Tulsa World: Robertson offering assistance to ORU

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Robertson offering assistance to ORU

Pat Robertson

By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 11/30/2007 1:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/30/2007 10:42 AM

For more: Read the latest ORU stories, view the lawsuit and other documents and watch slide shows and video.

He’s already given money to the school, and he’s sending a team to the campus.

The televangelist Pat Robertson is adding his spiritual muscle to the growing number of people offering help to Oral Roberts University as the school weathers weeks of controversy, including the resignation of President Richard Roberts.

Robertson is also the president and chancellor of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va.

In addition to giving money to ORU recently, Robertson has been speaking with the school’s officials, offering his support and expertise on running a Christian university, said George Pearsons, the chairman of ORU’s board of regents.

“We are pleased to report that Dr. Pat Robertson has contacted members of the board of regents and has expressed interest in exploring options for the future of ORU with Regent University,” Pearsons said. “Dr. Robertson is sending a team on Monday to Tulsa to meet with ORU regents and administrative representatives.”

Founded by Robertson in 1978, Regent University — originally called CBN University — is a Christian school offering graduate and undergraduate programs.

The school’s Web site says, “Our students, faculty and administrators share

a calling, founded on biblical principles, to make a significant difference in our communities, our cities, our nation and our world.”

The two universities have had other dealings: ORU transferred its law school, which it founded in 1980, to CBN University in 1986 because of financial difficulties.

Pearsons said he talked to Robertson this week about ORU’s current status.

“Pat really wants to see the university survive and to thrive,” Pearsons said. “It was an excellent opportunity for him to step in and give us some advice and possible options.” Pearsons declined to discuss how much Robertson gave to ORU.

“On the phone with me, Pat described his love for the university and that he wants to do what he can to help out,” Pearsons said. “We are just exploring options with him and other items that have been brought to our attention.”

Pearsons said talks with Robertson are one of many avenues that have opened up for the Tulsa school. Discussions with Robertson are very preliminary, he added.

Meanwhile, Pearsons said, ORU is making progress on items brought up in an investigation of its spending and business practices.

Without being specific, he said progress had been made on policy and procedures on how ORU is managed.

ORU’s latest woes began with allegations of lavish spending by Richard Roberts and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, in addition to claims of retaliation against three former faculty members who alleged that they were fired or forced to resign for turning over to ORU officials a report containing the allegations.

The three former professors are suing the school for wrongful termination. Their attorney is Gary Richardson.

Richard Roberts resigned last week amid mounting pressure from faculty members and an investigation into ORU’s spending and business practices under his leadership.

Pearsons said more supporters are getting in touch with the school, wanting to help.

“People have just rushed to ORU’s aid in its time of need,” he said. “You just have to understand how grateful we are for all the prayers and encouragement from so many.”

ORU reportedly is $52 million in debt.

One of the school’s best hopes for financial relief is coming from Mart Green, the founder of the Mardel retail chain.

Green and his family have announced that they will donate $70 million to ORU if the school meets key requirements to rectify its administrative and operating practices.

Pearsons said Richard Roberts is dealing with the turmoil with prayer and the support of his family and the university family.

“It has been a very difficult time for Richard and Lindsay,” he said. “We just prayed for him and loved him.”

Omer Gillham 581-8301
omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com

Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent is in Virginia Beach,Va.

Motto: “Christian Leadership to Change the World”

Enrollment: 4,266

Full-time students: 1,953

Part-time students: 2,313

Alumni (April 2007): 9,617

Degrees awarded (2006): 987

Degrees and programs: 30+ graduate and undergraduate degrees

Pat Robertson

Founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)

