Oral Roberts University Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Campus == [[File:Learning Resource Center - Graduate Center on the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|right|Main campus building, the Learning Resource and Graduate centers]] The campus began construction in 1963 with a [[Futurist architecture|futuristic]] look and architecture, which historian Margaret Grubiak noted as being inspired by the [[Century of Progress|1933 Chicago World's Fair]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel D. Isgrigg |date=October 14, 2020 |url=https://danieldisgrigg.com/2020/10/14/oruarchitecture/%7C |title=The Architectural Inspiration for Oral Roberts University}}</ref> Architects Stanfield, Imel & Walton of Tulsa designed the 1963 master plan, but most of the buildings were designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace.<ref>[http://www.tulsahistory.org/events/deco_tours.htm Tulsa Historical Society Art Deco Tours 2001] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704182647/http://www.tulsahistory.org/events/deco_tours.htm |date=July 4, 2008 }}</ref> In 1981, the [[City of Faith Medical and Research Center]] opened. The buildings were south of the ORU campus, and were originally built as a 60-story clinic, a 30-story hospital, and a 20-story research center. The original tenants left in 1989 because of [[Finance|financial]] problems and a lack of demand for medical services. As of 2007, some floors (in the 20-story building) have never been leased. The facility is now mostly leased out as [[commerce|commercial]] [[office]] space under the name [[CityPlex Towers]]. A 60 ft (18.2 m), 30 [[ton]] bronze sculpture ''Healing Hands'', by sculptor Leonard McMurray (cast in [[Ciudad Juárez|Ciudad Juárez, Mexico]] in 1980) and originally in front of the towers, was moved to the ORU campus entrance in the summer of 1991.<ref>Tulsa World ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=240903&archive=yes Moving hands]'' retrieved October 9, 2009</ref> By 2007, the campus was described as "a perfect representation of the popular modernistic architecture of the time... the set of ''[[The Jetsons]]''" but also "shabby" and "dated, like [[Walt Disney|Disney's]] [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]]."<ref name=autogenerated1>Justin Juozapavicius, Associated Press, ''[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9XJtq8scoszIFZLWUjrR8mPuBFQD8S38PR80 Scandal Brewing at Oral Roberts U.]'', October 5, 2007, retrieved October 7, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011040106/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9XJtq8scoszIFZLWUjrR8mPuBFQD8S38PR80 |date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hts11eOY7H11NnIWiVKcH4wZJt2QD8SPM0OO0 |title=Oral Roberts' Son Accused of Misspending |agency=Associated Press |date=November 8, 2007 |access-date=December 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111161744/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hts11eOY7H11NnIWiVKcH4wZJt2QD8SPM0OO0 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref>Carlisle's Case Studies, ''[http://www.carlisle-syntec.com/index.cfm?act=case_study_detail&Press_ID=523 Oral Roberts University Fights Back with Help from Carlisle SynTec] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012195328/http://carlisle-syntec.com/index.cfm?act=case_study_detail&Press_ID=523 |date=October 12, 2007 }}'' March 19, 2007, retrieved October 7, 2007</ref> Interviewed in 2010, Wallace characterized his ORU buildings as "sculptures", noting that an inspiration for his artistic sensibility was "whittling since I was a kid".<ref>Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20100929_32_E1_CUTLIN175896 "ORU architect's home to be auctioned"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', September 29, 2010.</ref> It has also been suggested that the buildings may have been inspired by Tulsa's [[art deco]] architectural heritage,<ref>For more detail regarding Tulsa's art deco heritage, see [[List of Art Deco buildings in Tulsa, Oklahoma]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moderntulsa.net/index.php/archive/oru-tulsa-oral-roberts-university-oral-roberts-architecture-modern-university-modern-architecture|title=''Modern Tulsa'' blog archive for ORU|access-date=September 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201164639/http://www.moderntulsa.net/index.php/archive/oru-tulsa-oral-roberts-university-oral-roberts-architecture-modern-university-modern-architecture|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> along with [[Bruce Goff]]'s individualistic style and creative use of new materials.<ref>[http://www.okmag.com/index.cfm?id=44&homepageid=36 "A Century of Structures,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010060353/http://www.okmag.com/index.cfm?id=44&homepageid=36 |date=October 10, 2007 }} from ''Oklahoma Magazine'' (retrieved July 18, 2008).</ref> Maintenance of the many unique but aging buildings, structures, and architectural details on campus was cited as a growing problem for the university.