Oral Roberts University Veterans Live

Today we celebrate Independence Day. You’ve already most likely seen some light-hearted memes on your social media of choice. “It’s only treason when you lose”, “have a great day at work tomorrow, Great Britain”, or “the day Will Smith saved us from aliens”. All good stuff.

But let’s not forget that today, in 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies' separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

As far as “wars” go, the casualty count almost doesn’t sound real: a total of 40k killed in action from the participating countries. And we didn’t even think to add in the Native American casualties.

We started out and continue to be the Great Experiment.

We wrestle with our political ideology. We still experience sexism and racism. We have more resources and opportunities, yet have poor, sick, and hurting people.

There is no other country I’d want to be in to combat the evil that still exists in the world today.

And for those that have fought alongside me, I salute you and your families today.

Happy Independence Day.

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History Bonanza, Day Two. This time the Battle of Gettysburg!

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Growing up in the northeast and attending college in Pennsylvania, I am aware and appreciative the Battle of Gettysburg, which ran from July 1-3 1863.

It wasn’t until I was a young Major going on a “Staff Ride” to Vicksburg, Mississippi in 2005 that I realized the significance of the Battle of Vicksburg. Fought around the same time (the siege lasted for a little over a month from the end of May to July 3rd in the same year as Gettysburg), it really didn’t receive the attention it deserved.

The victory allowed the Union to effectively cut the Confederacy in half and denied them a vital port/logistics hub. The casualties were horrific, with just under 5k Union casualties and over 30k Confederate.

It was in this battle I read a famous Union General said before committing troops: “we’re going to lose 500 men, it might as well be here”. The callousness of the remark still resonates with me today.

War is indeed hell.

Thank you to all those that have had to endure it.

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Thursday Evening Zoom Fellowships in the Summer are good for my soul!

From Tulsa, Stillwater, Bentonville, Huntsville, and Hawaii, ORU student veterans gathered to "do life" together.

If you are looking for some togetherness, you are always welcome to take part.

Just for next week, we will meet on Wednesday, as we don't want to compete with your family plans for the 4th of July celebration.

The zoom room is: https://oru.zoom.us/j/92868730042

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While it's always good to see your team highlighted for its performance, I have been trained to look as to the "why/how" for any type of achievement. Just recently, we saw the Boston Celtics and Florida Panthers win championships in their respective sports. Anyone who follows sports can see "why" they won, and "how" they went about it.

As someone with a birds-eye view of the day-to-day goings on of how Oral Roberts University manifests "thank you for your service" to our student veterans, let me share some of my favorite "highlights" (sorry, no "posterizing" dunks or laser-fast slap-shots to show...):

-Deliberate engagement with our student veteran population in the form of a weekly "Update" that shares personal anecdotes coupled with a ministry message (non AI-generated, nor automated messaging here!), an in-person Fellowship session in our Veterans Lounge, and a Zoom Fellowship designated to connect with our robust online cohort of veterans.

-A Career Services outcome of 99.7% that provides our graduates their "next job/vocation" to impact the world. This small team is a force multiplier that provides interview assistance, resume writing, coordinates and executes immense Career Fairs every semester that fills out the Mezzanine of our MaBee Center, discounted professional attire, and awareness on how to navigate Handshake.

-A one-person Disability Services Teammate that empathetically ensures each student veterans accommodation is applied for appropriately, and follows through during the course of their matriculation.

-An Online Learning Team that continues to expand and grow in opportunities for our veterans, and now their spouses. In addition to a military tuition rate that is tiered for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, ORU Online Learning offers a 15% military spouse discount. For their growing Doctor of Strategic Leadership program, they offer an industry-leading $300 per credit hour rate, as well as the least amount of credit hours to complete than any other DSL program in the country.

-A VA Certifying Official Team that processes over 150 types of chapters (1606, 31, 33, & 35) per semester with zero complaints filed in the past 48 months. This "Team of Two" navigates the daily administrative dance with the VA and educates and informs our VA benefits users.

