$62 Million
31 01 2008ORU received the remaining $62 million of Mart Green’s $70 million dollar donation to the university.
Categories : Oral Roberts University, ORU Board of Regents, Richard Roberts, SaveORU.com
ORU received the remaining $62 million of Mart Green’s $70 million dollar donation to the university.
Sources have informed us that preparations may now be in order to move all Oral Roberts Ministries operations off campus. This measure would be a major step toward the formal separation of Oral Roberts University from Oral Roberts Ministries required by the IRS.
Interestingly enough, this may also include the Abundant Life Prayer Group currently housed in the Prayer Tower. Designed by Frank Wallace, the tower was originally built as the main architectural centerpiece of the campus in addition to serving as a visitor’s center and base for the phone operations of Oral Roberts Ministries.
Sources also believe that Richard and Lindsay Roberts will most likely relocate outside the Tulsa area – possibly to Southern California.
Stay tuned to SaveORU.com for more news and analysis.
ORU is now taking steps toward becoming a financially accredited religious organization through the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Save ORU previously stated that this was a necessity in order to restore ORU’s public image with the community, alumni and donors. Link to story.
A resource panel will also help oversee the university’s transition as they search for a new president and bring the school back to sound financial footing. The committee, led by Billy Joe Daugherty, includes Karen Arutunoff, Rick Fenimore, Dr. Glenda Payas, Rick Pearson and Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations David Ellsworth.
Ralph Fagin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, will serve as interim president. Link to story.
The ORU Board of Regents have unanimously voted to accept the remaining $62 million gift from donor Mart Green. ORU will also join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, something we suggested back in October.
Green will also assume George Pearson’s position as chairman of the board of regents.
Details of Green’s Proposal Include:
(from the ORU website)
– Shared governance under a new set of bylaws which will now govern the university and keep the mission and vision intact.
– Replacement of the Board of Regents, Business and Spiritual, with a single Board of Trustees, who will govern the university in trust on behalf of its students, faculty, alumni and other stakeholders.
– Oral Roberts will continue as Chancellor of ORU and will be named a Trustee for the remainder of his life.
– Use of the $62 million donation will be determined by the Board of Trustees.
Save ORU would like to thank Mr. Green for his enormous contribution and commitment to Oral Roberts University, and believe that “The best is yet to come.”
Professor John Swails has settled his lawsuit with ORU and has been reinstated to his position. A gag order is also now in effect – attorneys and parties involved in the ORU lawsuit are forbidden from talking about the case.
Yesterday, Richard Roberts appeared on The 700 Club with Pat Robertson. He spoke about his recent ordeal at ORU, his resignation and his plans to continue in the ministry.
Roberts spoke about being the fifth choice to fill the role of the school’s second president and candidly admitted that he “never dreamed of being a college president”, but that God moved on his heart to take on the role.
When asked about the lawsuit, he reserved making comments about the case. He also reiterated that God had told him to resign and that he is trusting the Lord for direction.
“ORU changed my life,” he says. “The students and I have had a love affair for years. I love them, and they love me.”
A partial transcript and video are available at CBN.com.
Stay tuned to SaveORU.com for the latest news and analysis.
Richard Roberts will make an appearance on the 700 club today, Thursday, January 3rd, 2008.
According to cbn.com “Richard Roberts will share what the Lord has shown him about forgiveness.”
The 700 Club is broadcast live at 10:00 a.m. EST/7:00 a.m. PST on the ABC Family Channel and is airs at 12:00 p.m. PST/3:00 p.m. EST on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).