February 18th Print Edition

Turmoil at Home Invisible Children

Page 6 Page 7

Egyption Revolt Muslim Outreach

Page 14 Page 15

Courtesy Photo

Student Documentary: Invisible Children

PLUS: Snowpolcalypse - Special Section Student Center Secrets - Page 8-9 SA Elections - Page 13

Oral Roberts University • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011

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Contents

N

10

File your taxes correctly (and cheaply) this year with our how-to guide

o Spring Break? Saturday classes? How will we make up all these SNOW DAYS?

News: Surviving “Snowpocalypse” and its lasting effects

4-5 & Special Insert

Campus: Death and taxes are inevitable; difficulty filing isn’t

12

Faith: Telling the story of a baby’s miraculous healing Faculty member’s newborn recovers after chapel prayers

18

Sports: An injury couldn’t even stop this athlete’s dream ORU’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been reignited

21

Scene: And the Oscar goes to...

24

Forum: Are SA Elections just “Choosing Your Brand of Vanilla”?

What if mainstream audiences got to decide the Academy Awards? See what films got this year’s top votes!

Forum Editor Daniel Tsubota explores the quality of presidential candidates Photo by Aundrea Pickett

Web: Curious about what happened at this past month’s Board of Trustees meeting? We’ve got all the news on President Rutland’s special press conference, including coverage on the

Tuition Increase, Litigation Report, Athletics Task Force, and the HUB! Check it out online!

oruoracle.com

correction • In the Feb. 4th print edition, a headline to the article on the Tulsa-based band Stars Go Dim incorrectly stated that the band had released its second album. The band had actually only released a self-titled EP and then had released a full album.

clarification • In the Feb. 4th print edition, an information box listing former ORU basketball stars that served in the NBA left a player off the list. Alvin Scott, a 1977 grad, played as a forward and guard for the Phoenix Suns from 1977-1985.

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 3

News

The Oracle News Editor is Nathanael Robertson You may contact him with comments or questions at nathanaelrobertson@oru.edu.

For more in News, check out oruoracle.com

Snow Days Cause Missed Classes, Backed-Up Schedules

Faculty and Students Collaborate To Make Up Six Days Of Lost Time and Education

If every gift has its price, then some ORU students may not be ready to sacrifice what’s ahead.

After enjoying six days off from school in the past month, professors and administrators are scrambling to find ways to make up for the lost time.

“It’s put me back about a week in teaching,” said professor Joe Cannon. “I’m going to have to really put it in high gear to catch up the rest of the semester.”

With rumor of extra days and night classes circulating campus, how exactly will the snow days be made up?

“While some teachers have the option to add classes on Saturdays or evenings, I’m encouraging them to do it by consensus with their students,” said Dr. Debora Sowell, vice president of academic affairs. “There will be some of that, but it won’t be required across the curriculum.”

Among added classes, teachers have come up with other resourceful ways to make up the lost time.

Senior nursing major Matt Ortiz missed a clinical (when a nursing major goes to a health-care facility and work with nurse) and was assigned a project by nursing professor Laurie Doerner that would account for 12 hours of missed clinical time.

“It doesn’t entirely make up for it,” said Ortiz. “You don’t get the patient contact, but I feel like it’s a positive experience because the project still focuses on clinical applications.”

Other make-up methods used by teachers include online lessons, online exams, taped lectures and giving outlines of missed material.

“Our faculty is so resourceful,” said Sowell. “I can’t

Photo by Christiane Hill

Students slid down hills on anything they could get their hands on, including Saga trays. believe the ideas that they have been sharing with one another so that they can make up not the time that was lost, but make up the education that was lost.”

Spanish professor Brenda Calderon will start her classes ten minutes early.

She will also not give exams in class, but have students check them out from the office.

Dr. Steve Greene, dean of the College of Business, chemistry professor Dr. George Thyvelikakath and media professor Mark Labash are among those who will be holding Saturday classes. Greene’s class will combine undergrad and grad marketing students together, which is a “win win for both of them,” according to Sowell.

“I would rather meet on a Saturday for about three hours, than listen to my instructor rush through a 55-minute lecture on material that I’m barely understanding or grasping,” said sophomore Kyla Combs, a student in

Keepin.It.Brief

Thyvelikakath’s class.

However, not all students feel the same way.

“I’m personally relieved none of my classes have extra days,” said sophomore Tori Dollar. “I don’t really like the idea of having class on Saturdays ; it’s one of the few days when we’re not supposed to worry about school.”

However teachers will be making up the missed time, Sowell insists that it is the lost education, not the lost time, that will be made up.

“In order to maintain our accreditation, we have to meet the goals and objectives of the quality education that ORU is known for,” explained Sowell.

“Instead of needing to be in class X number of hours, we need to make sure that the competencies and consistencies that we say our students are going to have when they graduate, they actually have.”

By Nathanael Robertson

By Katy Miller, Ericka Mingus and Nathanael Robertson

Stop by Career Expo to Meet Employers

Rutland Announces Tuition ORU Dance Team Increase for 2011-2012 Hosting Clinic for Girls

Battle of the Bands Repeats Winner

Career Services will be hosting its biannual expo Feb. 23 on LRC 3 from noon-3:30 p.m.

More than 20 companies will be at the expo aimed at connecting job-seeking students to employers.

Students will also be able to attend professional development events during Career Week to prepare for the expo.

At a press conference on Feb. 15, President Mark Rutland announced a 3.5 percent tuition increase for next year. Rutland asked his administration to keep the increase under 5 percent and said he is “very pleased” with the 3.5 percent number. “We just live in a world where stuff costs more than it used to,” he said.

On Feb. 15, Carnegie contended with six rival acts to win the annual Battle of the Bands competition for the second year in a row.

Page 4 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

The ORU cheer and dance teams will host a clinic for girls Feb. 24 and 25. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the AC practice room. The girls will then perform the routine during the ORU women’s basketball game against Western Illinois on Feb. 26.

Record Snow Falls ORU Enjoys a Six-Day Weekend

On Feb. 1, 2011, Tulsa received more than a foot of snow—the most in history.

ORU shut down four days in a row, providing students with what some called a six-day weekend.

