Not Just a University Experience, a God Experience Too: Why Freshman Jason Abraham Chose ORU

Jason Abraham

Hometown: Jenks, Oklahoma

Like many of his friends, ORU’s Jason Abraham had plans to attend a prominent state university. As a high school senior, he pushed God out of the picture and began focusing on what he thought college life should be about … parties, nightlife, and no one to answer to. He was following the crowd, seeking, as he describes it, “what every high school guy wants.” But on a whim, he applied to ORU, never having visited the campus and not really knowing much about the University.  

“At first, I was against the idea of going to ORU,” Jason said. “A couple people I knew labeled ORU a ‘Christian school,’ and because of that, I had a misconception about ORU.”

Building Faith and Character in College 

Jason had several college applications open, but the only one he finished was his application to ORU. When ORU accepted him, Jason says it was a “shock,” one that he was hesitant to pursue. But during his first week on campus, Jason discovered a college home that was more than just a university. He encountered an experience of transformation.

“I came into this blindly,” Jason said, “but during that first week at ORU, God did so much within me. I went from this worldly kid who liked to party to a person of faith. God came back into my life, and He gave me the strength to cut ties with my past and start new with a clean slate.”

Jason said his preconceived thoughts about ORU were not true. Yes, ORU students live by an Honor Code, one that asks them to live virtuously, exercise accountability, and look inward instead of outward. But to Jason, the Honor Code is a character builder and a life-changing tool.

“I like the fact that we have an Honor Code,” Jason said. “It’s setting a foundation for my college and professional career. At ORU, I’m practicing self-discipline, which is the starting point for building and strengthening my character. I think character is what separates ORU students from a lot of other college students.”

The University Experience at ORU 

Now that he’s on campus, Jason’s discovered that ORU isn’t just a “Christian school”; it’s a nationally-recognized university, one that’s grown in enrollment for 14-consecutive years and been named Oklahoma’s most diverse university by Niche. At ORU, students live in a supportive community, one—not unlike other universities—that offers a vibrant college life. As a freshman, Jason says his college experience at ORU has lived up to the college experience as he imagined it.

“There’s so much to do on campus,” Jason said. “Right now, I’m part of The Nest [ORU’s student section at sporting events], and during Fall Outreach, the campus went door-to-door and collected canned goods to help the Tulsa community. I’m also meeting a lot of new people, especially on my dorm floor. Some of my closest friends are the people I live with. It might not be called a ‘fraternity,’ but when I think about the guys living around me, I’ve definitely found myself a brotherhood at ORU.”  

 

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 142 nations (from 2019 to 2022) 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.