Oral Roberts University holds a special place in higher education, and as an alumnus, Dr. Douglas Crawford can attest to its excellence in preparing students for every person’s world. His career has focused on building businesses and changing peoples’ lives. He believes teaching is now his ministry where lives can be transformed through compassion, rigorous instruction, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prior to his academic career, he worked for three multinational corporations, leading strategic initiatives in executive leadership, global branding, human resources, and organizational development. The experience provides a greater understanding of business decision making and how leadership contributes to a successful enterprise. Also, it provides evidence of what behaviors and practices can derail a leader or make one successful. Working internationally, he acquired an understanding of markets and cross-cultural business leadership. Not to be one to sit still, Dr. Crawford also has entrepreneurial experience as he once developed and operated a successful farm business. All these experiences add to the focus in the classroom.
Dr. Douglas Crawford holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, an MS in Industrial and Labor Relations from West Virginia University, and a bachelor’s degree from ORU. Further, as a lifelong learner, he has extensive training in leadership development from the Georgetown Executive Leadership Coaching program and the Organizational Development Program at Columbia University. Though well versed in all aspects of business management, his most extensive experience has been in change leadership with research emphasis on leadership decision making and effectiveness.
He lives in Tulsa with his wife and traveling companion, Lesda. He has two beautiful daughters who are mothers and educators in Virginia with his four grandchildren. Other activities include world travel, oil painting, swimming, and cycling.