After six snow days, one in January and five this month, it is hard to imagine a time at ORU when the administration would refuse to cancel classes and take a snow day.

Yet, this is the picture ORU resembled for almost 40 years.

Coach Glenn Smith has been a full-time HPE professor and athletic trainer for 39 years. In his time at ORU, he has only once seen classes canceled due to snow.

“We just never had them,” Smith said. “Maybe [it was] because we didn’t have as many commuters as we do now.”

“Sometime in the ‘90s, we had one snow day when they said ‘don’t come in,’” Smith recalled.

Smith believes that in the past, the administration refused to cancel classes in order to keep to the set academic calendar.

Smith feels that this change in policy occurred with the new administration, and that ORU closes its doors due to the road conditions, rather than what the other school systems are doing.

“They just believe it’s a little too dangerous and that’s commendable,” Smith said. “They’re concerned for the safety of the students.”

Smith thinks the change is a great idea.

“There’s just a more liberal policy,” he said. “It’s good for our commuters. Our kids don’t need to drive out and take chances. It’s a more safe approach.”

During the week of the storm, 1,065 injuries and 750 falls attributed to the snow and ice were reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Winter storm-related injuries were reported at hospitals throughout Oklahoma on Feb. 8-9, totaling more than 240.

Of that number, 174 injuries were attributed to falls.

Charles Meadows, a freshman commuter living in Broken Arrow, factors in time when traveling to school, especially in bad weather.

Photo by Aundrea Pickett

Students have enjoyed six snow days this year—one in January and five in February.

“One of the things about being a commuter is you always have to think about time,” Meadows said. “I try to be at school 15 to 20 minutes early. It’s just good to have that cushion of time in case there is traffic.”

“It probably takes about 25 to 30 minutes [to get to ORU] and somewhere between 20 and 25 minutes on a good day,” Meadows said.

Meadows is grateful for snow days because “if [ORU] never canceled, it’d be way too dangerous for us to travel. It’d be unsafe, not just for students but faculty, too.”

The snow had Meadows and his family trapped inside their home for four days, the same amount of days ORU canceled its classes.

“There would’ve been no possible way for me to get out of the house,” Meadows said.

Hannah Emami, also a commuter, lives only 10 minutes away from ORU and gives herself plenty of time to get to class.

“I leave 20 minutes before class just in case of traffic and also give myself a good amount of time to walk to class if I get a bad parking spot,” she said. Even

if ORU hadn’t canceled classes, Emami still wouldn’t have been able to drive.

“There was no possible way for me to even back out of my garage,” she said. “The snow was piled up against it. I would’ve had to dig my way out.”

In inclement weather, such as snow or rain, Emami has to take extra precautions. “I have to allow extra time for me to drive to school,” she said. “I have to be more careful driving and drive slower.”

By Halle Byrams

Personnel Building Evacuated The Personnel Building, which years ago housed ORU’s athletes and most recently, the finance department, is being evacuated.

The personnel building, located in front of the Aerobics Center, used to be an athletic dorm years ago but soon NCAA’s rules changed and athletes were no longer permitted to live separately from other students. After that, the athletic dorm became the personnel building that housed the financial and accounting department.

“We’re gonna empty it out,” said

Tim Philley, chief operations officer.

“There are three floors, no elevator, and accounting was spread throughout those floors.”

The finance department will move across the street to the City Plex towers.

“It’s more efficient for the department,” Philley said.

As for the future of the building, Philley stated, “we’re looking at a lot of different things. We don’t know what we’re doing with it yet. We may just use it for another department in the future.”

By Halle Byrams

Photo By Kathleen Kelley

Ryan Graham spent time on his snowboard during the snow days.

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 5

Campus

The Oracle Campus Editor is Rachel Whitlock You may contact her with comments or questions at oraclelifeeditor@oru.edu For more in Campus, check out oruoracle.com Internet Photo

Countries in Turmoil Students Reflect on Civil Strife When freshman Takudzwa Samupunga says “the weather is insane here,” he is even more shocked by Tulsa’s bizarre seasons than most students are.

Samupunga is from Zimbabwe and had never visited the United States before coming to ORU to start taking classes last August.

The process of applying both to the college and for the necessary visas to study in the United States took three years.

However, he is quick to say that adjusting to American culture was not difficult for him.

“Most people here are pretty friendly, so it’s easier to adjust,” Samupunga said.

The United States remains an ideal for prosperity in Zimbabwe.

“Being born and raised in Zimbabwe my whole life, coming to America was a big deal.

Back home, America is something big, something spectacular, the best country in the world,” Samupunga said.

According to Samupunga, this perception of the United States also birthed the expression “this is not America” in relation to the issues that Zimbabwe is still trying to recover from.

These include hyperinflation and an unemployment rate as high as 94 percent, which drove

many to leave the country.

Food and electricity shortages in rural areas especially also had a huge effect on the standard of living, which has only recently begun to turn around.

“The culture is something I’m proud of. I grew up there, and I learned there...I really enjoy being in America, but I still know where I’m going,” said Samu-

friendly.”

Papua New Guinea boasts literally hundreds of ethnic groups, and that heterogeneous culture enabled Chikoti-Bandua’s family to maintain and pass on their Angolan values and way of life, despite being in the South Pacific.

“No matter where you go, you’re still Angolan,” said Chikoti-Bandua.

While in her last year of high school, Chikoti-Bandua’s father passed away, followed by her grandfather seven months later.

Her family was then homeless for seven months, and plans that were made for college were put on hold.

“Everything that I thought I believed in was just shaken up,” said Chikoti-Bandua.

Despite those circumstances, she later applied to ORU, believing she would come up with the money to attend.

Now, nearly four years later, Chikoti-Bandua will be the first person in her family to graduate from college.

“My faith isn’t just based on the pulpit. I’ve lived it. I don’t feel like I’d have the appreciation for my life the way it is otherwise,” she said.

By Rachel Whitlock

Everything that I thought I believed in was just shaken up.

Valeriana Chikoti-Bandua Senior punga.

He plans on returning home after getting his degree in accounting to help with the family business.

Valeriana Chikoti-Bandua, a senior managerial information systems major, was born in Zambia but is Angolan, her family having fled from the civil war in their country.

