Oral Roberts University Celebrates 10 Years of Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, September 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 – Oral Roberts University announces ten consecutive years of enrollment growth as an expanding number of students from around the world seek the whole person education offered at ORU. The University officially welcomed over 4,000 students for the fall semester of 2018. Along with the 4,053 students taking classes for credit, ORU also has over 2,000 more studying in certificate programs.

“Ten years of growth is unusual in private Christian higher education,” said ORU President Dr. William Wilson. “If you include those enrolled in certificate programs, we have over 6,000 students engaged in some sort of Spirit-empowered whole person education at ORU, setting an all-time record for the University. I am incredibly grateful for God’s provision and faithfulness over the past decade.”
 
Not only did ORU continue its consistent growth this year, but the University also welcomed students from all 50 states and 103 nations, up from 100 last year. Some of the new nations include Bhutan, Chad, Greece, and Senegal. The top nations represented at ORU are Nigeria, India, South Korea, China and Brazil. The top five states are Oklahoma, Texas, California, Florida and Colorado.
 
“We are reaching out to students all across the globe and it’s having an impact,” said Dr. Nancy Brainard, Vice President of Enrollment Management. “We are not only seeing growth in residential enrollment but also in online enrollment. ORU has a lot to offer anyone of any age, anywhere in the world, who is interested in earning a college degree.”
ORU is also seeing success in its retention rates. 84% of ORU freshmen returned as sophomores, while 85% of ORU sophomores returned for their junior year, making for some of the school's highest student retention numbers in recent history.
 
Students of all ages are taking advantage of what ORU offers. The University welcomed two 15-year-old Biomedical Chemistry majors, while the University’s oldest student taking online courses is 83. ORU also has a 77-year-old Doctor of Ministry student.

“ORU’s growth is obvious all across campus as construction on the new apartment-style housing is fully underway, new intramural fields are almost complete, and the 263 acres are buzzing with activity,” said Wilson. “We are excited to continue the growth and focus of our mission: building ‘Holy Spirit-empowered leaders to impact the world with God’s healing.’”