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Developing Whole Leaders for the whole World

ORU Welcomes Directors of the International Center and Alumni Relations

Excitement is building at Oral Roberts University with the incoming 50th freshman class. Two new additions to the ORU team are fitting on the first day of classes for this academic year. President William M. Wilson is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Marcela Chaván, who will serve as director of the newly formed International Center, and Robert Beard, who will serve as director of alumni relations.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Chaván and Bob into the ORU community as we continue to position our teams for global success,” said Wilson. “The great experience each of them brings to their respective areas will be a wonderful asset to the university as we expand our efforts to bring whole person education to students around the world.”

ORU’s International Center will help international students acclimate to ORU’s Tulsa campus, share information about global cultures with the student body and work with students to provide global learning opportunities abroad. The center will serve as a key component in increasing the global culture on ORU’s campus. As Director of the International Center, Chaván will also participate in the university’s academic thrust toward globalization.

ChavanChaván has more than 20 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has extensive experience managing non-profit, educational and faith-based organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Her academic career has led her to work as Director for the Center of Latino Leadership, Associate Director of International Programs and International Programs Manager at Regent University. In these roles she successfully implemented programs for both traditional and non–traditional students.

Chaván earned a Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University a Master of Arts from the Church of God Theological Seminary, Master of Arts in Social Communication (equiv.) and a Bachelor in Mass Communication (equiv.) from the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina. She will begin her new role on September 1, 2014.

As the Director of Alumni Relations, Beard will be responsible for developing relationships and creating engagement opportunities with ORU alumni around the globe. He will provide strategic leadership in creating a comprehensive progBeardram that strengthens alumni connections with Oral Roberts University. Additionally, Beard will be responsible for all alumni events and alumni-related special projects.

“The ORU Alumni Board is excited to welcome Bob into his new role at the university,” said ORU Alumni Board Chair Chris Busch. “His pursuit of excellence in education has led him to great heights and we are excited to see what the future holds.”

Beard has more than 26 years of experience as a professional educator, corporate executive and fundraiser with a p roven record for leading high-performin g teams, facilitating change, coordinating activities and surpassing goals. His background includes extensive experience in curriculum development, grant writing and donor expansion. Throughout his career, Beard has worked as the Development Executive at the Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Tulsa, Vice President of Training and Development at American Airlines and Principal at Metro Christian Academy High School in Tulsa. He serves as Board President for Armored Outreach and is a Board Member for the Friends to Friends Project.

Beard earned his Masters of Education in School Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from ORU. He will begin his new role on August 18, 2014.

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