ORU Celebrates Class of 2022 Graduates at Spring Commencement
Tulsa, Okla.—Oral Roberts University (ORU) held its Spring 2022 Commencement on April 30th. With 919 degree candidates, this year’s graduating class reflects the record growth occurring at ORU. The University’s student body has increased every year for the last 13 years. In the Fall of 2021, ORU saw a 10% surge in student enrollment, the most significant year-over-year recorded percentage rise at ORU in over 25 years.
As part of the Commencement proceedings, ORU President William Wilson offered this advice: “Today, you have joined over 31,000 alumni who have graduated from this University. You will always be a part of ORU. As you leave, you are leaving not only as a graduate but as a Holy Spirit-empowered leader. Pursue your dreams, have faith in God, live boldly, and turn your visions into reality. You are commissioned to go change the world.”
Representing the class of 2022, ORU senior Schlitz Masheleni delivered an address to the graduates and those in attendance. As part of his address, Masheleni said, “Today is our graduation but also our great commission. Oral Roberts’ vision was to ‘raise up students to reach the uttermost bounds,’ My fellow graduates, the uttermost bounds are waiting. ORU, we leave you with our love, but it’s never goodbye, merely a ‘see you later.’ Continue to change the world, my alma mater.”
“My time at ORU has been very impactful,” said Garrett Smith, Mechanical Engineering major. “My understanding of leadership has developed and I feel well prepared for my profession. When I came to ORU, the person I was is different from the person I am now. I’m thankful for the change that has occurred in my life, and I truly believe in the University's mission and vision. I believe this will serve me well as I follow God into the professional world, wherever His Spirit leads me.”
Nicole Vega, Psychology and Social Work major had this to say, “ORU has been home away from home. As an international student, it’s difficult to make such a big transition, but ORU has always made me feel so loved, welcomed, and part of the community. Since day one, the Lord has been part of this beautiful journey, and today I can say that my life has changed completely since my freshman year. I leave ORU empowered and equipped with The Holy Spirit.”
“ORU has changed my life,” Kathy Jovel, International Community Development major added. “I have grown intellectually, professionally, and most important, spiritually. ORU has impacted me beyond what I expected, and God has used every professor, student, and leader to leave a mark in my life.”
With over four decades of graduating “Whole Leaders for the Whole World,” this year marked the 55th commencement for ORU. As a globally recognized University, ORU continues to develop Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world.
Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez encouraged the graduates with these words, “While we recognize that this celebration concludes this phase of your education, we also know that education is a journey that never completely ends. Today, we recognize the beginning—or advancement—of your professional calling. I am sure you can attest that ORU has rigorously equipped you for the challenges ahead. The entire university anticipates hearing about your accomplishments that will happen beyond these walls. We know that you will do your part—Spirit, mind, and body—to be a force for good in our world through the power of the Holy Spirit, wherever His plans may lead you.”
Congratulations to the class of 2022!
The Commencement is available to view on ORU’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.
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 126 nations 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 ranked ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America.
ORU is 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.