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Historic Expansion Continues at ORU with Grand Opening of the J.D. McKean Library

A Beacon of Learning, Innovation, and Academic Exploration

J.D. McKean Library ribbon-cutting moment

Pictured (left to right): Margaret Zellmer, Mary Synan Clark, Gordon Helm, Brad Thomas, 
ORU Board Chair Holly Moore, ORU First Lady Mrs. Lisa Wilson, ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson,
Dr. J.D. McKean, US Representative Kevin Hern,
ORU Provost Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez,
and Library Dean Mark Hall

Tulsa, OK. – Oral Roberts University (ORU) opened the new J. D. McKean Library, a three-story, $18 million, 39,000-square-foot space that will serve as the intellectual hub for students’ research and academics. The new technologically advanced library features a diverse range of contemporary spaces equipped with emerging learning technologies. The new library is also home to ORU’s Center for Spirit-empowered Research and Holy Spirit Resource Center (HSRC), which houses one of the largest and most comprehensive Pentecostal-Charismatic and Holy Spirit collections in the world, focusing on archives and publications.  

Dr. Wilson speaking at ribbon-cutting event.

ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson

 

“The J. D. McKean Library is a stunning addition to the ORU campus,” said University President Dr. William M. Wilson.  “Dr. McKean’s significant contribution toward this 21st-century library will redefine collaborative learning for our students.  The integration of high-performance technological advancements, extensive resources for advanced research, and the preservation of historical collections will enhance ORU’s leadership as a learning institution. The J. D. McKean Library represents ORU’s ongoing commitment to student services, campus improvements, and academic excellence.”

Dr. McKean expressed his gratitude for the opening of the new library, saying, “ORU has been in my spiritual DNA my whole life. I have been involved with the University since its inception and dedication. I am humbled and proud that the new library will bear my name. I don't deserve it and I didn't earn it, but I humbly accept that honor. My thanks and appreciation to Dr. Wilson and the Board of Trustees.  My prayer is that the library will become a center for whole-person education and spiritual growth for the students and faculty at ORU.”

Dr. J.D. McKean speaking at the ribbon-cutting event.

Dr. J.D. McKean

The library provides students with cutting-edge technology and resources for research and learning. This includes Digital Nest Rooms featuring smart TV displays for collaborative study, a Presentation Studio with green screen technology, Faculty AVR Rooms for VR training and exploration, and an Innovation Station offering virtual reality experiences, Oculus Rift S adventure gaming, flight simulation, a 3D printer, and a Music Workstation.  

Additionally, the new library houses standard print items and an expanded digital database with tens of thousands of online journals and ebooks. As the standard for using and accessing information accelerates, ORU’s modern library will provide an innovative atmosphere for advanced research, exploration, and discovery.  

US Representative Kevin Hern speaking

US Representative Kevin Hern

US Representative Kevin Hern attended the ceremony and congratulated ORU on another historic achievement stating, “I've come to the conclusion that two things are true about ORU— It’s always growing, and it's always going. The campus, the enrollment, and the research happening here testify to that. While the institution is constantly growing, ORU students are always going. They go into the deepest, darkest parts of the world where few have seen or experienced the love of Christ. Our nation and our world desperately need what this university has. This state-of-the-art library is a world-class facility for academic work and research, not just among Christian institutions, but among all higher education institutions across America and around the world.”

Located on the library’s third floor, the new Center for Spirit-empowered Research will enhance ORU’s global leadership as a Spirit-empowered university with the addition of academic research, publishing, and global networking. The Center will also provide oversight for ORU’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Contextual Theology program and partner with Empowered21, the world’s largest relational network for the Spirit-empowered movement. Researchers and scholars from all over the world are drawn to the HSRC, which contains an extensive collection of books on the Holy Spirit and related topics such as healing, sanctification, spiritual gifts, and prayer. 

With its emphasis on traditional and digital materials, the J. D. McKean Library aims to empower students on their academic journey and further solidify ORU's reputation as a forward-thinking institution. ORU’s campus continues to expand debt-free, and the new library adds to several recent additions, including the ORU Welcome Center, the Mike Carter Athletic Center, and the Media Arts Center, which is currently under construction. These new structures will complete Phase One of the Whole Leaders for the Whole World Campaign (WLWW), and the development of Phase Two is well underway. Please click here to learn more about the WLWW campaign. 

J.D. McKean Library exterior

J.D. McKean Library interior


ABOUT ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with over a decade of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 150 nations (from 2019 to 2023) to be whole leaders for the whole world.

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #4 university in the nation for student engagement. This ranking is based upon faculty interactions, collaborative learning, critical thinking, real-world applications of student learning, the extent to which classes challenge students, and whether students would recommend a university to others. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the most diverse colleges in America.

ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:

  • #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
  • #2 in Most International Students
  • #3 in Best Value
  • #6 in Best College for Veterans
  • #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West

For more information, visit www.oru.edu.

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