“I have a lot of extended family who were killed in the [civil] war, a lot of cousins who are orphans,” Chikoti-Bandua said.

Her family then left Zambia when she was three years old for Papua New Guinea, a country Chikoti-Bandua calls “warm and

Page 6 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

Help fill the need this winter.

The John 3:16 Mission supports Tulsa-area families, children and the homeless at two ministry sites. The shelter operates year-round and currently needs the following: • Canned Foods • Monetary Donations • Gently Used Clothing • Functioning Electronics • Furniture (cannot accept mattresses) • Cookware • Toys Donations may be dropped off at or sent to: John 3:16 Mission, Inc. 506 N. Cheyenne, Tulsa, OK, 74103 OR 2027 N. Cincinnati, Tulsa, OK, 74106 For pick up of larger/furniture donations, please call (918)592-1186.

Monetary donations may be mailed to: 205 E. Pine Street, Tulsa, OK, 74106

www.john316mission.org John 3:16 Mission is a faith-based organization that strives to bring the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ to homeless and at-risk men, women and children in Tulsa by meeting their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

Students march outside the U.S. Capitol Building during filming of the documentary.

Courtesy Photo

Invisible Children For the past 23 years, Uganda has hosted what has been called the most overlooked humanitarian crisis in the world.

The Lord’s Resistance Army and the Government of Uganda have instigated a war that has affected close to 2 million innocent residents who are caught in between this disaster.

The government of Uganda has been largely unsuccessful in protecting its inhabitants from this rebel militia.

The calamity of this war has birthed a generation of young people who have never known freedom from strife.

Invisible Children is using the power of the media to inspire people to help end the longest running war in Africa.

As a non-profit organization, Invisible Children makes documentaries about war-affected children in east Africa with a main focus on Uganda.

They show these videos around the country to call people to action and to make them aware of the injustices happening worldwide.

On “The Congo Tour,” Invisible Children will be stopping by the ORU campus for a screening of its most recent docu-

mentary, “Tony.”

“It’s being called their most powerful film yet,” said Amber Albrektsen, public relations and advertising director for the campus Social Justice Society.

Invisible Children first met young Tony Bazilo while filming the documentary “Invisible Children: Rough Cut.” He stood out to the filmmakers because of his personality and perseverance through Uganda’s war.

In 2010, Bazilo brought his story of survival to America. Although terror has followed Bazilo throughout his life, he refuses to give up on Uganda.

He wants to see his nation rebuilt.

Invisible Children stands by him and his insistence to see this goal through.

Students will have the opportunity to see this documentary free of charge on March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in GC 5116. While no limit is set on how many can come, the location holds about 170 people. Early arrival is suggested to ensure a seat.

Achola Harriet, a Ugandan student, will also be present on this tour. She will be describing her personal life experience with this long-running war.

“They have a different student for each

The “Tony” documentary will stop by ORU on March 1. tour group. She’s the one touring the MidAmerica section,” Albreksten said.

This is not ORU’s first event with Invisible Children.

“We had an event with them last semester, and I was in contact with them to organize the event so I already had a connection with the organization,” Albreksten said. “They’re familiar with ORU so they’re

Courtesy Photo

more than willing to work with us.”

Extra credit will be offered for all humanities, history, and government class (with the exception of Professor Kern’s) students who attend this presentation.

Go to www.invisiblechildren.com to learn more about Invisible Children and to see if you can take part in this movement.

By Lindsey Buie

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 7

Liberty University’s Tilley Student Center features a small stage for live music. The facility opened in September 2008.

Liberty University Photo

Liberty U. Leads the Way in Student Union Facilities Not Many Christian Universities Have Buildings Dedicated as Places Where Students Can Simply Relax When the new Armand Hammer Alumni Student Union Building opens, ORU will become one of the few Christian universities in the country with a building dedicated as a place for students to hang out and relax.

When it comes to student unions, Liberty University, founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell in Lynchburg, Va., appears to lead the way among Christian colleges and universities. With 12,000 undergraduate on-campus students, Liberty bills itself as “the world’s largest Christian university.”

Liberty’s centerpiece is the LaHaye Student Union, which is comprised of several facilities, including the Tilley Student Center, named in honor of donors Thomas and Iris Tilley, the in-laws of Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. The center opened in September 2008 and sees about 80,000 to 100,000 students a month. It hosts a café, billiards tables, ping pong tables, flat-screen TV’s, a poker table and four PS3s, which can be rented out. It also hosts a stage with projectors where concerts and open-mic nights are held.

The Tilley Student Center is one of several facilities on campus dedicated to students’ leisure enjoyment.

The school also has a ski slope, hockey rink, two indoor soccer fields, rock-climbing wall, fitness center, paintball field and a clubhouse with an outdoor swimming pool.

“The vision of the (Tilley) Student Center and other recreational options on campus is to provide students with alternative options, which help retract and steer away from the other experiences like drinking and partying and the other things associated with college life,” said Tim Talley, associate director of facility operations.

Although curfew ranges from midnight to 1 a.m., students can be in the Tilley Student Center until 2 a.m. as long as they are electronically swiped into the building.

“We want to give them an alternative for Friday and Saturday nights,” said Tailley.

By Nathanael Robertson Page 8 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

WHAT OTHER CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OFFER Wheaton College -Wheaton, Ill. The Todd M. Beamer Student Center, known as the “family room” of the campus hosts the cafeteria, chapel, prayer room, student offices, game room (checkers, ping pong, TV’s) and fast-food restaurants.

Dallas Baptist University - Dallas, Texas The John G. Mahler Student Center hosts the cafeteria, dining hall, post office, bookstore and meeting rooms.

The second floor of the Mahler Student Center, known as “the loft,” hosts TV’s, ping pong, air hockey and foosball tables.

Lee University - Cleveland, Tenn.

The Paul Conn Student Center, described as the “living room of the campus” is a free-standing building that has a coffee shop, food court, post office, bookstore, conference and meeting rooms, offices and computer labs.

They also have some graduate classes in the building.

