ORU Announces 2026 Commencement Speaker Hans Helmerich
Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 17, 2026—Oral Roberts University (ORU) is pleased to announce that Hans Helmerich, Chairman of the Board of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., will serve as the keynote speaker for ORU’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Commencement will take place at the Mabee Center on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (CDT), with doors opening at 11:30 a.m.
“We are honored to welcome Hans Helmerich as our Commencement speaker,” said ORU President William M. Wilson. “Mr. Helmerich exemplifies principled leadership, long-term vision, and a deep commitment to excellence. His career embodies exactly what we're developing in our graduates: leaders who don't just achieve success—they define it with integrity, influence it with wisdom, and sustain it with character.”
Helmerich serves as Chairman of the Board of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.(H&P), a Tulsa-based company founded in 1920 and recognized globally for its leadership in drilling productivity, reliability, and innovation. He previously served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer for 25 years, guiding H&P through decades of growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to operational excellence, safety, and integrity.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Helmerich has been a valued supporter and engaged partner of ORU. He previously served as a guest speaker at the inaugural P.E.C.E. (Partners in Economics, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship) Fenimore & Fisher College of Business luncheon and as a panelist at ORU’s Presidential Summit, offering leadership insights and perspectives to students, faculty, and university leaders.
Commencement will be broadcast live on ORU’s international television network GEB (available on DirecTV channel 363 and locally on KGEB-TV 53/Cox HD) as well as on Amazon Fire, Roku, Apple TV, and GEB.tv. Family and friends can also watch the ceremony live on ORU’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
For more information about ORU Commencement 2026, please visit ORU’s website.
Nationally Ranked, Globally Recognized
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 17 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. In 2024, the Carnegie Foundation recognized ORU with a “Leadership for Public Purpose” award, a distinction earned by only 25 universities nationwide. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 176 nations in the last 7 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.