-We educate our student body, faculty and staff on the uniqueness and awesomeness of our veterans through deliberate touch points throughout the year. These include training on military culture and resources available as well as a "New and Returning Student Boot Camp" prior to the start of the Fall semester. We also plan and conduct a 9/11 Ceremony, a "Veterans Week" celebration, and culminate the year with a Student Veteran & Family Member Commencement Ceremony.

Just as the Celtics and Panthers will get back to work after enjoying their moment in the sun, so to will our commitment to our veterans at ORU.

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Today, I want to acknowledge one of my teammates.

Deonte Watters is finishing up his fifth class of ORU's Doctor of Strategic Leadership program, where he currently maintains a 4.0 GPA.

This is not unfamiliar, as he completed his Masters of Strategic Leadership Development from Clayton State University, also with a 4.0 GPA.

Deonte is a proud Navy Veteran and currently serves as Vice President of Business Operations at Mythics, LLC.

He is also a "Blue Star" dad, as two of his sons serve in the military; one in the Air Force, and the other in the Navy like his old man.

We are proud of you, Deonte, and can't wait to see what He has in store for you as you continue on in the DSL program.

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Today, we highlight a truly life-changing event!

Noel Trenary, a rising Junior ORU Nursing student committed to serving as a United States Navy Nurse as part of their Nurse Candidate Program.

Dr. Dean Prentice, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and retired Air Force (Colonel) Nurse swore Noel in as the officiating officer in the Veterans Experience Wing of the Welcome Center.

Noel is an exceptional student who currently maintains a 3.96 GPA. More importantly, she has a heart for the Lord and feels called to serve others.

We couldn't be more proud of her as she enters this next season in her life as a Navy Nurse candidate.

Congratulations, Noel!

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I definitely don’t feel that old, but I’m still ready to rock and roll!

Today we acknowledge America’s oldest branch of service, the Army!

On June 14, 1775, 249 years ago, the Second Continental Congress founded a united army to bring the 13 colonies together in the fight for independence from Great Britain. The U.S. Army was officially born.

To all our Army Veterans, those currently serving on Active Duty, the Army National Guard, and Army Reserves, we salute you today!

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It's been a hopping summer season so far at ORU!

Currently, we have 154 students registered for summer courses right now, with 115 of us online, and 39 residential.

We have 91 Veterans and 63 Family Members registered.

These numbers will increase as other terms open up over the course of the Summer.

Of the folks registered, 42 of our community are using one of the various VA Chapters or Department of Defense Tuition Assistance. Six are using Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment); 12 are using Chapter 33 (9/11 GI Bill); 10 are using Chapter 35 (Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance); five are using Chapter 1606 (Selected Reserves); and nine are using DoD TA.

With more than two months left before the start of the Fall Semester, we remain engaged with supporting our awesome community, and are thankful you have chosen ORU for this season in your lives.

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It would be a clear dereliction of duty not to acknowledge the significance of today’s date.

80 years ago today, Operation Overlord began as the allies started their invasion. For just this first part of it, over 150,000 troops, 1,200 planes, and 5,000 ships were used to storm the beaches of Normandy.

Just under 4,500 troops were killed in action and another 5,000 wounded in that day alone, with 75,000 combat deaths the entirety of the Normandy invasion.

As a quasi-historian, I have found two pieces of pop culture that come close to depicting the reality of D-Day. The first is the opening 24-minute scene in Saving Private Ryan.

Episodes one and two of Band of Brothers are also excellent. The former accurately depicts preparation required for such an event, while the latter gives a glimpse of what it was like for the paratroopers the night prior/morning of.

We will never forget.

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Good morning team! Today we pause to acknowledge Army Major Pedro Diaz.

Pedro just completed the first year of ORU’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership program.

Simultaneously, he finished a prestigious one year fellowship program at the George Marshall Center for Security Studies in Garmish, Germany.

He is currently moving up the road to Stuttgart, Germany, where he has been assigned to European Command in the J9 Directorate.

On top of all of this, Pedro recently found out he was selected for promotion “below the zone” to Lieutenant Colonel, an achievement reserved for the top 3-4% of officers that are eligible.

Congratulations, Pedro! We look forward to seeing even greater things for you and your family this year.

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Wonderful Wednesday!

Or something like that!

