Raja Lagadapati’s Journey from the Coast of India to Student Association President
Hometown: Kakinada, India
Computer Science
In Oklahoma, there isn’t a more diverse university than ORU’s international campus,
which has been ranked the state’s most diverse university 3 years in a row (Niche
2023, 2024, 2025). So it should come as no surprise to find Abhishek "Raja" Lagadapati
at ORU, a long way from his home, the coastal town of Kakinada, India. But if you
tell this to Raja, a Computer Science major, he might disagree; he’s still a little
surprised to find himself at ORU.
“It’s definitely a miracle I’m here,” Raja said. “I had offers from other universities, and a lot of things pulling me in other directions, but I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to check out ORU on YouTube. When I saw the campus, I thought, ‘What is this place!?!?’ Initially, I had doubts, but the college you choose should offer more than just a piece of paper. When I decided to go to ORU, the university reached out that night and increased my scholarship. This was a confirmation from the Lord."
Sometimes, when God calls you, His call comes with obstacles. It’s an important lesson that Raja has learned at ORU. After arriving on campus, Raja missed out on several leadership positions. This, however, didn’t deter him. Instead, he was faithful with the little and worked as a Peer Success Coach and teaching assistant, while at the same time competing on ORU's Esports team, working at Chick-fil-A, and carrying 18+ credit hours, all of which was a preparation for what was coming up ahead.
“If not for the rejections,” Raja said, “I wouldn’t have learned how to lead in those other roles. The Lord knew what was best for me long before I knew. At ORU, I’ve deepened my trust in God. His thoughts are higher than mine, and those rejections helped build my character. Being at ORU has taught me resilience.”
Personal resilience … it’s one of the five learning outcomes at ORU (along with Spiritual Integrity, Intellectual Pursuit, Global Engagement, and Bold Vision). This type of resilience is described by Raja as “try, try, try … reject, reject, reject ... success!” Last Spring, Raja’s resilience was tested again when he decided to “try” running for Student Association President. For Raja, the decision wasn’t an easy one.
“A friend of mine thought I should run,” Raja said, “and at first, it sounded like a joke. I was thinking, ‘Who am I to run for Student Association president? I’m just a small-town boy from India whose life was a train wreck before coming to ORU.’ But since arriving on campus, I’ve been shaped and transformed by God, friends, mentors, and Chapel. So I prayed for God's will and walked in obedience to what He called me to.”
"I’m just a small-town boy from India whose life was a train wreck before coming to ORU.’ But since arriving on campus, I’ve been shaped and transformed by God, friends, mentors, and Chapel."
As Raja’s story shows, leadership is often the product of resilience and your response to “reject, reject, reject.” In running for President, Raja initially had difficulties finding a running mate. But with the deadline fast approaching, God made a way. He found the right running mate, Hayden Jones, who manages ORU’s Esports team. It was just another opportunity for Raja to obey and to build upon the personal resilience he'd developed at ORU. Ultimately, that resilience paid off. In April, Raja—a “small-town boy from India”—and Hayden were elected the new president and vice-president of ORU’s Student Association.
“Winning was surreal,” Raja said, “because I didn’t feel like the most talented or the most popular in the race But time and time again, you see the Lord using the least qualified people to do great things. As Christians, we’re called to endure. It reminds me of the quote from Winston Churchill: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ The Christian journey is a continuous journey, and if I had gone to any other university, none of this would’ve ever happened. This proves to me that being obedient to God's voice bears much fruit at the end, even though it doesn't make sense at times.”
For more information on ORU’s Computer Science degree, visit oru.edu.
UNIVERSITY BRIEF
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 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 165 nations in the last 5 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 (2025). 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 has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 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. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society.
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.
