Why ORU? Madison McDowell Has Your Answer (But It’s So Much More than Just One Thing)
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas
Strategic Media
You might make your college choice based on something as simple as location. Or maybe it’s because you like a university’s basketball team. Or maybe you’re a legacy, and you want to follow in your parents’ footsteps.
For ORU’s Madison “Madie” McDowell, her college choice began with a somewhat reluctant step onto the ORU campus. As a senior in high school, she had already chosen a different university. But on a whim, she decided to visit ORU. The only problem … it was winter in Tulsa, and the ORU campus was empty.
“Everyone was on winter break,” Madie said, “so there weren’t any students around.
But I fell in love with the campus—it was beautiful—and the staff treated us so well.
I remember stepping into the empty chapel. It was dark inside, but the outside light
was pouring in. I felt an overwhelming peace, and I thought, ‘This is where I’m supposed
to be.’”
"What are you doing to put yourself out there? College isn’t just about going to class, going to eat, and going back to your room. It’s important to get connected with leaders who are involved and then learn from them. The more involved I’ve become at ORU, the more my confidence has grown.”
The People behind the “Why?”
When people ask “Why ORU?”, God’s presence is a big part of the answer. Step on to campus, and you feel His presence everywhere; the classrooms, the iconic Prayer Tower, the Eternal Flame burning on campus. But there’s more to say about ORU when someone asks “Why ORU?” There’s the prayerful staff too.
“My admissions counselor was always praying for me,” Madie said. “She played a big part in my decision to come to ORU. You also see this on campus. You might be going through something, and a professor will ask, ‘Have you prayed? Have you read your Bible? Have you talked to the Lord about it?’ Outside of my parents, to have someone say, ‘I’m praying for you. I’m here for you,’ I’ve never had that in my life. Even President Wilson, standing up on stage, says, ‘I love you guys.’”
“I found a group of girls on campus,” Madie said, “who helped me find my voice. And my roommate Lydia, she pours into me. We talk about the Bible all the time, and now, I’m forming my own opinions about the world around me. With Lydia’s encouragement, I’ve learned to say what I’m thinking. As a friend, Lydia has helped me grow both spiritually and emotionally.”
A Community of Worshipers, and a Community of Leaders
Stepping into that empty chapel two years ago, Madie felt God’s presence. It was an important moment in answering her “Why ORU?” Today, that answer has grown into a crowded chapel filled with a student body who prays together, worships together, and seeks God together. So why chapel? As Madie explains it, chapel’s important because of worship, but it’s also important because of connectedness.
“Chapel is a chance to breathe,” Madie said. “It’s a time to be with the Lord, a time to pray for those around you. There’s great worship and great music, but chapel is about the people too. It moves me to see not only the whole campus there but also your professors. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life … to be a part of this big community of people who are all chasing Jesus together.”
When it comes to answering “Why ORU?”, Madie answers the question well … so well she’s now working as an ORU Brand Ambassador, creating content for the Instagram account @HeadedToORU. It’s a leadership position, one that puts Madie in front of thousands of prospective students on a daily basis. As a brand ambassador, Madie says she’s grown as a leader, which is another answer—among many—for her “Why ORU?”.
“ORU does a great job of including me,” Madie said. “If you want to lead something, you can always find an opportunity on campus. When people don’t get involved, my question to them is ‘What are you doing to put yourself out there?’ College isn’t just about going to class, going to eat, and going back to your room. It’s important to get connected with leaders who are involved and then learn from them. The more involved I’ve become at ORU, the more my confidence has grown.”
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 in the last four years 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.