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Atlanta Alums Meet New ORU Leader
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At a breakfast in Atlanta on June 6, alumni had the opportunity to meet ORU's new president, Dr. Mark Rutland. He was a big hit.
Although his official start date is July 1, Rutland has wasted no time when it comes to learning what makes ORU tick. He told an attentive crowd that enrollment is one of his top priorities, and announced that the number of students set to enroll this fall is up. Now, that's good news!
Rutland's positive attitude shone through when Gary Pernice 81 asked, "What are the challenges?" and the new president answered that ORU has good momentum going to counter the depressed economy, and "miracles are happening."
Holly Moore 86-MA asked, "How can we best pray?" Rutland answered, "Constantly," and then provided a list of needs: finances, vision, leadership, wisdom and anointing, and spiritual/physical/emotional strength.
Sonia (Milner) Adams 97-MA said that hearing Rutland talk about servant leadership resonated with her. Evan 01 and Priscilla (Flagg) 03 Black, looking back at the event, wrote, "We love ORU and are excited to do our part to help the university continue to thrive."
In a thoughtful e-mail to the breakfast hostess, Alumni Director Natalie Bounds-Adams 88, author Obi Chidebelu-Eze 92 said, "Dr. Rutland shared some valuable insights into why he was selected, what needs to be done and a few visionary actions for the future. I appreciated his transparency and his desire to make bridges and provide the leadership ORU deserves and needs. I was very impressed that he spoke to me in my native language of Igbo, and that elevated him way up there in terms of people I have met. ORU has a gift in him and his wife, Alison, who is truly his helpmate and his spiritual bifocal vision. It was destiny that I was in the Atlanta Room at the Hyatt in Marietta to partake in what he shared, and be a witness to the genesis of his servant leadership legacy at ORU. ORU is in good hands and the school, Dr. Rutland and the Green family have my support."
Watch for an alumni event in a city near you. At this time, we plan to visit Virginia Beach (June 19 and 20), Boston (June 27), Houston (July 1), Gaylord, Mich. (July 25-golf event), Chicago (Aug. 1), Dallas (Aug. 15), Los Angeles (Oct. 11), Woodridge, Ill. (Oct. 17), and Austin (Oct. 23). Board Chair Mart Green and Dr. Rutland will participate in some of these events.
More details soon!