Today we want to recognize two generations of "Team Turpin".

The first is Tabitha, who is furiously finishing her dissertation this summer for her PhD in Contextual Theology. Besides being a full-time momma, working, and her degree, she still has managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA.

Not bad.

Her daughter, Grace, completed her first year at ORU and is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Music Production. In addition to that, she is enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program through our partnership with OSU, and spends her Thursdays completing Aeronautical Science classes, Physical Training, and a Leadership Lab.

Grace is also actively involved in ORU's Student Veteran & Family Member Association.

Takes after her mother, obviously!

Tabitha's husband, and Grace's dad, Tony just completed his last Permanent Change of Station move back to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he serves as a Brigade Chaplain.

We are so blessed to have Team Turpin as part of ORU's DNA and look forward to the impact both Tabitha and Grace will continue to make for His kingdom.

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It's coming up on Memorial Day Weekend.

An attempt at "something different".

Donna Iannelli and Andy Goritski, you and your families are in my prayers this weekend.

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"Fruitful Friday"!!! Those are the words of the day for ORU's Online Enrollment Team as we head into Memorial Day Weekend!

We were able to acknowledge Jennifer Figueroa, one of the awesome Online Success Coaches as the "Academic Year 2023-2024 Veterans & Family Member Teammate of the Year Award".

Jennifer started in late summer of 2021, and in that time has mentored, coached, and walked with over a hundred student veterans and family members. Her ability to connect, manifest empathy, and offer sound recommendations on the next steps continue to be an invaluable resource for our community.

In addition to this work, Jennifer has been the most supportive ORU Teammate of our community as she has provided her vocal and musical talents to over a dozen military themed events, including 9/11 ceremonies, Veterans Week activities, Memorials for faculty, and Commencement Ceremonies.

All this and she is starting her third and final year in her Doctor of Strategic Leadership program.

Thank you for all you do for our team, Jennifer! You are a difference maker!

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"Throwback Tuesday"?

Why not!!!

Please let me introduce you to Ben Pascua. Ben is a currently serving Army Reservist and just completed his first semester of his Masters in Theology/Historical Studies.

Ben heeded God's call last fall, and abruptly moved from Michigan to attend ORU. He had no place to live, no job, hardly any savings, and simply took a leap of faith. In truth, there was nothing simple about it!

He found a roommate AS HE WAS DRIVING SOUTH (do NOT text and drive, friends!), secured financing for school, AND was able to find remaining Chapter 33 benefits to pay for school and his apartment.

If you'd like to meet Ben, and others like him this summer, join us on Thursday evenings at 7PM CST at https://oru.zoom.us/j/91282043671 when we meet for Fellowship.

Make no little plans here!!!

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Hey, hey, hey, it's somebody's birthday today!!!

Want to wish my older brother the very best birthday today!!!

Through the years and the distance, Don has been one of the very few, consistent anchor points in my life. He always picks up the phone when I call, and always is intentional when we talk.

I am wholly convicted in not telling him how much he means to me, how proud I am of him, and that he is my biggest hero.

So, you get that now!!! Today, may there be awesome memories of your 55 years on this earth. From the "no Christmas present" year, through the Sunday Rockaway traveling team soccer years coached by mom, watching Dave Righetti's no-hitter after the annual softball/picnic at Uncle Bills and Aunt Doris' house, to being the last remaining Sailor to serve on the USS Midway (slight exaggeration), the birth and parenting of Cassi and Donny, multiple deployments away from the family, to completing your degree after retiring from the Navy, and everything else in between.

I love you and am thankful to call you brother.

Fudgey the Whales for everyone!!!!

Happy Friday Team!

Last night we held our first "Thursday Veteran & Family Member Zoom Fellowship" of the summer. We have held our sessions on Wednesdays, but are trying something new for the next 12 or so weeks.

It was an eclectic group....a Marine Spouse, two Army Veterans, a currently-serving Army Reservist, a Marine Veteran, and a National Guard and Reservist Veteran who is putting in a packet to become a Navy Officer!

We talked about all sorts of things: visiting the ORU campus for the first time last month, potential best programs for incoming students, how to approach online classes, and a while lot of prayer for everyone!

