ORU's Golden Commencement Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu
Tulsa, OK – Oral Roberts University celebrated its 50th Commencement on Saturday,
May 6, 2017. The University conferred degrees on 753 students and an honorary 
degree on former Board of Trustees Chair Robert Dean Hoskins.
Graduates heard an inspiring message from Hobby Lobby Founder David Green. He focused the students’ attention on three important mile markers ahead of them: marriage, a Godly family and success at work. He encouraged them to put three stakes in the ground to mark their decision to make marriage last until ‘death do us part’, to raise families that will serve the Lord, and to be successful in whatever they do by being faithful to God.
“If we know the Lord and follow through on our decisions to drive these stakes into the ground, we can say as Paul said, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I’ve kept the faith’,” said Green “In doing so we will change our world.”
“We appreciate all that David Green and his family have done for the University,” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “He is a man of integrity who brought an inspiring message that our graduates can aspire to as they launch into their futures.”
Hoskins received the Doctor of Divinity for Distinguished Service in Spiritual Leadership degree. During his nine years of service on the ORU Board of Trustees, the University celebrated its largest enrollment in more than 25 years, operated debt free and in the black, and launched a College of Theology Ph.D. with an emphasis in Global Christianity.
“Robert Hoskins has served the ORU community with grace, wisdom and distinction,” said Wilson. “Rob is a brilliant missiologist with an impassioned heart who served the University during one of the busiest seasons in his own ministry. God is going to continue using Rob to impact the world in amazing ways. We welcome him as an official alum of ORU.”
Ninety nations are represented at ORU and this year Larissa Imanto Nugroho from Indonesia gave the Class of 2017 address. While celebrating her own father’s graduation from ORU 25 years ago, Nugroho encouraged her fellow graduates to ‘make no little plans’.
“Fellow graduates let us see things as they are through the lens of eternity for in God’s eyes there is no challenge that is too big and there is no deed that is too small.” said Nugroho. “Go and boast in Christ alone.”
With an estimated 7,000 in attendance, the commencement ended with Dr. Wilson’s emotional charge to the students who hold a special place in his heart as the first class he’s watched grow from freshmen to graduates.
“I hope all of you know that we are cheering for you,” said Dr. Wilson. “You have blessed us, encouraged us, challenged us, made us laugh and yes, even sometimes made us cry. Please know that we are very proud of you and your accomplishment today.”
With that, the university celebrated the golden class of graduates with a shower of balloons and confetti and fireworks on the big screen. Happy 50th ORU!
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