<ref>Lost Tulsa, ''[http://www.losttulsa.com/2006/02/oral-roberts-university-in-decay-as.html Oral Roberts University in Decay]'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184010/http://losttulsa.com/2006/02/oral-roberts-university-in-decay-as.html |date=October 12, 2007 }}', February 10, 2006, retrieved October 7, 2007</ref> In 2008, $10 million was set aside from Green family donations for long-deferred maintenance on many campus buildings, along with the Prayer Tower. The Green family donated another $10 million for work during the summer of 2009.<ref>ORU press release, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203248/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=991&intNav= Green Family Commits $10 million for Summer Renovations]'', January 29, 2009, retrieved February 19, 2008</ref> In 2011, the Prayer Tower was renovated and returned to its original function as a place for prayer.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sherman |first=Bill |date=April 16, 2011 |title=ORU's heavenly view |url=https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/orus-heavenly-view/article_60b98a64-da96-56ca-ae84-9b5ee61a3b81.html |website=[[Tulsa World]]}}</ref> ORU opened its Global Learning Center and the ONEOK Sports Complex, a track stadium with tennis courts in 2017.<ref>[https://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/oru-celebrates-grand-opening-of-global-learning-center/article_33938ad0-eb05-5076-8683-7782c5e1be71.html ORU celebrates grand opening of Global Learning Center]</ref><ref>[https://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/college/oru/oru-dedicates-track-stadium-and-tennis-courts-at-oneok-sports-complex/article_e91b865e-5d2e-5241-8d9b-5c2cd131e1b5.html ORU dedicates track stadium and tennis courts at ONEOK Sports Complex]</ref> The campus added its first student housing since 1976, the Niko Njotorahardjo Residence Hall, in 2019. It also started a $75 million fund for scholarships and campus expansion.<ref>[https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/oru-celebrates-new-housing-with-ribbon-cutting ORU celebrates new housing with ribbon cutting]</ref><ref>[https://ktul.com/news/local/oral-roberts-university-launches-75m-campaign-for-scholarships-campus-expansion Oral Roberts University launches $75M campaign for scholarships, campus expansion]</ref> [[File:Howard Prayer Tower.jpg|thumb|Howard Auditorium and the Prayer Tower (the gas flame at the top of the tower is barely visible in this photograph)]] The front entrance onto campus is a divided, landscaped roadway, originally called The Avenue of Flags and now renamed Billy Joe Daugherty circle, lined with lighted flags representing the more than 60 nations from which ORU students have come. The main academic building is the [[John Decatur Messick|John D. Messick]] Learning Resource Center / Marajen Chinigo Graduate Center, an immense 900,000 square foot (80,000 m<sup>2</sup>) facility with many pylon-like columns, gold-tinted windows and a [[Lozenge (shape)|lozenge]]-shaped [[Surface area|footprint]] that university publicity says was styled after [[Solomon's Temple|King Solomon's Temple]]. The Howard Auditorium is a gold, [[Buckminster Fuller]]-style geodesic dome used for movies, theatre productions, classes and seminars. Biweekly university chapel services are held in Christ's Chapel, a 3,500-seat building constructed in drape-like fashion as an echo of Oral Roberts's early tent [[Christian revival|revivals]]. The [[Googie]] style [[Prayer Tower]] at the center of campus was intended to resemble "an abstract [[Christian cross|cross]] and [[Crown of Thorns]]" and also houses a [[visitor center]]. The [[Mabee Center]] is an 11,000-seat arena on the southwestern edge of campus and is used for basketball games, concerts, church services and satellite television productions. Timko-Barton Hall houses musical and theatrical performance halls as well as classrooms devoted to the university's programs in the performing arts. The building's performance halls are often the scene of concerts and recitals by performing arts students. The [[Kenneth H. Cooper]] Aerobics Center houses basketball courts, an elevated running track, a free-weights and exercise room, a swimming pool and classrooms for students who are enrolled in [[Health Fitness|health fitness]] courses (a requirement for all students). J.L. Johnson Stadium is a 2,200 seat baseball stadium located on the north of the campus. The [[Armand Hammer]] Alumni-Student Center was designed by KSQ Architects, PC, and constructed and completed in 2013. It is the first building to be built on the ORU campus in decades. It totes the largest TV in Oklahoma, a "living room" for students, a gaming center equipped with [[Wii]]s and [[Xbox]]<nowiki/>es, pool tables, ping pong, and more. The building is a modern design fitting for the campus. Students also enjoy addition restaurants and a coffee shop. The Armand Hammer Student-Alumni Center also houses student government offices as well as board rooms for special meetings. No classes meet in this building; it is strictly for the use and enjoyment of the student body. The Hamill Student Center is between Ellis Melvin Roberts and Claudius Priscilla Roberts Halls and houses restaurants on its lower level. Zoppelt Auditorium is on the ground level and is often used as a lecture hall for classes, forums and special events. Campus Security and the "Fireside Room" are also on ground level with the university cafeteria (called "Saga" by students) on the upper level.