They always go longer than an hour, and I always leave feeling recharged and ready for the next step.

Please consider joining us this summer. We meet on Thursdays at 7PM CST here: https://oru.zoom.us/j/91282043671

Have a great weekend!

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Good morning team and Happy Tuesday!

ORU's Doctor of Strategic Leadership Program recently held its residency iteration in Tulsa.

DSL students from across the country and all over the world attended the three-day event meant to bring the cohorts together and continue to build the skills to be Scholar-Practitioners.

The DSL is a multi-disciplinary program for mid-to senior career professionals who are passionate about their purpose and about solving real-world problems through participatory research. Upon completion, the DSL graduate is able to recast their future, create meaningful change, and cultivate talent through coaching

Pictured here are just some of the veterans, family members, and still-serving students of the course.

Most of us are currently in Week #2 of GLDR 733: Modeling Systems Change.

For those still serving or veterans, ORU's DSL program is simply the least expensive and least time-intensive (as in, less overall time to complete....you will learn to manage your time in the program!) doctoral program on the market.

I know, because I did the research. The only regret you'll have is that you wished you started sooner. I know that too, because I fall in that boat.

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Happy Friday!

This year, Oral Roberts University attained the rank of "Military Friendly Gold - Top #10 School". Further, we came in #3 of the all schools in our category, "Private Offering Doctorate".

The rankings are insignificant in and of themselves.

How we take care of our veteran community, which includes the military spouses, the dependent children, the active duty service members, and our National Guardsmen and Reservists is how we ultimately will be judged. I write in more detail in a LinkedIn article, but here are some steps we have taken to attempt to serve this most honorable demographic at ORU:

1. We have arguably the highest retention percentage in the country. For AY 23-24, it was 88%. The national averages for student veteran graduation rates are in the mid-50% range.

2. Three years running of ZERO complaints filed on the VA website for utilization of VA benefits (and the personal interaction with our folks who manage/discuss them). In this era of “entitlement” or “I was not treated fairly,” this is an incredible achievement that we have had no students file a complaint to a third party site/institution.

3. Student Veterans and Family Members bring revenue to ORU and stipends for themselves in the form of utilizing well-earned VA education or employment benefits. In AY 23-24, the numbers look like this:

a. MGIB-SR (1606): 14 Guardsmen/Reservists totaling $34,273 paid overall via monthly payments.
b. CH 31(VR&E): 14 Veterans receiving $83,000 in tuition payments and $72,00 in subsistence payments via monthly stipends.
c. CH 33 (9/11): 61 students receiving $626,000 in tuition payments and $523,200 in monthly BAH payments.
d. CH 35: 44 students receiving $455,448 in monthly payments.
e. DoD-TA: 15 students receiving $21,000 in tuition payments.

4. ORU’s 99+% Career Services Outcome means all of our graduates will find employment or continue on with their schooling.

5. Deliberate touch-points with the community that other schools simply do not execute (weekly in-person, weekly Zoom, and a weekly update).

6. We maintain an active social media presence, with a minimum of three posts per week on Facebook & Instagram.

7. Although student loan default rates have trended down the past 9 years to a 2.3% rate, our rate of 2% exceeded the national standard. For active-duty students and their spouse…. it’s 0%!!!, and 1% for military family members.

8. For loans, the national rate is $39,981, and ORU’s is $32,792.

9. We have been offering a military spouse online discount of 15% since August of 2023.

10. We plan and execute deliberate events throughout the Academic Year to bridge the gap between our veteran and civilian communities while honoring those that have served and continue to do so. Each year, we execute ceremonies for 9/11, Veterans Week, and a Commencement Event for Veterans and their Family Members.

We aren't done, as we are focusing on the 150 or so students that are/will be taking summer classes in a residential or online modality, and are in full preparation mode for our Fall Cohort.

We keep improving our foxhole. We need to get better. Our community deserves nothing less.

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World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history.

U.S. Killed in Action alone were more than 400,000, with another 670,000+ Wounded in Action.

In total, over 21 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines from all nations were Killed in Action.

