ORU: One of Only 25 U.S. Institutions Awarded Carnegie Foundation’s Leadership for Public Purpose Classification

Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 14, 2024 — Oral Roberts University (ORU) is one of only 25 institutions in the United States to receive the inaugural Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification. This recognition is awarded by the American Council on Education (ACE), the Doerr Institute for New Leaders, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This classification recognizes “institutions that have committed to campus-wide efforts to advance leadership in pursuit of public goods like justice, equity, diversity, and liberty.”

"Receiving this Classification is a testament to our University's unwavering commitment to developing whole leaders who are equipped to address the pressing challenges of our society," said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “This recognition reflects the assiduous effort of our faculty and the dedication of the entire campus community in promoting leadership as an essential component of public purpose."

According to the Carnegie Foundation, leadership for public purpose:

Reflects institutional missions that claim to positively impact society. … Campuses that are committed to leadership for public purpose enhance the learning, teaching, and research mission of their institution by developing leadership abilities in all institutional stakeholders; contributing to the public scholarly understanding of leadership as a public good, and understanding of the sociopolitical contexts, systems, and practices within which all leadership resides; and preparing students for lives of public leadership for public purpose in their careers, communities, and the broader society.

As a University, ORU’s mission is “to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole-person education to impact the world.”  To further this mission, ORU will soon open the David and Barbara Green Centre for Global Leadership (CGL). This Centre will not only serve as an environment for leadership development but also a place where students will be prepared to discover solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

The CGL will:

• advance “spiritual intelligence” in ORU’s future leaders;
• establish a global network of Spirit-empowered leaders across key sectors of society;
• communicate whole person, Spirit-empowered leadership research and insights; and
• give students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Spirit-empowered Global Leadership certificates and degrees.

The David and Barbara Green Centre for Global Leadership, part of ORU’s 
Whole Leaders for the Whole World campaign

“We are delighted to receive the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose,” said ORU Provost Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez. “Our mission impels leadership development in every aspect of an ORU education. Exceptional faculty prepare students to lead in their professions and to address the day’s difficult challenges for the public good. In these ways—and in so many others—ORU leadership commitment reaches from the local community to the ‘uttermost parts of the earth.’”

“Congratulations to these pioneering recipients of the inaugural Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification,” said Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles. “These institutions have demonstrated a relentless commitment to fostering leaders dedicated to the pursuit of vital public goods. Students from these institutions will undoubtedly shape a brighter future for us all, upholding fundamental American values and advancing opportunity for the nation.”

ORU is preparing students for public leadership and purpose in their careers, communities, and the broader society. With the University’s enrollment growing for the 15th consecutive year this fall, students are coming from all around the world to experience academic excellence in a global environment that empowers them intellectually, spiritually, and physically.

UNIVERSITY BRIEF

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 15 years 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 158 nations from 2019 to 2024 to be whole leaders for the whole world.

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2024). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.

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.