Faculty Retreat: 'The nicest gift' 

The 13th annual Faculty Retreat was held Aug. 14 and 15 at Lake Eufala's Fountainhead Resort. The Alumni Foundation contributed $6,000, roughly half of the retreat expenses. The rest of the funds came from the Student Association, the University, and faculty members. 

The Alumni Foundation has been contributing funds for the retreat since 1993. 

Agena Farmer, organizational/interpersonal communications professor and chairperson of the Faculty Retreat committee, said, "The retreat would not be possible without alumni help. It's the nicest gift they give. More faculty members are impacted there than anyplace else." 

This year's theme was Success Strategies for Special Challenges: Ministering to the Whole Student. Workshop topics included leadership training, goal-setting, communication techniques, and team-building. President Richard Roberts also gave an encouraging address. 

Multi Media Institute Opens 

ORU's mass media communications department now has one of the most advanced programs offered on any university campus, thanks to a sizable alumni gift. Its new "Multi Media Institute" will enable students to become authorities in various telecommunication modes. Dr. Even Culp, director of Educational TV, said, "TV production is now multi media production." 

The television production department has been renovated, adding on a new broadcast journalism lab, audio digital equipment, and a multi media room. 

The Multi Media Institute will offer one-year apprenticeships with facility and industry professionals, thereby blending academics and hands-on training. Students will be involved in documentaries, entertainment, educational, and spiritual programs, blending communications, music, and graphics. 

"The institute is a marriage between an experience in the junior year in communication arts and the professional division that handles University communications," Culp said, adding that he is excited "for the opportunity to impact the world of communications, music, and art with well-qualified ORU graduates." 

Long Receives Top Honor 

For the second time in three years, the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year is a graduate of ORU's School of Education. 

Kay Long (82), a special education teacher at Broken Arrow Senior High School, was named 1998 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made on Sept. 23 during the Oklahoma State Fair. Just three years ago, Linda Kay Webb (81), a fifth-grade teacher at Country Lane Elementary School in Broken Arrow, received the same honor. 

Shannon McCoy (90) was named the 1997 Teacher of the Year for Jenks Public Schools. That honor also made her a candidate for recognition by the state. 

Congratulations to the School of Education faculty and staff for the excellent job they have done in preparing their students for the all-important work of educating children. 

Kothe and Swearingen Return 

Charles A. Kothe, founding dean of ORU's O.W. Coburn School of Law, has returned to serve as director of the Center for the Development of Human Resources and Civil Rights, a new division within ORU's School of Business. 

Kothe will coordinate weekly lectures featuring business executives and government leaders on the ORU campus. 

Dr. Eugene Swearingen, former professor of free enterprise, has come out of retirement to fill several roles in the business school. Among them: teaching Executive Development, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Bank Management. Considered an expert in banking and management, Swearingen also serves on the boards of two Oklahoma banks and is a consultant for Parker Drilling Company. 

While on campus for a meeting this fall, the following alumni inspected the new Avenue of Excellence. Back row, left to right: Steve Alley (69), Dennis Sprouse (75), George Paul (69), Pam (Otto-77) Peterson, Kurt Green (80), Bob Getchell (85), Terry Fisher (79-MBA), Robb Higdon (95). Front row, left to right: Charles Redd (71), Georgia (Straton-72) Paul, Annamarie (Cooley-92) Wright, Jeffrey Lee (82), Cara Locke (93), Becky (Wilson-78) Grothe, Angela (Fowler-97) Higdon. 

New Walkway Is Installed 

We are happy to announce that the "Avenue of Excellence," a project initiated some time ago, has been completed. 

The avenue, a walkway leading from the campus's main entrance to the Prayer Gardens, is composed of countless bricks. Etched on each brick is the name of the person or persons who donated $75 to the project. Contributions came from University friends and family all around the world. 

Thanks to everyone who helped make this new path a reality! 
 

Alumni Inspect Avenue of Excellence  While on campus for a meeting this fall, the following alumni inspected the new Avenue of Excellence. Back row, left to right: Steve Alley (69), Dennis Sprouse (75), George Paul (69), Pam (Otto-77) Peterson, Kurt Green (80), Bob Getchell (85), Terry Fisher (79-MBA), Robb Higdon (95). Front row, left to right: Charles Redd (71), Georgia (Straton-72) Paul, Annamarie (Cooley-92) Wright, Jeffrey Lee (82), Cara Locke (93), Becky (Wilson-78) Grothe, Angela (Fowler-97) Higdon.

Alumni Meet the Challenge 

Thanks to the support of 1,800 generous alumni (including 460 new donors), the '97 Summer Renovations Match Campaign was a success. 

Because alumni gave more than $500,000 to the project, the Alumni Foundation was able to meet a two-to-one matching-gift challenge made by a corporate donor, resulting in an additional $1 million for renovations. 

More than $225,000 in renovations were completed in the Aerobics Center alone, prompting a large number of Tulsa-area alumni to purchase alumni ID cards. (Cards are $20.) 

Additional projects still need funding. If you would like to contribute to renovation of a specific building or campus area, contact the Alumni Office at 918-495-6610.