Significant Gift to Communication and Media Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu

Tulsa, OK – A $600,000 gift, paired with a new Communication and Media Task Force, will allow Oral Roberts University to raise the bar in the Communication and Media Department. This represents a fresh commitment by the University to develop, train, and produce the world’s most creative and forward-thinking storytellers with a passion to lead in the field of media.

"We are excited about this wonderful investment in the future of ORU as we pursue our mission to build Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world with God’s healing," said Dr. William M. Wilson, ORU President. "ORU has always sought to be on the cutting edge of media. This generous gift, along with the establishment of the Communication and Media Task Force, will help advance our institution toward being the premier choice for Spirit-empowered communications and media students from around the world."

The seed gift of $600,000 by a generous donor will allow the University to increase staffing in the Communication and Media Department, develop new curricula that will challenge and encourage students to engage in the communication culture, and provide for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment that prepares graduates to thrive in the new media environment. The grant also provides for the beginning of the Media Leadership Institute, which will be an intensive learning experience with industry leaders, and for greater participation in film/media competitions around the world.

"As more and more of our communication becomes media-driven, it's important to stay ahead of the game," said Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez, Provost of ORU. "It's not enough just to be current anymore; you have to be on the leading edge. This new thrust for ORU's Communication and Media Department will push ORU to that leading edge and increase our global reputation for excellence, innovation, creativity, and values."

Department Chair Dr. Katherine Kelley stated: “We are thrilled with both the input of the new task force and the significant financial provision we have received. Our entire faculty is committed to pursuing excellence and equipping our students to change the world.”

The task force will advise ORU’s Communication and Media Department on strategic relationships, production consultation, and creative ways to tell powerful and engaging stories. The task force is made up of a diverse roster of industry talent that has years of experience both in front of and behind the camera and on the stage. This task force will help ORU seize greater opportunities to take new media to the uttermost bounds of the earth.

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About the Communication and Media Task Force
The Communication and Media Task Force is made up of: Nathan Ashton, producer and audio engineer; Professor Rafael Barreiro; Laura Bishop, ORU VP for University Development; Bob Keith Bonebrake, a writer, editor, and researcher; Amick Byram, performer and Founder and President of Found Entertainment; Phil Cooke, a filmmaker, writer, and media consultant; David Groves, GEB General Manager; Clay Jacobsen, director and published author; Dr. Katherine Kelley, Communications and Media Dept. Chair; Tim & Sheryl Kloehr, business owners and media and entertainment industry participants; Brett Langefels, Creative Lead at Turner Studios; Dan Rubottom of Epiphany Creative Group; LeAnne Taylor, news anchor; and Dan Wathen, a specialist in large, multi-camera television events. Other members of the Task Force will be added in the future as the vision and needs of the department continue to develop.