20110926_succesion_planning
ORU Presidential Succession Plan commissioned by Board of Trustees
The Oral Roberts University Board of Trustees announced that it has commissioned its Leadership Committee to facilitate a long-term succession plan for the office of president, currently held by Dr. Mark Rutland, age 63.
"One responsibility of the governing board of a university is to ensure stability through leadership transitions," said Mart Green, chair of the ORU Board of Trustees. "The timeline for the succession plan will be put in place over the coming months."
"After more than 30 years leading organizations, I feel it will be time in the next year or two to transition from day-to-day executive leadership into a new phase in my career," said Rutland. "I am eager to work with the board to make this process as effective as possible for the long-term benefit of the university."
Since the new Board of Trustees was established in 2008, and during Dr. Rutland's three years at ORU, the university has experienced an unprecedented turnaround. These milestones have included eliminating $55 million in long-term debt; completing $40 million in campus renovations; securing over $10.3 million in funding for the Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center, which will break ground in January 2012; achieving three consecutive years of enrollment growth and two consecutive years of freshman retention over 80%; and completing the 2011 fiscal year with positive cash flow.
"We are looking forward to a long standing relationship with Dr. Rutland. He brings tremendous value and leadership to the university, something we expect will continue for years to come," said Green.