John Brown University - Siloam Springs, Ark. The Walker Student Center is located in the Walker Building. The bookstore, post office and Student Development offices are located within the building. The Walker Residence Hall is connected to the Walker Building.

There is not a curfew, so the area is opened 24 hours with a night watch.

Colorado Christian University - Lakewood, Colo.

The Student Union Activity Center is located between the freshmen and upper-class men’s residences. It offers a gaming center, coffee shop and study areas. RA’s monitor the Student Union and “close” the area at midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends, although it remains unlocked 24 hours a day so students can still go there to have a quiet place to study. Security and Student Activities offices are also connected to the Student Union.

Southeastern University – Lakeland, Fla. The Pansler Alumni-Student Union is home to the campus bookstore, a café, Wachovia Bank, and the campus mailroom. It also hosts Student Development and student life offices on the second floor.

Regent University – Virginia Beach, Va. The Student Center houses the university bookstore, student services, financial aid, dining facilities, a computer lab, meeting rooms and student lounge with pool tables, couches and televisions.

Evangel University – Springfield, Mo. The John K. Cantrell Student Union is two buildings that host the dining hall, bookstore, offices for the Student Government Association, Student Activities, Lifeworks and Career Development, Commuter Service, and the Wellness Center. The second floor of the student Union features “the Joust,” a casual dining/coffee shop.

Compiled by Lindsey Buie, Emilie Southern and Simone Wilson

Archival Photo

The old Health and Resource Center was torn down in 2002 to make way for the announced Student Union Building.

Who is Armand Hammer?

Student Center Myths Busted

When ORU President Mark Rutland announced in the Feb. 4 chapel the planning and construction of the Armand Hammer Alumni Student Union Building, many students scratched their heads asking, “Who is Armand Hammer?”

What many students don’t know about the new student union building is that the field east of the Prayer Tower where the new Student Union building is to be built was once the home of a different building.

The HRC, or Health and Resource Center, used to be the home of the original ORU basketball team, the swimming pool and the aerobics center. After Kenneth H. Copper Aerobics Center was built in 1974, the HRC was turned into a classroom building.

In April 2001, plans for a new student center were announced, along with a sign posted on the edge of the indicated field. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, overall giving to ORU decreased. A total of $8.8 million was originally raised for the project, including a $5 million pledge by a then-anonymous donor—the Armand Hammer Foundation.

“The pledge was paid in full over time,” Dave Ellsworth, former executive vice president and chief financial officer of ORU, told the Oracle in 2008.

In 2002, the HRC was torn down, and its offices relocated to the LRC and GC to make way for the new student center. Architecture and planning began, and modifications to utilities, piping, roads, the executive parking lot and even Fred Creek were also put into place using the original donation.

When the university realized that building a student center wouldn’t be a priority at that time, the funds raised for the project were spent on other campus improvements.

“The anonymous donor requested that since the facility was put on hold, the donation be changed from restricted to unrestricted as long as the commitment to name the center after the anonymous donor, when it is built, would be honored,” Ellsworth said. “The anonymous donor also was involved in the decision to use the donation for scholarships and operations.”

But with the announcement in chapel on the morning of Feb. 4, the donor lost its anonymity. The Armand Hammer Alumni Student Union Building is named after its late donor who passed away in 1990, and now $8 million has already been raised from new donations by the Armand Hammer Foundation and also from the Cardone Foundation.

Famous for his ownership of Occidental Petroleum and major philanthropic giving, Armand Hammer has two foundations named after him: the Armand Hammer Foundation and the Hammer International Foundation.

Contrary to popular belief, Hammer was not named after the Dwight and Church brand of baking soda “Arm & Hammer,” though he was a minority stakeholder in the company and served on the board of directors. The brand name originated in the 1860s, before Hammer was born in 1898.

Hammer’s grandson, Michael Hammer, served on the ORU Board of Regents and then the Board of Trustees, giving $1 million to the Whole Person Scholarship Fund. Michael Hammer now serves on the ORU Board of Reference. Michael Hammer’s son and Armand Hammer’s great-grandson, Armand Douglas Hammer briefly attended ORU online and is now a successful actor, most recently performing in “The Social Network” and TV series “Gossip Girl.”

The other donors to the project, Michael and Jacquie Cardone, also had a heart to see the union building constructed on campus.

“A student center has been in our hearts since we were students,” Michael Cardone said. “As students from the first and second classes and parents of two ORU graduates, we understand the importance of our student center. The growth of the student body has created the need for a full-scale student center that will enhance student life at ORU.” The new student union building will complete the work begun by the Armand Hammer Foundation’s original donation to ORU, and the Alumni Foundation will continue to raise money to enhance the building until Thanksgiving.

By Bryce Merkl

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THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 9

Are You Filing Your Taxes Correctly?

Take a step-by-step approach to ensure you’ve done it right Tax season has hit America. While this traditionally means very little to the average 18-25-year-old, it should mean more. If you made money at a job this year in the United States, regardless of whether the federal or state government took taxes out, you must file taxes.

For the average student, it sounds much more intimidating than it is. Filing taxes at this age is arguably the least complicated it will ever be, especially considering this is the year 2011.

If you are filing as a dependent—that is, as a child still supported by your parents and claimed on their taxes— you should only need the W-2 from your job (if you have multiple, all of them) and a computer with an Internet connection.

If you are filing as an independent—that is, nobody is claiming you as a dependent on their taxes—other documents such as your tuition statement may also be necessary.

Dependents do not necessarily need the information on the tuition statement, but your parents will need it for their own taxes if they want to claim benefits from having a child in college.

The commonly-held idea that it’s expensive to do your taxes is actually a misconception.

The IRS’ website contains a list of companies that let you file federal taxes for free [http://apps.irs.gov/app/ freeFile/jsp/index.jsp?ck]. These usually have stipulations such as age, total adjusted gross income (AGI), and state of residence, but most should fit the average student’s needs.

The two largest and most reputable names on the page are TurboTax and H&R Block, both which offer free e-filing regardless of state of residence.

Once a company is chosen, it is strongly recommended that you sign up for an account. TurboTax and H&R Block offer e-filing without creating an account with their sites, but there is no way to save information without an account, so if you want to stop the process and come

Page 10 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

back later, you will lose all your data.