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008">Student Handbook ''[http://www.oru.edu/catalog/ORU_hb0203.pdf Student Handbook Fall 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517165525/http://www.oru.edu/catalog/ORU_hb0203.pdf |date=May 17, 2008 }}'' retrieved March 3, 2008</ref> === Housing === There are eight residence halls on campus. The university has strict guidelines concerning student access to the upper floors of residence halls by members of the opposite sex, which is limited to designated occasions called "Open Dorms." * '''Claudius Priscilla Roberts Hall''' is a seven-story building built in 1965 that can house up to 600 women.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> Called "Claudius" by students, the building is named after Oral Roberts's mother. * '''Ellis Melvin Roberts Hall''' is a seven-story building also built in 1967 that can house up to 600 men.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> Called "EMR" by campus residents, this dormitory is similar to Claudius Priscilla Roberts Hall but has some differences, notably walls made of concrete blocks rather than sheet rock, two elevators instead of one and laundry facilities in the basement instead of on every floor. According to the university, these two tri-winged buildings are meant to reflect the [[Trinity]].<ref>About ORU: [http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/emr.php Ellis Melvin Roberts Hall & Claudius and Priscilla Roberts Hall] retrieved March 3, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203113618/http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/emr.php |date=February 3, 2009 }}</ref> [[File:Towers Dormitories.jpg|thumb|right|The four "Towers" residence halls, Michael Cardone, Wesley Leuhring, Susie Vinson and Frances Cardone]] * '''Frances Cardone Hall''' (originally Ethel Hughes Hall) is a 12-story building for up to 372 women.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> This is one of the four "Towers" dormitories, meant to represent the [[Star of David]].<ref>About ORU: [http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/towers.php Towers] retrieved March 3, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516084514/http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/towers.php |date=May 16, 2008 }}</ref> The building is called "Frances" by university students. * '''Michael Cardone, Sr. Hall''' (originally Edward Hughes Hall) is the twin dormitory to Frances and houses up to 372 men.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> It is linked to the three other Towers dormitories by a central hallway and the main lobby area, called the "Fishbowl" for its glass exterior walls. * '''Susie Vinson Hall''' is one of two shorter "Towers" housing 244 women on eight stories and known as "Susie."<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> * '''Wesley Leuhring Hall''', called "Wesley" by students, is the twin dormitory of "Susie" and is alike in both capacity and design.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> In the summer of 2017, Wesley was converted into a women's dorm and was to be called "Susie North." * '''Gabrielle Christian Salem Hall''' is a three-story split-level dormitory west of Timko-Barton Hall and called "Gabby" by the students. It can house up to 240 women and has secured doors that open using university-issued cards. There are in-room bathroom facilities on the first and second floors.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> * '''Niko Njotorahardjo Hall''', named after the founder and senior pastor of an Indonesian church and ministry, opened for the fall 2019 semester. It was ORU's first new student housing project since 1976 and contains 240 beds in apartment and dorm style rooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/orus-first-new-residence-hall-in-more-than-40-years-highlights-28-million-in-recent/article_4fbf27bd-34a4-512a-a7a7-a1cc251f20ae.html|title=ORU's first new residence hall in more than 40 years highlights $28 million in recent improvements|publisher=Tusla World|last=Stanley|first=Tim|date=13 September 2019}}</ref> ===Chapel=== The university has weekly chapel services in Christ's Chapel, which are recorded and broadcast live through the university's television station and also via satellite.<ref>[http://www.golden-eagle-tv.com/shows/chapel.html "Enter In (formerly ORU Chapel)"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904051115/http://www.golden-eagle-tv.com/shows/chapel.html |date=September 4, 2009 }} ''Golden Eagles Broadcasting'', September 24, 2009.</ref> A typical chapel service features [[contemporary worship]], a missions offering, special music, and a [[sermon]], typically from President [[Billy Wilson (academic)|William Wilson]], as well as special guests, including some of the world's biggest and most well-known pastors, evangelists, and spiritual leaders. Attendance at Chapel is mandatory and attendance is taken by student leadership.<ref name="Oral Roberts University 2009"/> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page