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A 'Trustee' Perspective

By Rachel Wegner 07

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Click Photo to Enlarge Alumni enjoyed a catered meal by Ti Amo at the April 15 luncheon. (From L to R): Mary Adams, Gary Conroy and Jason Ophus.

Click Photo to Enlarge (L to R): Lloyd Hanebury, John Buchanan and George Wiland mingle during the luncheon.

Click Photo to Enlarge Trustee and alumnus Rick Fenimore spoke about the latest happenings at ORU and its many exciting prospects for the future.

The ORU Alumni Connection Luncheon held at Ti Amo on April 15 featured Board of Trustees member and 1977 alumnus Rick Fenimore. Fenimore shared about the latest happenings at ORU, offering his perspective as both a former regent and a current board member. He also took time to field questions from alumni.

"It's an exciting time to be part of Oral Roberts University," Rick Fenimore said as he greeted his fellow alumni gathered for the OAC luncheon.

Fenimore dedicated the first part of his address to reflecting on the changes that have taken place at ORU since the acceptance of the Green family proposal in January. As Mart Green and the new Board of Trustees came together and began to implement changes, Fenimore said that the Green family has made it a point to give voice to the faculty and board members in the decisions that are made for the university.

He recapped the plans to spend the $62 million gift from the Green family, which includes extensive campus and dormitory renovations, staff and faculty raises and paying down part of the university's debt. Although ORU had been considering other plans to get out of debt before the gift was accepted, Fenimore said the Green family's proposal became the best possible option for the ORU community. With the onset of the Renewing the Vision $25 million matching campaign, he said the university is well on its way to economic sustainability.

Fenimore also pointed out that nine out of 19 members of the new Board of Trustees are alumni, and three of those individuals (himself included) served on the former Board of Regents.

"The Greens are very respectful of the ORU DNA that we have as alumni, and that thread of 'institutional memory' that we bring to the table," Fenimore said.

At the end of the luncheon, Fenimore and University Relations Vice President David Wagner answered questions that alumni posed. Together, they spoke of plans that are in motion to maintain the spiritual direction of the university, in light of the separation from OREA. They also answered questions about new marketing efforts for ORU, the role of the Green family in the university and the presidential search process.

The next OAC luncheon will be held on Friday, June 6, featuring Board Chair Mart Green as the keynote speaker. For more details and registration information for this luncheon, visit here.