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ORU Announces New Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry

Dr. Adrian Hinkle Assumes Role to Develop the Next Generation of Ministry Leaders 

Dr. Adrian HinkleTulsa, OK.—Oral Roberts University (ORU) announced the appointment of Dr. Adrian Hinkle as Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry. For the past six years, Hinkle has served as vice president of academic affairs at Southwestern Christian University (SCU). She also served SCU as a department chair for the theology and missions department, an academic dean for the school of graduate and professional studies, and a faculty and adjunct instructor. Additionally, Hinkle serves as the executive director of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) and was recently appointed as lay representative for the International Pentecostal Holiness Council of Bishops Executive Committee. 

With an exceptional academic background, Hinkle holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, a Master degree in Theology from Southern Nazarene University, and a Bachelor degree in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Christian University. 

ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson shared his excitement regarding this appointment by stating: “The ORU College of Theology and Ministry has a storied leadership legacy, which will continue its' upward trajectory with the appointment of Dr. Hinkle. Her academic acumen, higher education administrative experience, and Spirit-empowered, servant-leadership posture are exemplary. I am grateful for God’s guidance in the search process and believe the Lord has answered our prayers for a forward-thinking, theologically sound, dynamic dean to lead the exceptional faculty of this college into the exciting days ahead. Dr. Hinkle’s appointment is a vote for the future. She will focus team efforts on inspiring ORU students to embrace comprehensive theological and ministry preparation, empowering them to impact the world. Dr. Hinkle is the first woman appointed as Dean of the College of Theology and Ministry, and we are extremely pleased to add another Spirit-empowered female leader to the elite assemblage of women who presently help lead our University."

Hinkle has developed global education and outreach initiatives to increase student participation in international learning.  Her experience in academic affairs includes new department implementation, revising learning outcomes, creating evidence-based assessments, and fiscal management.  She has led substantive change processes for accreditation purposes and prepared reviews for affirmation reports.  Her initiation of new policies reduced annual expenditures and enhanced course delivery systems. Dr. Hinkle’s academic writings have been published and presented in numerous journals and studies. 

During Hinkle’s administrative leadership of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, she has assisted the academic society in serving over 1,200 international constituents. Her responsibilities include oversight of the annual scholar’s meeting and coordinating the comprehensive program for each event. 

Hinkle shares her gratitude for entering this new role, “I am incredibly humbled and honored to join the legacy at Oral Roberts University.  It is with deep respect for the leaders, scholars, and ministries who have been a part of this institution that I recognize I am stepping into the footsteps of giants who have forged the way.  Thank you for trusting me to serve the ORU family.”

ORU’s College of Theology and Ministry is acknowledged for its unwavering commitment to the highest academic standards and is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Hinkle’s experience, along with professors who have hundreds of years of ministry and missions experience and who hold degrees from prestigious institutions such as Duke, Hebrew University, Vanderbilt, University of Stirling, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Wycliffe College, Fuller Seminary, Drew, and the University of Aberdeen will benefit students greatly as they share their wealth of knowledge and expertise in this college. For more information, please visit the University’s webpage.

 

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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