Founder, president and chancellor of CBN University, now Regent University

Former Republican presidential candidate

By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment OHYGOSH, (11/30/2007 7:23:03 AM) I got the impression that the Green family's money was contingent on ORU getting away from the televagelists/circus/money grubbers mentality. Hopefully they will say "no" to Pat Robertson's involvement. Yet another "ministry" that my grandparents had to die to get off their hokey mailing list. PR or RR---the lesser of two evils. - Why can't ORU just be a credible Christian University? Can one even exist without the backing of an ethical, legitimate denomination? Maybe AOG?
	Report Comment Machiavelli, Houston (11/30/2007 7:19:21 AM) Once again, the timing seems "off." Where was Robertson when everything was falling apart? Now that there is a "white knight" named Mart Green, who is promising $70 million, here comes Pat Robertson with love and comfort and offers of help. With friends like that, who needs enemies? JMO Or am I missing the Grand Conspiracy? I'm not that knowledgeable about the workings of these TV evangelist pro-and-con artists. Maybe somebody can fill in the blanks for me!
	Report Comment ~sojourner, Adair (11/30/2007 7:30:28 AM) TW... Maybe you should have held off on posting this until lunch time. I can just see all the folks out there this morning choking on their cheerios as they read this article!
	Report Comment OHMYGOSH, (11/30/2007 7:33:05 AM) Mach, Houston: It's "Fleecing 101!" It is highly unlikely that RR didn't already know about the Green's offer when he resigned. I hope the Green family is watching the "spin" he is putting on all this..which came first "God" telling RR to resign or contact from the Green family. I think PR has been looking at ORU for a while..but you best believe the $$$ peaked his interest. These hucksters have a real nose for $$$$.
	Report Comment Mary, Tulsa (11/30/2007 7:37:22 AM) WoW already fear setting in on anyone having involvment of saving ORU. Well didn't all you smarty pants know when you dethrone the King that does not put you in control or in favor with the new King.
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (11/30/2007 7:11:57 AM) Now that ORU has scored a $70 million pledge from the Green family, here come the vultures. "I'm Pat Robertson, and I'm here to help!" . Mr. Green, is this the vision for ORU's future that you had when you made your pledge?
	Report Comment longtimewatcher, (11/30/2007 7:39:30 AM) NO...NO...NO... No co-mingling between ORU and Regents. This is a terrible idea.
	Report Comment Todd, ORU Alum, 1988 Business Marketing, Fort Myers, Florida (11/30/2007 7:49:27 AM) For those who consider "these nutcases" to be a thorn in your side, I beg you to remember Jesus whom you are really persecuting. In essence, every time you open up your vile mouths to curse the cause of Christians, you are putting Jesus on the cross all over again. You are putting Him on trial. Admit it, Jesus will always be the stumbling block for you. Unless you acknowledge Him as savior and lord of your life, all your words in here fall to the ground, a testament to lunacy and foolishness.
	Report Comment OMG !, (11/30/2007 7:49:27 AM) Can you say: "Regents University - West Campus" ??
	Report Comment ~sojourner, Adair (11/30/2007 7:10:45 AM) sigh
	Report Comment Fraygal, Tulsa (11/30/2007 7:10:26 AM) ORU, needs to leave well enough alone. Quit yoking up with everybody. ORU stand alone and with JESUS! I think it would be a bad move on ORU's part.
	Report Comment judyO, Springfield (11/30/2007 5:51:31 AM) God is in the Forgiveness/Changing business and who are we to say who He can fix or not. So lets move on to greater things and rise above our own judgements and let God continue to do His job as we examine ourselves.
	Report Comment Jack Evans, (11/30/2007 5:46:44 AM) WHY NOT PAT? You can have a special assassination course for bumping off foreign leaders you don't like -- Chavez (target practice each Wednesday) A business course in how to succeed in get-rich-quick "blood diamonds" deals with African dictators. An apology course for how to apologize to the Sharon family of Israel for defaming a man unconscious with a stroke. Hey, look at the broadening opportunities for learning! And God talks to Pat just as he did to RR. ORU christo-robots will LOVE that. The man's record is perfect for ORU!
	Report Comment Wheels, Tulsa (11/30/2007 5:45:35 AM) Hey all of you go to Ebay and type in Oral Roberts...stuff is flying off the shelves!!!!!
