Living The Legacy: Tyson Granddaughter Maintains Family's ORU Ties

Rev. Tommy Tyson was a titan of ministry, a close friend of Oral Roberts, and the first ever Director of the Department of Spiritual Life at ORU.

And his legacy lives on at ORU through his granddaughter, Mary Kathryn Tyson, a current seminary student who also works in the College of Theology and Ministry.

"At the time I came to school here, I was older. So my plan was to get in and get out, not look to the left or the right, just keep my eyes on the prize," Tyson says. "Sure enough, when this job came up, I fought taking it. I was upset that it was going to derail my plan of getting in and out!"

Fortunately for both Tyson and ORU, she accepted the opportunity to work for the university as the Administrative Secretary for the Theology Department while continuing her education. She began her job in 2013.

"The best part about being here and the reason why I've stayed so long, are the students and faculty that I work with. So much of my own spiritual formation is because of my students. I came for my education, but I've stayed because it ministers to me to be here with them."

Much like her grandfather, Tyson relishes her role in helping to shape the spiritual lives of the students who come to her office. They visit her for practical help, but often wind up engaging in deeper conversations about their faith and their future.

"My job, my calling, is to create space for people to belong and know they're okay," Tyson says. "But every student who comes in, I get to share their story with them and know who they are. People need to know they belong and are seen, that they matter not only to God, but also to others. Life in ministry is not about Christian fame, it's about who you are as a person."