ORU Continues Winning Streak at Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature
Recently, the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (OIL) delegation from Oral Roberts University was recognized as the Overall Best Delegation for the fifth consecutive time at the state capitol in Oklahoma City. The Oral Roberts delegation competed against a number of Oklahoma universities including Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Tulsa.
OIL is a student-run mock government that replicates all three branches of the state government of Oklahoma and provides students from higher education institutions across the state an opportunity to write, debate, and pass legislation about issues they believe are important. Besides the mock legislature, OIL also contains a mock executive branch, moot court, and a newly formed press corps.
Several members of the Oral Roberts OIL delegation also captured individual awards:
Best Senate Delegate
1st Place - Jessica Craig
2nd Place - Pamela Rachel
Best House Delegate
1st Place - Andrew Ahles
3rd Place - Rebekah Johnson
Best Senate Freshman (First-time OIL participants)
1st Place - Jentre Olsen
2nd Place - Dana Ranalli
Best House Freshman
1st Place - Wes Hill
Best Senate Legislation
2nd Place - Dana Ranalli and Becky Knight
Best House Legislation
3rd Place - Rebekah Johnson
Andrew Ahles, the delegation chair and a junior New Testament major at Oral Roberts University, said, "OIL is a great experience because it gives everyone the opportunity to dialogue with different political and social viewpoints. The delegation does not select people based on their political beliefs, but rather encourages delegates to know where they stand on an issue and why. OIL provides practical experience in cooperation, leadership, and respect which will prove invaluable later in life, whether pursuing politics or not. We had a hard-working and dedicated delegation and I am extremely proud of every member." Dr. Michael Hirlinger, faculty advisor for OIL, concurred and said, "I have been absolutely impressed with this group since the first day we met and have been blessed to be a part of such a motivated group of individuals."