and one of the members passed Lanny's name to ORU at the time they wanted to start a Social Work program.
In January 1974, Lanny came to ORU as the first full-time faculty member in the social work program. In 1981, the program earned full accreditation, only the second program in the state to hold such a distinction at the time. In 1988, Lanny earned his Doctor of Ministry degree. In the early years he was at ORU, Dr. Endicott also started the cross-country program and coached players for eight years. In 1983, the team ranked 11th in the nation in the NCAA Cross Country Championships. He also serves as the president of the Oklahoma chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Of all the reasons Dr. Endicott enjoys ORU, the students are closest to his heart. "They are eager to learn and so focused on doing something worthwhile with their lives. They are a pleasure to teach," he remarked.
B.S. from Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri
M.R.E from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas
M.S.W. from University of Missouri, Columbia
D.Min. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Contact information: lendicott@oru.edu 918.495.6543
