Ebony Clark: Growing as a Dancer Through Faith and Family
Tulsa, OK, December 7, 2023
Ebony Clark
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Field of Study: Dance Performance Major | ORU Pom
As an artist and performer, ORU isn’t just a university for Ebony Clark—it’s a sacred space where her passion for dance intertwines with her faith. The dance studio, she says, is more than just a place to learn; it’s a sanctuary where the presence of God permeates every movement.
“Having God integrated into the Dance Department is important,” said Ebony, who is majoring in dance performance. “In many dance studios, there’s a sense of comparison; sometimes, instructors will hold you to a stereotype. But ORU dance instructors are different. They want us to know we're all unique, full of purpose, and we all have enough to offer.”
ORU has not only helped Ebony improve as a dancer, it’s also helped her become more confident. Even the most successful artists have experienced challenges as they create and share their art. As a performer, faith has helped Ebony overcome her challenges and become more self-confident.
“One of my biggest challenges is just myself … my self-doubting thoughts,” said Ebony. “I’ve questioned before whether I’m capable of teaching somebody dance, but my confidence has grown so much at ORU. It’s now easier for me to step out, go first, and speak up. To stay confident, I remain grounded in God’s Word and keep reminding myself that God has called me to be a dancer.”
"In many dance studios, there’s a sense of comparison; sometimes, instructors will hold you to a stereotype. But ORU dance instructors are different. They want us to know we're all unique, full of purpose, and we all have enough to offer.”
Continuing the ORU Legacy
Ebony’s path to ORU was paved by her parents, alumni of the University. They describe her birth as an ORU “graduation gift.” After receiving offers from other universities, Ebony decided to carry forward the ORU legacy.
“My parents introduced me to ORU, and although I had opportunities to go to other universities, having the right foundation was important to me,” said Ebony. “I wanted a close-knit community where I could grow in my faith. Even though I grew up in church, I didn't fully understand why I was going, but coming here opened my eyes. My relationship with God is growing, and when I go to chapel and raise my hands in worship, I am truly thankful for who God is and what He has done for me.”
Finding Family within the ORU Community
As a dancer, Ebony found a family in the Dance Department and a second family in ORU Pom. Behind the scenes, performing on stage or dancing at athletic events, Ebony emphasizes the important role relationships play in her performances. For Ebony, these relationships are important, but of more importance is glorifying God through dance.
“You hear a lot from athletes that they grow into being a family,” said Ebony. “It’s true. I feel like the Dance Department and ORU Pom are my family. We have this bond in and outside of rehearsal. Through this bond, people experience the Lord when we dance. Having God's presence in our dance space and inviting the Holy Spirit into our performances helps build our confidence as dancers.”
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 151 nations (from 2019 to 2023) 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.