As specified previously, most students will only need to have their W-2(s) to file taxes, but if you possess any other financial documents that you think will be relevant, keep them on hand.

If this is your first time filing taxes, it also might be a good idea to have a parent or other reliable relative available by phone in case you have specific questions. After all, they’ll probably know your situation better than a help page.

Once you have an account on a site of your choosing and all your financial information ready, simply begin. They will want your personal information, including your Social Security number, and then all the myriad numbers printed on your W-2.

If the W-2 looks confusing before your eyes, do not fret.

Each box has a label that will correspond with the information that is asked for on the e-file site. If there is nothing in a box on your W-2, then enter 0 in the place on the site that asks for a number.

After your personal information and the information from your W-2 is entered, you will be asked to check or not check lots of boxes that have to do with tax credits and special circumstances. Most of these will not apply, but still read them through carefully.

Once you’ve gone through the whole process and then double- or triple-checked your answers, they might require payment information, even if you’ve selected a free e-filing option. If you are indeed getting an income tax return, specifying direct deposit will be quickest, but you can also choose to have a check mailed to you.

You’ve just done your taxes! Celebrate with a glass of an honor-code appropriate beverage.

By Rachel Whitlock For the curious, the IRS also has a page devoted to tips for students filing [http://www.irs.gov/individuals/ students/index.html].

Graduates Recognize Value of Lifelong Relationships Three Alumnae Return for Homecoming and Recount the Best of Their ORU Experience ORU’s homecoming weekend brought alumni together to celebrate the school’s accomplishments and future. Despite the snowy weather, alumni traveled from all across America to be a part of the 2011 festivities.

Rebecca Holwerda, Rebekah LaBouff and Liz Middleton were three such alumnae who came together to relive old memories and celebrate ORU’s accomplishments.

Though from different states, Holwerda, LaBouff and Middleton, graduates of ’01 and ’03, still maintain close relationships.

Sharing spiritual accountability and life together in the dorm at ORU brought them together.

“We’re all Susie girls,” Middleton said, bringing a cheer from her colleagues. “We lived on Unity together.

Dorm life is really where my lifelong friendships came from.”

As the trio talked of their memories, they recollected the value of ORU’s social environment.

“I loved sitting in Saga for hours talking with everyone,” Holwerda said, laughing. “That was back when the cafeteria stayed open all day.”

Middleton recalls that the shared community also stimulated spiritual growth.

“I was rather shy growing up, but being around people

who are spiritually strong and talk about their faith helped me be able to communicate with others about mine,” said Middleton.

The three alumnae said ORU also provided a core educational experience in a safe and fun-filled environment. The learning opportunities allowed them to gain skills in a variety of areas, which served as steppingstones for the future.

LaBouff, who earned a degree in biology, is now a fulltime mother of three and is pursuing a second degree as a nursing student at the University of Oklahoma. She said ORU provided the groundwork for her to find her true niche.

“ORU has given me a good foundation, good friendships and education,” LaBouff said. “The character it provides is truly a testimony.”

Holwerda, ’01 graduate with an international relations degree, said that ORU contributed to her current work in senior health care public relations by providing a Christian foundation.

“An education at ORU really trains you to follow the mission statement of going into every man’s world,” Holwerda said. “Through studying government with a missions minor, I learned to be a light for every field.”

Middleton had a unique experience as a student ath-

lete. She said after pursuing a degree in management information systems, sports became her career.

“I played tennis all four years, and that really became my passion,” Middleton said.

“I’ve had the opportunity to play and coach tennis.

That was my ministry in the world.”

The alumnae expressed gratitude not only for what their time at ORU brought to them, but for what it is still doing by God’s grace.

“I like to believe ORU still has it with its music and Dr. Rutland,” Holwerda said. “It was great to be back in chapel and see the future of the students.”

Middleton, who is currently working as the director of compensation in the ORU Athletics Department, said a big reason she took the job was because of her faith in President Rutland’s leadership.

“I was a coach at Southeastern University where Dr. Rutland was president. I moved a few months after he did because I had a lot of confidence in his leadership and ministry,” said Middleton.

LaBouff agreed that ORU is still having an impact.

“Just saying that I attended ORU is a testimony. People are impressed with where the school is headed and the foundation of character it provides,” said LaBouff.

By Beth Knier

Moriah Lamb Surprised by Homecoming Win Lamb’s Qualifications Include Wearing a Onesie For some girls, being homecoming queen is about the popularity and beauty, but for Moriah Lamb, a head RA in Frances, it was all about the fun.

The journey to nomination began after Selah’s floor devotionals with Jennifer Ward.

Lamb and other girls had gotten Facebook event invites from girls for homecoming nominations.

They thought it would be fun to get Lamb nominated.

“After devos one night, we were discussing the idea of Moriah as homecoming queen,” Ward said.

“We thought it would be fun, and she should be perfect.”

Then Lamb, Ward and other friends got together to plan out the Facebook campaign. Joy Bork did a photo session with Lamb for the event page.

“We took pictures of me in my fabulous onesie, wrote funny reasons to vote for me and made a Facebook event,” said Lamb, a senior media major.

“It was a collaboration of the amazing women of Selah and other lovely Frances women.”

Some of the reasons for nominating Lamb included: rocking a onesie like no-

body’s business, watching “Golden Girls” marathons on a regular basis and helping old people cross the street.

Lamb attributes her homecoming queen success to the women of Frances and her friends.

“The women of Frances helped me with my makeup, hair, accessories and shoes,” Lamb said. “The dress was my own.”

Homecoming King Charlie Greene said if it had not been for Lamb, he wouldn’t have thought of running. When Lamb and Greene’s names were announced, both were shocked. Greene said it was his friends who made homecoming king a reality.

“I am blessed to have so many good friends to go online and vote for me,” said Greene, a finance major who lives on Dominion.

With support of her dormitory and friends, Lamb said she was honored to be the 2011 homecoming queen.

“I was shocked at first because I didn’t think I was going to win, but I was really excited when it finally hit me,” Lamb said.

“It’s really an honor to represent the student body in that way.”