	Report Comment judy0, Springfield (11/30/2007 5:43:46 AM) Pat Robertson has a fine university and would be able to give great advice to the Regents. More power to him to be able to give advice/help.
	Report Comment Larry2, Tulsa (11/30/2007 5:32:08 AM) #2 Betty Jones ."Thank you Pat" . Thank you Betty Jones. You are the only one of ten that approves of Pat Robertson. I guess he gets a 90% disapproval rating. Makes me reexamine my thoughts on RR's rating.
	Report Comment jam, tulsa (11/30/2007 5:23:16 AM) Another goofy TV evangelist to add to the cast of characters! I hope Mart Green will move the whole kit-and-kaboodle to OKC, or better yet to Palm Springs. Tulsa doesn't need these charlatans.
	Report Comment Alan Pike, (11/30/2007 5:13:16 AM) PRINIPLES TO THE WIND? The Iowa Christian Alliance president asks Social conservatives such as Pat Robertson who back pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage candidates do a disservice to the conservative movement. At the end of the day, we have to stand for something, or our movement has no purpose.” Bring Richard back. At least he stood for something
	Report Comment Jack Evans, (11/30/2007 5:04:37 AM) FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE From one tv-evangelist family dynasty to another? ORU may keep the doors open, but it will take years to overcome it's image as a school for nut-cases, led by megalomaniac leaders and tv evangelist boards. (the chairman of the Regents is a college-drop-out. That speaks of standards?) Students weeping and shouting when RR said "God told me" is a lasting image. If RR had pointed to the kool-aid, they would have headed for it. What is it about these Christo-bots that make them go glassy-eyed and weep when someone says, "God told me." No sooner do they get rid of one hot-eyed tv evangelist, than another comes along to lead them over the cliff. What is it about Christo-bots that they need this? No wonder ORU is a laughingstock.
	Report Comment Thank you, Pat!, (11/30/2007 3:05:38 AM) Thank you, Pat Robertson! Regent is one of the finest "Christian" Universities in the country. I hope ORU will rise to the occasion. Maybe ORU will have a law program again.
	Report Comment bikegoiooie, glenpool ok (11/30/2007 2:59:42 AM) george pearson is a lier the university family does not support and pray for richard when everything got bad they turned on him like wild animals that is not what families do
	Report Comment Fifty Dollar Fine, (11/30/2007 2:13:47 AM) Republican televangelist scum bails out more republican televangelist scum. . Ho hum.
	Report Comment betty jones, (11/30/2007 2:03:56 AM) Thank you Pat Robertson. You have been a great friend to ORU. God Bless You and Richard, Lindsay, Oral and all of their family. To you girls, hang in there. God has not abandoned you.
	Report Comment Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com, Hillsboro, OR (11/30/2007 7:26:41 AM) Mart Green- . I think Pat Robertson is only interested because of the money you are bringing to the table, or Pat may just want to buy ORU at a fire-sale price in case you walk away. Pat just wants to take over, like Jerry Falwell moved-in and scooped-up Jim Bakker's PTL when PTL had their scandal. . ORU faculty- If you want true reform, stay with Mart Green. He has real business sense, and isn't like Pat Robertson selling snake oil (I mean, "Pat's age-defying pancakes" and other nonsense that gives all Christians a bad name). . I really hope Richard Roberts has a complete investigation so he can face his allegations. People like Pat Robertson are also guilty with their own problems, and just want to sweep this garbage under the carpet. Then along comes the unbelievers who like to jump on the carpet, take photo's of it, and rub it in the face of all Christians. Come on,,, let's start cleaning house! The process has started with Richard Roberts... please no one, short-circuit the process. This could be the start of a big clean-up operation involving multiple people. . Matt 18 says to confront the believer in sin, first privately, then publicaly, then disfellowship him if he still shuns responsibility. Richard Roberts is in this process, so far shunning all responsibility for his problems.
	Report Comment Uh-oh !!, (11/30/2007 7:38:45 AM) Lemme see if I have this right. An evangelist wants to help another evangelist AFTER an Angel with $70 million in their wallet comes to the rescue ? I think I'll just hold my nose and go "Pewweee !!".

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