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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ORU WORLDWIDE FAMILY

FROM ORU BOARD CHAIR MART GREEN

Dear Friends,

ORU recently marked its first 100 days under new leadership. Having reached this milestone, I wanted to take a moment and recap what has been achieved in such a short - yet crucial - period of time.

On Jan. 30, 2008, a plan was implemented to provide new leadership and to establish a new governing body: the ORU Board of Trustees. The new board, comprised of 19 leaders in the fields of ministry, education and business, has been diligently pursuing the task of achieving a major turnaround for the university.

Outlined below are the actions taken by the new board since its inception in February:


  • A $62 million gift has enabled ORU to pay down $30 million in debt. In the coming months, the remaining $32 million will help with long-deferred maintenance projects such as dorm renovations, increased financial aid for this fall's new and returning students, upgrades in the technology and academic programs, faculty and staff compensation increases and recruitment.

  • A "Renewing the Vision" $25 million matching gift campaign has been launched which will provide additional funds for:

      Student recruitment and retention
      Scholarships and other financial aid
      Operational expenses
      University and departmental refurbishments, renovations and upgrades
      Technology upgrades
      Academic enhancements focused on faculty and staff development

    This is a matching gift campaign. The ORU Board of Trustees will match every gift, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $25 million. These funds will be used to pay the remainder of the university's debt.

  • The trustees have appointed a nine-member committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees to conduct the ORU Presidential Search in conjunction with the Dingman Co. Inc., a search consulting service headquartered in California. Trustees hope to have a new president in place by or before the summer of 2009.

  • Trustees have made significant progress in the separation of the university from the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and plan for the ministry to move off campus by early summer.

  • ORU is in the process of retaining a higher education consultant who specializes in recruitment and retention of students.

The trustees are committed to the original founding vision of ORU as they strive to rebuild and restore trust but most importantly, to better serve our students.

I am more than encouraged about the future of ORU; I am exhilarated. There is a great deal of positive momentum that will drive the university forward for decades to come. ORU will be even better prepared to send out graduates, like you, who will make a difference for the Kingdom of God in a multitude of industries and locations.

We are so grateful for your prayers and continued support as we build a new and exciting era for ORU. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mart Green
ORU Board Chair

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