Tulsa World: Green announces another donation to ORU

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Green announces another donation to ORU

In this file photo Mart Green speaks at the Tulsa Press Club back in May 2008. Green and his family announced an additional $10 million donation to ORU on Friday. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World File

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 1/30/2009 9:40 AM
Last Modified: 1/30/2009 12:48 PM

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Oral Roberts University Board Chairman Mart Green and his family have donated $10 million to the university for campus renovations this summer, the university announced Friday

“This gift will help to improve the quality of education for students at the new ORU,” Green said in a statement released Friday morning. “Our family is excited to continue partnering with ORU financially to ensure this great university continues to provide an excellent, whole-person education.”

On Thursday, the Green family donated $10 million through it's Hobby Lobby store chain to Southeastern University in Florida. That university's president was named president of ORU on Wednesday and will begin on July 1.

In 2007, the Greens rescued ORU from financial trouble.

The university was then $55 million in debt, with a $70 million donation contingent on new principles of shared governance and financial transparency. The debt is now down to about $13 million.

Last summer, the university spent $10.4 million to update the campus. Changes included remodeling the library, a new gazebo, added walkways, and rewiring and new appliances for dorm rooms.

This summer's projects have not been determined yet. By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment MMORU, (1/30/2009 9:50:54 AM) God Bless the Green Family!!!
	Report Comment ORU_TXAlum, (1/30/2009 9:59:39 AM) This is incredible news. As alumni, my and wife just gave a donation ourselves. Exciting times in Golden Eagle land!
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (1/30/2009 10:01:07 AM) "My and my wife"? Great education there.
	Report Comment coprau, Tulsa (1/30/2009 10:18:35 AM) I thinc it was a typpo.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (1/30/2009 10:23:06 AM) LOL coprau!
	Report Comment MMORU, (1/30/2009 10:36:41 AM) You guys can't give a guy a break! LOL Great time to be at ORU! Things are going the right direction now.
	Report Comment zzx375, BA (1/30/2009 10:42:42 AM) Waiting for the naysayers to show up...
	Report Comment ORU_TXAlum, (1/30/2009 10:43:06 AM) haha alright...alright My wife and I*
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (1/30/2009 10:56:49 AM) Is it my imagination or has anyone else noticed that the new President of ORU looks like Richard Roberts? That could be a bad omen. :-) But I wish him great success and success to ORU.
	Report Comment Its Chon, (1/30/2009 10:59:43 AM) I am thrilled about the announcement of the Green's most recent donation to the university, but it also makes me nervous. For ORU to undergo real transformation, more alumni and many more families will have to champion the cause as well. The Greens alone cannot ensure "economic sustainability" for the university.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (1/30/2009 11:00:09 AM) I agree with Dempsey Coker about Richard & Lindsey being taken off Golden Eagle Broadcasting. Actually I'm amazed ANYONE would even watch their shows. Of course, after the debacle of Jim & Tammy Faye Baker back in the 1980's, after Jim was out of prison, he was able to draw crowds at his prayer concerts or whatever you want to call them. I guess W. C. Fields was correct...there is a sucker born every minute.
	Report Comment Bonzi, (1/30/2009 11:17:07 AM) "My and my wife"? Great education there. Your education's showing as well, Arbythree. Original quote is "My and wife. . . "
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (1/30/2009 11:22:45 AM) Touche' Bonzi!
	Report Comment ORUTerry, (1/30/2009 11:47:48 AM) It is a new day at ORU.... I am amazed and thankful for the Green family's continued generosity. They are an example for all of us.
	Report Comment Better Than, (1/30/2009 12:08:00 PM) I wished the Green family could have saved some jobs for the ones that lost jobs recently but it's great news for OUR and Tulsa.
	Report Comment MMORU, (1/30/2009 12:20:25 PM) only me... you made a good point. However, sometimes you have to train people to fish instead of just giving them fish. I think the Green family believes that ORU students can go out into the world and accomplish more than just one family. The Green family is awesome and their hearts are an example for all.
	Report Comment Tbone, (1/30/2009 12:32:40 PM) When I was growing up we called it Buck Rogers U because of the architecture. I remember my favorite building was the one that looked like Darth Vaders helmet buried in the ground...It got torn down or remodeled or something. Anyone know which building I’m thinking of?
	Report Comment Its Chon, (1/30/2009 1:09:37 PM) I'm not sure, Tbone, maybe you are referring to every single building on campus? Haha
	Report Comment fumblerooski, tulsa (1/30/2009 2:55:02 PM) does anyone know when they are going to change the name to Green U. or the University of Hobby Lobby.
	Report Comment Classics, (1/30/2009 3:16:29 PM) Wow! This guy must really believe in ORU. For the people that think he's giving too much, his gift pails in comparisson to both the amount of his family's net worth as well as the millions that Boone T have given OSU or the gifts that OU receive at times. This is phenominal for ORU. I don't believe that they have ever had anything like this in their history.
	Report Comment Cov, Okmulgee (1/30/2009 3:33:14 PM) Now that is an economic stimulus in which I can believe will help. Teachers keep jobs and students get a quality education. As to the food pantry idea...I am involved with that type of outreach. True it helps but securing ORU helps Tulsa in multiple waves. I don't think folks realize how much of a financial boost ORU has on that part of the town. For example, students come from all over including other countries. They spend cash at WalMart, etc. The nay sayers can beat on ORU till they are blue but it does not change the fact that the ORU campus helps the Tulsa economy.
	Report Comment ORUisHome, tulsa (1/31/2009 8:15:36 PM) True statement Cov.I am thrilled to hear Mr. Green playing such a huge role in the growth of ORU. I am so proud to graduate from a school that is named after a man who poured his heart and soul into the bettering of humanity, Oral Roberts. ORU's best days are ahead of them.

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