Today, we remember the end of combat operations in the European Theater of War, more commonly referred to as "VE Day", or "Victory in Europe Day". It wouldn't be until three months later when Japan unconditionally surrendered on August 15th that World War II finally ended. Yet, 79 years ago today, the world was able to celebrate just a little before putting their full attention to the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Prentice did not serve in either theater....

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Happy Monday!!!

We had such a great time celebrating our Veteran & Family Member graduates on Saturday morning.

Our community had 52 folks acknowledged, and 60 or so graduates and families were able to make our ceremony.

Colonel Chad Phillips, commander of the 138th Fighter Wing and Tulsa Air National Guard was our guest speaker and emphasized the need to demonstrate humility and listen as we lead in the formations we are part of.

Thank you all for coming and celebrating with us.

Now…the summer semester begins, and our community looks to make up 200 or more students this term.

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Happy Thursday!

Today we acknowledge another great member of our community. Please join me in "shouting out" Senior Pastor Ivan Ledet, who will be graduating with his degree in Church Ministries on Saturday!

Ivan Ledet is the senior pastor of Jubilee Nation Christian Ministries in Jeanerette and Lafayette Louisiana.

He grew up in New Jersey and finished his last year of high school in Jeanerette, La. It was there that he joined the U.S. Army and served in various places, such as Ft. Sill Oklahoma, Babenhausen Germany, Ft. Stewart Georgia, and the Lousiana National Guard.

After serving eight years he was honorably discharged and went to college in Lafayette, La.

It was during these times that he heard the call of God, dedicated his life to the Lord, and went into the ministry.

We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what impact you will continue to make.

Well done, Ivan!

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It's in!! We have our program for Saturday's ceremony!

We look forward to seeing as many of you that can make it as we honor our veteran and family member graduates.

We have 52 graduates in all, covering 22 Residential and 30 Online graduates. 28 are Veterans and 24 are Family Members.

11 earned a 4.0 GPA.

The average GPA is 3.50.

13 earned graduate or doctoral degrees.

We represent all six colleges. (25x Theology; 6x Business; 9x Arts & Cultural Studies; 6x Engineering; 3 x Education; and 3x Health Sciences).

One is a mother going through a divorce she never thought would happen and putting her faith in Him to keep it all together (she is one of our 4.0s too).

One is a multi-deployed combat veteran who completed most of his senior year deployed to Africa with the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

We have five serving in the National Guard or Reserves, and one who transitioned from active duty to the Reserves.

We represent the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines.

We are part of ORU’s DNA, and I couldn’t be prouder and more privileged to represent them all. Please join me in recognizing them today and this week.

We will be having our 3rd annual Veterans & Family Member Recognition Ceremony this Saturday in the Welcome Center at 8:30 AM.

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It's "Two-Fer" Thursday!! It would have "sang better" if it was Tuesday, but the show must go on!

Today, we acknowledge two of our Navy Veterans who completed their degree requirements for their degrees in December, and will walk across the Commencement stage in 9 days!

Jerry Smith finished his Master of Christian Ministry program with a 3.8 GPA while Ralph Riess knocked out his Bachelor of Arts in Ministry & Leadership with a 3.85 GPA.

We are so proud of both of them, and are excited to see what the Lord has in store for them in the next season of their lives.

Go Navy!

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Happy Tuesday, Team!

We pause to recognize Phoua Kong as our Student Veteran Graduate of the day!

Phoua lives in California with her lovely family. She is completing her Master of Christian Ministry degree with a 4.0 GPA!

A veteran of the Army Reserves, Phoua has over five years of experience as a project manager and has a passion for customer service.

We can't wait to congratulate you in person next weekend, Phoua!

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Happy Friday!!!

Our Veteran graduate recognition today is Adam Spears!

Adam is completing his Masters Degree in Teaching & Educational Leadership.

Adam is an Air Force Veteran who has a passion for education and a desire to become a school principal.

During his time at ORU, he was involved in the Student Veterans & Family Member Association and also served as a Student Success Coach prior to moving on to a teaching position in the Union Public School system. He started as a Computer Science teacher and now is a Biology teacher.

We are so proud of you, Adam, and know He has great things ahead for you.

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