Tulsa World: 50 names entered for ORU top job

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50 names entered for ORU top job

By APRIL MARCISZEWSKI World Staff Writer
Published: 7/8/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 8/18/2008 11:42 AM

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

No deadline is set on resumes, the search consultant says.

More than 50 people have been suggested for or have shown interest in the Oral Roberts University presidency, according to the presidential search consultant.

ORU leaders hope to hire a new president by next summer, although consultant Bruce Dingman, president of The Dingman Co. Inc., said the university is not creating an artificial deadline for accepting resumes.

"It's not just a career decision, but it's also a spiritual decision for people, so we cannot say when God is going to tell somebody it's time to raise their hand," Dingman said.

ORU is looking for a new president following Richard Roberts' resignation last fall after intense publicity over lawsuits, which raised allegations he misspent university money and poorly managed the school — allegations he denied. ORU's board of regents was replaced by a board of trustees, which has reported it is working to stabilize ORU's finances and to institute shared responsibility among trustees, administrators and faculty.

A list of presidential qualifications, posted recently at www.tulsaworld.com/dingmanORU,was

created with input from ORU constituencies, including alumni, professors, students and others, Dingman said.

Rhae Buckley, a member of the presidential search committee and chairman of the ORU Alumni Association board of directors, said he thinks the most important qualification is servant-leadership.

"It's important for ORU because that's the original vision: It was birthed under bringing God's word to the uttermost ends of the earth, so it's important that that continue," Buckley said.

He and Dingman both said they thought the presidential search was going well. Buckley has talked with people who are enthusiastic about the job.

"It's a great position, a great university — lots of interest," he said.

The job description calls for a man or woman who has had a "significant leadership position in a fairly large, complex organization" and who is a good speaker, "devoted Christian," planner, visionary, team-builder and good fundraiser, among many more qualifications.

The job explanation also describes a president who would serve as a role model, "living a Spirit-filled life, practicing the prayer language. "

The spiritual practice of speaking in tongues is common and encouraged at ORU. At the same time, "the president should not be denominationally focused, but rather, inclusive."

Desired, rather than required, characteristics include a person who will "foster an environment of open communication and academic freedom and dispel the climate of fear that has developed among the faculty and staff," the job explanation continues.

Roberts was accused last fall of creating a "culture of fear" on campus; he said he did not intend to create such a culture, if such a culture existed.

April Marciszewski 581-8475
april.marciszewski@tulsaworld.com By APRIL MARCISZEWSKI World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Isaac Parker, Tulsa (7/8/2008 6:07:33 AM) Is "speaking in tongues" a job requirement? Do applicants have to display this ability in a job interview?
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (7/8/2008 8:08:54 AM) Oh my. This isn't going to end well.
	Report Comment ORU_TXAlum, (7/8/2008 8:09:04 AM) "At the same time, "the president should not be denominationally focused, but rather, inclusive." Just read :)
	Report Comment Buckley, (7/8/2008 8:16:56 AM) Call me cynical but I think the President will eventually be an 'insider' or a semi-retire evangelist. The 'job requirement' reads like ORU doesn't know whowhat it is.
	Report Comment plain guy, (7/8/2008 9:29:02 AM) Does this mean the rats get to return to the ship? Benny Hinn et al? Let the crazy games begin! Seriously, I hope the next to helm this ship keeps the crew/students foremost in their aims of religious education and not as servant/stewards to the captain and his first (or second) mate.
	Report Comment peelumba, (7/8/2008 10:03:25 AM) heck i could do it, just keep the robert's hand off the driving wheel and out of the cookie jar! Peelumba for Pres!
	Report Comment Ladybug, Tulsa (7/8/2008 4:12:02 PM) I pray that the Lord provides just the right person for this position. It is unfortunate that the Roberts family has been attacked so many times by lies. I would suggest to those that want to cast stones, not to believe all the bad media. The media likes to take one accusation and run with it. Its good business for them as the expense of great spiritual leaders.
	Report Comment Observer3, T.B.D. (7/8/2008 5:09:53 PM) Ladybug: You need to pull your head out of the sand and face facts. The Robertses nearly caused the total downfall of ORU. Why do you think they're out of there--along with many Board members? I hope you're not sending money to those con artists.
	Report Comment canned applesauce, (7/8/2008 8:32:24 PM) Ladybug--did you mean "at" the expense of great spiritual leaders? And who would be the great spiritual leaders??? They are Prosperity Pimps.
	Report Comment truth4freedom, (7/8/2008 9:06:43 PM) Good for ORU! I am excited to see who is chosen for this important position. This school is one of Tulsa's most valuable assets and I believe the good news will keep on coming from this university.
	Report Comment Ladybug, Tulsa (7/8/2008 9:38:01 PM) My head is not in the sand. I have seen first hand the good things they have done for others including myself. I know and believe in this university but most of al I believe in their ministry. The Roberst are great spiritual leaders and they are NOT con artist. It is really naive to believe everything you read in the paper.
	Report Comment debra, (7/8/2008 11:45:57 PM) Ladybug, I have been in the Roberts home professional and on a personal level. They are thieves and liars. Richard is a the ultimate definition of a narcissitic personality. Lindsey is the ultimate definiton of a manic depressive. They should have been removed a long time ago.
	Report Comment red, (7/9/2008 12:48:50 AM) phil, I totally agree. To many want to get off topic.
	Report Comment gizmo, Tulsa (7/9/2008 10:09:35 AM) To LadyBug: Richard and Lindsay have been 86'd from ORU. So, it doesn't matter what any of us think about them in relation to the University. They are history. Thank goodness.
	Report Comment Ladybug, Tulsa (7/9/2008 1:21:56 PM) Believe what you want. Guess we have to agree to disagree where the Roberts family is concerned. I think it is a shame. Debra, sorry you had bad experience with them. I have had good experience with the Roberts. God is our ultimate judge.
	Report Comment Faith Mom, Virginia Beach (7/9/2008 3:25:02 PM) Pretty serious allegations, Debra. No hesitation to publicly defame either. Hardly seems like a reasonable opinion. Maybe you have issues that need attention. In the case that you have any valid complaints, forgiveness will help you put it behind you and rid you of such bitterness and resentment. It is not healthy.
	Report Comment deweydoright, (7/9/2008 4:20:02 PM) I hear that a"movie shoot" is going to be filmed on the ORU campus next year.The film is titled "Sex and the country".(a spinoff from "Sex and the city")The movie is based on the polygamist compound in East Texas.Sick if you ask me.
	Report Comment lemikman, (7/14/2008 7:14:00 PM) Hey, Joe-Allen Doty! Are you a graduate of ORU? Are you related to Dale Doty? Just endeavoring to understand where you are coming from with your comments?
	Report Comment Fifty Dollar Fine, (7/18/2008 12:56:15 PM) "The president must be a devoted Christian tuned to God through the inner working of the Holy Spirit, well-equipped to serve as the spiritual leader of the ORU community. The president is expected to be an individual who practices the prayer language." More "spiritual leaders" = more cult behavior. What does tongue talking have to do with educating students?? Same old cult, different semester.

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