# Oral Roberts University

> interdenominational, Christian, comprehensive liberal arts university

**Wikidata**: [Q3121493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3121493)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_Roberts_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oral-roberts-university

## Summary
Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university founded in 1963 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It emphasizes faith-based education, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines like business, theology, and science. As a non-profit institution, ORU integrates evangelical values with academic rigor, serving over 4,300 students annually.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1963 by televangelist Oral Roberts.
- **Location**: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA (36.05056° N, -95.95245° W).
- **Type**: Private, non-profit, interdenominational Christian university.
- **Religious Affiliation**: Protestantism.
- **Enrollment**: 4,317 students (as of 2020).
- **Endowment**: $45.06 million (2020).
- **Notable Donation**: $70 million from Hobby Lobby founder David Green in 2007 to resolve financial crises.
- **Athletics**: Competes as the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in NCAA Division I.
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester system.

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded Oral Roberts University?
A: Oral Roberts University was founded in 1963 by evangelist Oral Roberts, who sought to create an institution blending Christian faith with academic excellence.

### Q: What religious denomination is ORU affiliated with?
A: ORU is interdenominational but rooted in Protestantism, welcoming students from diverse Christian backgrounds.

### Q: How many students attend ORU?
A: As of 2020, the university enrolled 4,317 students, with an admission rate of 78%.

### Q: What is ORU’s connection to Hobby Lobby?
A: In 2007, Hobby Lobby founder David Green donated $70 million to ORU, restructuring its governance and stabilizing its finances.

## Why It Matters
Oral Roberts University plays a significant role in evangelical higher education, offering a unique blend of spiritual development and academic training. Founded during the rise of American televangelism, ORU has weathered financial challenges, including a landmark 2007 bailout by David Green, ensuring its continued mission to "equip graduates to impact the world for Christ." The university contributes to Tulsa’s cultural and economic landscape, emphasizing community service and faith-informed leadership across professions like ministry, healthcare, and business.

## Notable For
- **Interdenominational Focus**: One of the largest evangelical universities in the U.S., fostering unity among Christian traditions.
- **2007 Financial Rescue**: David Green’s $70 million donation restructured the university, highlighting the intersection of philanthropy and religious institutions.
- **Faith-Integrated Curriculum**: Combines biblical studies with STEM, arts, and professional programs, requiring chapel attendance and spiritual formation.
- **Architectural Landmark**: Modernist campus design, including the iconic 900-foot Prayer Tower, symbolizing ORU’s spiritual mission.

## Body
### History
- **Founding**: Established in 1963 by Oral Roberts, a prominent televangelist, with a mission to educate students "for the marketplace, not the monastery."
- **Milestones**: Opened in 1965; weathered financial struggles in the 1980s and 2000s, including a 2007 crisis resolved by David Green’s donation.

### Academics
- **Programs**: Over 140 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, including theology, nursing, and engineering.
- **Carnegie Classification**: "Master’s Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs" with a focus on professional and arts/sciences education.
- **Accreditations**: Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

### Athletics
- **Teams**: The Golden Eagles compete in NCAA Division I (Summit League) in sports like basketball, soccer, and tennis.
- **Facilities**: Mabee Center (4,200-seat arena) hosts university and community events.

### Financials
- **Endowment**: $45.06 million (2020), supplemented by donations and tuition.
- **David Green’s Role**: His 2007 gift included replacing the board of trustees, ensuring long-term stability.

### Demographics
- **Student Body**: 4,317 students (2020), with 21% admission yield rate (2020).
- **Diversity**: Students represent all 50 U.S. states and over 50 countries.

### Online Presence
- **Social Media**: Active on platforms like Instagram (@oralrobertsu), YouTube (41,000 subscribers as of 2024), and TikTok.
- **Website**: [oru.edu](https://oru.edu/) (primary source for admissions and programs).

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](http://www.oruathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2017-18/files/2017-18WBBQuickFacts.pdf)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](http://oru.edu)
9. [Source](https://oru.edu/)
10. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
11. GRID Release 2015-12-14
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
14. [Source](https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/09/18/david-green-the-biblical-billionaire-backing-the-evangelical-movement/)
15. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
16. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
18. YouTube API
19. National Center for Education Statistics