By Emilie Southern

Photo by Kristina Simberg Homecoming Queen Moriah Lamb and King Charlie Greene THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 11

Faith

The Oracle Faith Editor is Hannah Covington You may contact her with comments or questions at hcovington@oru.edu For more in Faith, check out oruoracle.com

Joshua Bailey: A Miracle Baby Executive’s newborn son experiences miraculous healing Do miracles come as answered prayers, or do they just happen by chance?

For Kelly Bailey, vice president of Sponsored Programs and Administrative Affairs and her family, any doubt that God performs miracles was removed with the feeding tube of her infant son.

In chapel on Jan. 19, President Mark Rutland asked the ORU community to pray for Bailey’s newborn son, who was struggling to breathe regularly.

After Joshua was born Jan. 18, he did not cry like most babies. After a few minutes, he was rushed away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for treatment. Bailey recalls feeling anxious about her son.

“I was a bit concerned that he didn’t cry right away— only a gurgled small whimper was all that we heard,” Bailey said. “The nurses took him right after he was born for testing.”

Over the next two days, the Bailey family was thrown into a whirlwind of uncertainty as their son struggled for life. By Wednesday night, the doctors decided to insert a feeding tube into Joshua because his abnormal breathing prevented him from ingesting food.

Bailey said she was discouraged by Joshua’s medical struggles.

“He was using all his energy to just breathe,” Bailey said. “I was overwhelmingly sad, exhausted and so disappointed that night when we left him in the ICU to go back to my own hospital room.”

On Wednesday morning, most of the chapel audience

did not know baby Joshua’s entire situation, but with President Rutland’s leadership, the congregation prayed in faith for his healing.

Sophomore dance and business major Rachel Simmons said she did not know who Bailey was but felt it was very important for the student body to pray together.

“I thought it was really powerful and good for the students to do because we don’t get a lot of opportunities to pray for others,” Simmons said. “There’s a lot of power with a charismatic student body praying together.”

As the community of ORU prayed for baby Joshua’s healing, the recipient family was watching the chapel broadcast from a hospital room.

The prayers touched their hearts and reassured them that God was taking care of their son.

Bailey said receiving the prayers brought her family great comfort.

“I find it hard to put into words how touched I was that Dr. Rutland was asking all of the university family to pray for us during that very difficult time,” Bailey said. “To say that we were incredibly humbled and overwhelmingly honored is an understatement.”

On Thursday morning, the Baileys awoke to find a surprise. When Bailey went to Joshua’s room, she found him resting comfortably without any tubes. Bailey said she asked a nurse what had happened during the night.

“She told me that after they put the tube in, they left him for a moment to prep his formula for feeding,” Bailey said. “Our little warrior Joshua pulled the feeding tube

The infant was rushed to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit immediately after birth.

Page 12 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

out himself, as if defiantly stating that he didn’t need it!”

After Joshua rejected the tube, the nurse tried bottle feeding him, and he took it, which had never happened before.

Throughout the night, Joshua’s oxygen levels progressively improved. The doctors said if he completed three more feedings on his own, he could be moved from ICU. Bailey said this was a complete miracle.

“Joshua continued to get better, and we were given the ‘go ahead’ to go home on Saturday morning! Praise God,” Bailey said.

When the students and faculty heard about Joshua’s miracle, they rejoiced with the Bailey family.

Freshman communication arts education major Chris Rodgers said the testimony of Joshua’s healing made him give praise to God. “I remember just praying in the Spirit,” Rodgers said.

“When Dr. Rutland gave the testimony that they were watching from the hospital room, that was really cool. It was neat how God worked that out and answers prayer the way he does.”

Bailey said the prayers of the ORU community are a testimony to God’s power at work.

“It’s hard for me to find the words to express my appreciation to Dr. Rutland and the ORU family for including our needs into the chapel service,” said Bailey. “We could feel the prayers and God’s peace with us as He showed Himself strong on our behalf and on behalf of Joshua Michael Bailey.”

By Beth Knier

Courtesy Photo

Snowpocalypse

Snow Storm Coverage: 1/27 - 2/9 Special Edition Pullout

Tulsa’s series of “Perfect Storms” totaled more than 16 inches of snow over 14 days, transforming the ORU campus into a winterscape.

S

Photos by Nathan Lundeen

urviving the Worst of “Snowpocalypse”

Two Freshmen Tell Their Stories of Waiting Out the Four-Day Stretch of Canceled Classes from Feb. 1-4

Day 1: Tuesday “I woke up shocked that there was so much snow on the ground. The last time I had encountered that much snow was when I was 2 months old.

“I really just spent the whole day lounging around. I slept in, watched movies and kept an injured friend company in the alcove.”

Freshman Wenrick

Day 2: Wednesday “Was pretty much the same, lounging around, went sledding for a bit, watched movies and put puzzles together in the alcove; along with spending time with my sister.

“I didn’t have any homework to do, because I made sure I had it all done Monday night.”

Day 3: Thursday “It was starting to get old. It was my first couple snow days ever and I was get-

ting sick of not having anything to do, and running out of food to eat. Saga kept serving the same food too.

“The girls on my floor and I were working on puzzles all week and probably put together 5 or 6 by the time the week was over. Also a bunch of Courtesy Photo friends and I went to the Chelsey basketball game, and then walked to IHOP in search of food.”

Day 4: Friday “It was really old, but I was so happy that there weren’t classes because I had tests and quizzes that day. I did go to chapel though and that was a nice change.

“The announcement didn’t really excite me though. After chapel two friends and I walked through the snow to Walmart to get food, since we didn’t know when we would have school again. That was a long walk.”

By Sara Krstevski

Day 3: Thursday “By that third day, we were going, well I played in the snowed, I procrastinated, that only leaves my homework, but I don’t want to do it.

“That’s when it started to get boring.

“We were all wandering around the floor, [talking Courtesy Photo about the snow day] like we Freshman Austin Mace were reading about a little blurb we read on someDay 2: Wednesday one’s twitter.

The second snow day, excitement was “It wasn’t the snowpocalyse any more.” still sky high. But the snow had begun to freak out the Californian.

Day 4: Friday “I was honestly a little afraid to go But on Friday they found the all-too outside,” said Mace. familiar e-mail in their inboxes again.

