Advancing Student Engagement and Whole Person Development: ORU Introduces the New Vice-President of Student Life, Lori Cook
Lori Cook
Vice-President of Student Life
Tulsa, Okla.— Oral Roberts University (ORU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Cook as the new Vice-President of Student Life, following the transition of Dr. Clarence Boyd to a new role in the University. Dr. Boyd served as Vice-President of Student Life for five years. He will assume a faculty role in the College of Theology and Ministry and also serve in a newly created position as the Faculty Chaplain. With an exceptional work history in higher education and student development, Cook brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role.
“After months of a diligent search process that produced numerous strong candidates, Lori Cook emerged as the leading choice for this role,” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “Lori has a proven record of serving and inspiring our students. Her exceptional spirit of service will continue to elevate student life at ORU. She will do an excellent job leading our students as they prepare to take their place as leaders for the whole world.”
Dr. Boyd expressed his support for Cook in the Vice-President’s role, saying, “Dean Cook’s years of service qualify her to lead in this position. I am thrilled she said ‘Yes,’ and the future of ORU’s Student Life Department is in good hands.”
Cook is a graduate of ORU with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education and Secondary Teaching, a Master’s degree in management with an emphasis in human resources, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree. Her twenty-five years of employment at ORU include nineteen years in the Student Life Department. She most recently served as the Dean of Student Development and the Dean of Women. Cook was asked about her time at ORU and what she looks forward to in her new role.
Q: What brought you to the University, and how have you led during your time here?
A: During my senior year in high school, I attended an ORU campus visitation weekend, and during those few days, I knew there was something special about ORU. It was a faith journey for me to get to ORU, but the Lord made provision for me every step of the way. During my time as a student, I was part of the Resident Advisor Program and outreach team. The investment of the faculty and staff was life-changing. It helped me further develop and grow in my academic pursuits, leadership skills, and, most importantly, my relationship with the Lord.
One of the most important lessons I have learned during my tenure at ORU and in leadership is that in every season—great or challenging—God is faithful, and the Holy Spirit always leads and guides us. I believe in a servant-leadership model and love learning about leadership. I am often reminded of John Maxwell’s quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I highly value getting to know my staff and students’ stories of how they came to ORU and their life aspirations. My goal has always been to help create a positive, encouraging, and caring environment for the teams I work alongside and the students I engage with.
Q: What led you to consider the VP of Student Life position?
A: After a significant time in prayer and fasting, I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to explore this opportunity to serve the ORU community in a new capacity. It is an honor, and I am humbled to have been appointed to serve in this new role.
Q: What are you most excited about in this new role?
A: There are many reasons that I am excited to serve in this new role. One of the main reasons is that I am looking forward to partnering with the Student Life Team in a new way to enhance the student culture and experience on campus.
Q: What do you want the students and their parents to know about Student Life at the University?
A: We want students and parents to feel welcomed into the ORU family! Additionally, we want each student to know how much the Student Life Team loves, supports, and champions them. We want students to know they belong at ORU. Students can have a myriad of life experiences during their collegiate career, so each student needs to know they are seen and valued and that there is a team of Spirit-led faculty and staff surrounding them with prayer, care, and encouragement.
Q: What are the most important factors of student life at the University?
A: Student life at ORU is part of the educational experience for students. It is vitally essential for the Student Life Team to help create an environment for students to have an exceptional experience that is positive, caring, fun, and, most importantly, Spirit-empowered. Additionally, Student Life values relationships with students through the facilitation of the development of life skills, servant-leadership opportunities, mentorship, and spiritual growth of all students. One of my goals is for the student life experience at ORU to be the best they have experienced.
Q: What have been your most rewarding and challenging moments in Student Life?
A: It has been said that “the product of ORU is a changed life.” Not only has my life been profoundly changed by the ORU experience, but it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve, support, and guide students as they navigate life’s challenges and celebrate their victories. Most recently, one of the most challenging moments was the pandemic season. We wanted to keep the ORU community safe but not sacrifice social engagement and learning. The ORU team did an amazing job protecting each other and maintaining a strong, caring, and engaging environment.
Lori and her husband, Mike, reside in Owasso, Oklahoma with their son. They enjoy fellowshipping with friends over coffee, spending time at the beach, and learning about leadership.
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.