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Keeping
tabs:
Alumni Association holds past, looks to future
By Calley McGehee
 There
is no way to describe the look on the graduate's face as he or she
walks down the aisle and receives a diploma. But what then? How can
this graduate stay involved in the University that they invested so
much time and energy into?
The Alumni Association of Oral Roberts University provides the opportunity.
Built on the principles of keeping interest in the welfare of ORU
and continuing the ORU lifestyle, the Association encourages students
to remain involved after graduation.
"Our purpose," said George Paul, Associate Vice President
for Alumni and Development, "is to build strong relationships
with ORU graduates and to provide funds for the University."
It is important to the Alumni Association to be able to effectively
tell how alumni are making an impact on the world and continuing the
mission of ORU.
One of the major goals of the Association is assisting in securing
financial support to meet the needs of the University. Approximately
60 percent of educational costs are met by the student's tuition and
fees. The other 40 percent is left up to endowments, contributions,
grants and other sources. To encourage alumni giving, the Association
set up a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation in 1989.
The benefits of belonging to the Alumni Association are numerous.
A one-time $20 fee provides an alumni ID that gives access to the
Aerobics Center and library based on availability throughout the year.
Plus, alumni receive a magazine called Excellence, monthly
correspondence, information on chapter events across the country,
online resources-including a job-finding service called JobTrak-and
many different programs to help them stay connected. Some of the programs
available to interested alumni are the Wing Backers and the Admissions
Recruiting Association.
One of the most exciting times for alumni is Homecoming weekend. Homecoming
2002, Jan. 30 - Feb. 2, alumni will have many chances to reminisce
and once again connect with the University. Activities include a Minister's
Conference hosted by President Richard and Lindsay Roberts, seminars,
a special Homecoming chapel, reunions, open houses and much more.
The Association seeks support from graduates who want the University
to stay strong. The Access to Excellence Annual Fund, launched this
year by the Association, is designed to raise money to fund alumni
programs and help the University with building projects, academic
programs, teaching materials, computer equipment and more. "Alumni
are contributing to a University that can help people make a difference,"
Paul said.
In 1988 local alumnus Jim Stovall and several of his former wingmates
started the Crusader Scholarship Fund. The fund provides assistance
for students at ORU-more than $175,000 in the past 13 years.
According to Paul, in 10 years the Association will have a foundation
of members who are more financially established with the ability to
solidly support the University.
"We are making things available based on feedback," said
Vanessa Horn, an alumnus and the Association's Board of Directors
member. The Association gives graduates a connection and a chance
to serve and give back to the University. "I have a link back
to something that was dear to my heart."
According to Stovall, the Association is very good for those who are
not living in the Tulsa area but still want to be involved. "You
can reconnect with people and principles that are unique," Stovall
said.
Future goals of the Association include linking alumni with current
students and recent graduates through a mentoring program. The possibility
of a network of alumni across the country who will help recent grads
will depend on alumni being willing to volunteer time to contact the
graduates and offer support and guidance. When the program is ready
to roll, the Association intends to aggressively advertise and market
it to undergraduate students and recent graduates.
The Association helps alumni stay in touch through an online directory.
Only 14,000 graduates are presently accounted for, which leaves many
yet to get involved and provides a challenge for the Association.
The Fall 2001 issue of Excellence contained a 1967 quote from then-President
Oral Roberts which still rings true today. "When our first graduates
leave ORU next year, they will not be leaving the University. They
will be taking with them the dream, the concepts, the answer of which
they have become so much a part. . . ."
A recent publication sent out by the Association told alumni that
they represent not only a link to the past, but the strength of the
future. "They see the value in ORU," Paul said, "and
want to sustain that." Will graduates stay forever linked? "We
need you to stay connected," said the staff.
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