20130423_ORU_commencement_speaker
Dr. Mark Rutland Speaks at ORU Commencement
Chandler Elmore '14
Dr. Mark Rutland was the keynote speaker at the 2013 Oral Roberts University commencement
ceremony, which was held on Saturday, May 04, at the Mabee Center. It was Rutland's
last time to speak to the outgoing class of more than 700 graduates.
Rutland is a distinguished educator, charismatic leader, business man and a nationally
recognized figure in Christian higher education. Under his leadership, ORU has experienced
an unprecedented turnaround including: eliminating $55 million in long-term debt;
completing $50 million in campus renovations; securing over $12 million in funding
for the Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center; achieving four consecutive years of enrollment
growth and three consecutive years of freshman retention over 80%; and welcoming the
largest freshman class in 10 years.
Rutland and his wife, Alison, are the founders of Global Servants, a worldwide, nonprofit missions and ministry organization that is dedicated to changing lives through the power and truth of God’s Word. Through this ministry, the Rutlands have reached thousands of people worldwide through crusades, seminars, camps, books, tapes, local evangelism projects, church planting, and leadership training.
ORU’s commencement ceremony may be viewed online at www.oru.edu/commencement2013.