He didn’t think it was dangerous, but Now Mace was seriously wondering, he wondered: Is it going to soak though my shoes? Is it cold? How cold is it? Even- “Oh, what am I supposed to do?”

“I ran out of television,” he said, “I ran tually, he was lured outside.

“We did the sledding thing, the shoving out of Internet. Now we [had] cabin fever.

Friday was the probably the worst day. The each other in the snow thing, the ‘Yay! No colder it got, the slower we became.” work!’ thing,” said Mace.

By Melanie Wespetal “I don’t remember how cold it got.”

Day 1: Tuesday “You just hear ‘Snow day! Snow day!’ in the halls. People ran laps around their hall on my floor. I didn’t go outside.

It’s a snow day, so it’s not going to go anywhere. I don’t even remember that day passing. A snow day is synonymous with a completely wasted day.”

THE ORACLE • Snowpocalypse Special Pullout • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 1

Snowpocalypse

SNOW DAY! Oral Roberts University closed for a total of six days over a two-week period, an event no student on campus had yet experienced.

The unexpected university-wide campusing left some students cheering for joy and some lamenting the sudden onslaught of cabin fever.

Keilah Rodriguez, a sophomore from Texas, had never seen this much snow in her life.

“I like it,” she said. “I got in a friend’s truck and went around the Mabee Center parking lot dragging people in a sled.”

For students from Northern states, however, the city’s sluggish attempts to clear the roads were laughable and in some cases, annoying. Freshman Elizabeth Bovenzi, though she loved the break, is used to having even more snow.

“To me it’s unbelievable,” she said, “but I can understand that Tulsa is not used to having this much precipitation.”

Mike Grier, a freshman from Indiana, said, “I think it was a good three-day break. I definitely used it to get ahead in homework and catch up on rest. I enjoyed it very much. It was kind of weird for me, because I’m used to snow back at home.”

With so much unexpected free time on their hands, students did everything from homework to sledding to roughhousing on their floors.

Jessica Waite, a freshman from Virginia, said, “I think it’s a wonderful break from school. I was hoping to catch up on homework but I ended up playing most of the time. We had an epic snowball fight with our brother wing!”

The hills behind Towers were covered with students using whatever they could find to carry them down the snowy slopes. Saga trays were naturally in abundance, as were real sleds and flattened cardboard boxes. Some students even tried rolling down the hills in barrels. Others used plastic box lids and laundry baskets. One group of adventuresome students ventured out shirtless to “surf” the snow on surfboards.

While students were sleeping and rejoicing in their good luck, Sodexo workers were scrambling to find supplies and personnel to feed the campus-bound student body.

Belen Laxamana, a Sodexo worker from the Philippines, has worked at ORU for 15 years.

“We don’t have snow days,” said Laxamana, “because you have to eat. The [workers] that couldn’t come in could not drive in. Security tells us to stay at the Hilton because driving conditions are bad.”

Andrew Cox, director of operations, was not ready for the experience either.

“When we were driving home our car got stuck about a mile from our home and we had to walk the rest of the way,” Cox said. “Not even the city of Tulsa was ready for this.”

Michael Youmans, a supervisor for Sodexo, said that they had enough food to last the week, but just barely.

“We just started getting the supplies for the food trucks today,” he said on Friday, Feb. 4.

“The food trucks come here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Youmans said. “But it’s never been this bad since 2006. Usually we have just one snow day.”

Many of ORU’s staff members could not arrive as they were snowed in.

Pam Meyer, a manager at Saga, said that she had to recruit her husband and daughter due to staff shortages.

“There was about 10 of us working and about 880 students coming in for every meal,” said Meyer. “Quite a few students offered to help out, but we told them to just enjoy their snow days.”

In the end, however, Meyer was pleasantly surprised with how things turned out.

“One of the things that made it all worth it was that we got a stack of thank-you notes from students thanking us for coming in,” Meyer said. “That just made our day worth it, and we want to thank the students of ORU.”

By Melanie Wespetal and Sara Krstevski THE ORACLE • Snowpocalypse Special Section • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 2

Vote Feb. 18-20 Online

President:

Jentre Olsen

President:

Vice President: Year: Major: Dorm/Wing: Hometown:

Experience relevant to position:

Joe Ninowski

Sophomore

Sophomore

Business Finance

Business Finance

EMR 5, Men of God (MOG)

Wesley 3, United

Media w/ Public Business Admin w/ Relations Concentration Entrepreneurship Concentration Frances 9, Coram Deo Susie 5, Abba Branford, Fla. Houston, Texas

Platte, S.D.

Flower Mound, Texas

- Chaplain Program

- Student Association Administrative Assistant

- Secretary of the General Assembly, Building Grounds & Technology

- Global Expeditions Team Leader

What sets you apart from the other four candidates?

What make you and your running mate the best possible combination for the job?

Junior

- Resident Advisor Program

- Teen Mania Leadership Academy

Our goal is to remove any walls that exist between SA, administration, and any other organizations on campus. Ways of doing I love God this include creating systems that allow for and I love students; voices to be heard and responded People. to as well as becoming more interconnected with organizations across campus.

Each ticket running for SA shares a number of similar characteristics : character, experience, and dedication to hard work. But one of the main things that sets us apart is the diversity of our involvement on campus.

While our objective is to serve the students in every capacity we can as leaders and servants, our main desire is to allow students to become involved and fulfill the Great Commission that God has commanded for our lives.

President:

Jonathan Townsend

Charis Key

Junior

- ORU Missions Team Leader to Morocco

What is one specific goal you and your running mate hope to accomplish if elected?

Vice President:

Ciera Trisch

- HARBOR Experience Committee Chair - Employed by University / Alumni Relations - Former Blueprint Member One specific goal we hope to accomplish is to re-establish a sense of pride at this university. Our goal is to connect ALL students (residential, international, commuters, and graduates) together, and restore this campus body. It’s time to bleed blue and gold!

The thing that sets us apart from the others is quality SA Experience. Charis has spent well over 80 hours planning for just one event; Homecoming Banquet. Ciera also is heavily involved with student association via the General Assembly, and has authored proposals that are specific to current students’ needs.

