Yesterday, Oral Roberts passed away. Moments after I returned to my desk from a luncheon with over 40 other ORU alumni, the news came in. It was a shock, of course, and I had little time to let it sink in. Within minutes, I sent out an e-mail to the 14,000 alumni for whom I have e-mail addresses and then I had one minute to get to a meeting where I needed to give an alumni update to colleagues who came in town for a two-day training session. After I returned from that session, the calls and e-mails were coming in. The memorial service information had not been given to us yet, so I had little to tell alumni who were searching for answers. Many people who called in wanted to share their heart, and I am glad I could be there to mourn with them.
How will our chancellor’s death affect ORU? Only time will tell. We will mourn our loss, and at the same time rejoice that he is in heaven. I read the Tulsa World news release and the reader’s comments posted below. I was amazed at the harshness of the world. I wonder how people who have no personal knowledge or relationship with Oral Roberts or ORU say such hurtful and untrue things – especially at a time like this. To me, it’s the evidence of a miserable existence when one can conjure up such awful thoughts and then subject others to their venomous expression. It truly negatively affects the experience of the other readers - comments containing appreciation, sorrow, and other truly heartfelt emotions.
Alumni support has been incredible. Alumni are returning to Tulsa from all over the U.S. So many people have been touched by Oral Roberts, and I consider myself blessed to have been touched personally by his life and his ministry.
January 12, 2010 at 1:53 am |
The experience alone of receiving my education in such an environment is memorable by itself. Often what I recall equally moving is the sensation I felt when I no longer had the “covering” and weekly participation on campus.
I attended ORU from 1988 to 1993. I had the priviledge of being in a class taught in the Mabee Center by Oral Roberts. I often left the building with tears in my eyes from the annointing “teachings” of Chancellor Roberts. Never heard anyone tell a story like he could.