Both of us have spent the two years working together, and know how to manage responsibilities together. We don’t have to spend a year trying to find out how to work with one another.

Vice President:

Kai Good

Junior

Sophomore

Government / Prelaw Humanities Minor

Government / Prelaw

Commuter Tulsa, Okla.

Michael 5, Valor Steep Falls, Maine

- President and Founder of the non-profit N.E.O.N. (Neighbors Encouraging Other Neighbors) - Vice President of College Democrats of ORU - FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Counselor and Huddle Leader - Member of the Christian Board of Education at First Baptist Church North Tulsa

We will provide an effective system of representation for all students and work to raise school spirit by rallying together the student body like never before.

Our tenacity, ideals, and clear vision make us a cohesive ticket. We already have plans in the works to develop a better student life.

We are very different but are also effective at utilizing those differences to identify with a greater amount of people.

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 13

MUSLI

Mayhem in Egypt Explained by Former Resident Over the past three weeks, students at ORU and across the globe have picked up a newspaper or turned on the television and asked the same question: “What exactly is going on in Egypt?”

For David Johnson, the political unrest in Egypt is more than just news on the television. He was born in Tulsa but at age 4, his family moved to Cairo for 14 years. He is now back at ORU in graduate school to pursue theological historical studies. His dad was an accountant, and his mom taught English at the American University in Cairo. Johnson was asked to give his insight into the happenings and their effects.

What exactly is happening in Egypt?

The Egyptian people started rioting almost 24/7 for two weeks in downtown Cairo. They [were] protesting [Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak] being in office for 30 years, government corruption, lack of jobs, growing interest rates and they’ve just had enough. On February 11th [Mubarak] finally stepped down and handed power over to the military.

Why now?

There were always student-led riots, but those were very sporadic, concentrated and they weren’t even always against Mubarak.The Tunisian revolution [where long time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted January 14, 2011 after 28 days of protest] started the Egyptian protests. The Egyptians saw what happened in Tunisia and said ‘wow if they can do this then why can’t we?’I don’t think that the Egyptians ever thought that they could change anything [until now]. The Egyptian police and army are everywhere, so a small group of people was usually shut down quickly.

Courtesy Photo

David Johnson is currently enrolled in graduate studies at ORU and plans to complete his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees in May. The Tulsa native lived in Cairo, Egypt, for 14 years.

What are your friends saying about this historical moment?

My friends from the Middle East are saying [Mubarak stepping down] is a good step; however, they are all uncertain how this will end up.

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?

They want to insert Muslim law and Sharia Law in Egypt.

Right now it’s a secular, democratic country, so they’re trying to make it Muslim. They did not start this, and in the beginning they were waiting. Now that they see it’s actually working, they’re starting to get involved and try to sway where it’s headed, which is why I’m cautious.

How will the military rule the country?

Is there a timeline for democracy?

The [military] ruling council said they would be in place for six months, or until presidential and parliament elections can be held. Hopefully this will take place quickly, however I expect to see a lot of different political parties springing up. Most members of the military are serving out the mandatory enlistment period and they would relate with the issues of the rest of the country. Only those with a serious agenda (such as the Muslim Brotherhood or those who were tied to Mubarak and may have investments at risk now) will try to bring up issues that would be opposed by the majority.

What does Mubarak stepping down mean for Egyptians?

Mubarak stepping down shows the Egyptians that they can in fact make a difference. Prior to this I do not remember any significant protests that achieved their goal.

This is good because it will give them more affirmation to stand up and say what they really want to happen. Egypt was effectively a democracy in name only until Feb. 11, 2011.

Why should Americans care?

The first reason should be national security. Egypt is the foremost supporter of the U.S. in the Middle East, our No. 1 ally besides Israel. We spend lots and lots of money to try and make sure they stay strategic. Also, Egypt owns the Suez Canal, which is the only way to the Middle East, other than going all the way around Africa.

So having Egypt as an ally is being able to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan for national security reasons.

Also, Americans are about democracy and the spread of democracy, and people are about not being under dictatorships and tyranny.

By Nathanael Robertson

IM MINDSET Passport Night: A Platform for International Students The young college students were sporting thobes and turbans, traditional attire for Muslim men. Most places, they wouldn’t have drawn an uncomfortable amount of attention.

The only problem was that they weren’t in “most places.” The were on the college campus of an all-Christian university.

Already a little leery about being on a Christian campus, the Arab students were even more guarded after seeing the reaction of ORU students. Students aimed distrusting glances at the visitors, almost as if to ask, “What are you doing here?”

The answer: They had been invited to represent their culture at the International Student Organization’s (ISO) annual Passport Night back in 2008. The Oklahoma University Muslim students were guests, but they were treated like outsiders.

ISO President Trena Boswell said those Muslim students could have been reached for Christ if they had been shown the love and acceptance He preached.

Instead, they left unchanged, their suspicions about Christians more or less confirmed.

Boswell said ISO has since learned from that experience two years ago.

This year, they expect that ORU’s Passport Night will be the most successful one to date. Students of all nationalities are encouraged to attend the event, which will be held in Zoppelt Auditorium on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

Passport Night allows students to experience the cultures of their international peers. The event features food tables from different parts of the world and a fashion show of traditional ethnic attire.

It also showcases performances and dance routines by groups representing international students from schools like Tulsa University, Oklahoma University, Oklahoma State University and Tulsa Community College.

Boswell said uniting people of different cultural backgrounds is one of the primary aims of the event.

“The main thing we celebrate at Passport Night is diversity,” the senior Jamaican native said.

She stressed that embracing this diversity included welcoming those of different faiths — like the Muslim students from OU. She explained that these young men were “the first Muslim delegates to

ORU,” which “was a huge landmark” for Passport Night.

After their first visit in 2008, Boswell and ORU’s ISO invited them back. They accepted.

This time, the OU students received a different kind of reception from ORU students.

“You could just see that they were so relaxed by their faces. Our warmth and kindness kind of disarmed them,” Boswell said.

This kind of reception also made them feel comfortable becoming more involved at the event.

“They even volunteered and ran a whole table representing the Middle East. They answered questions about where they were from and talked to students about their culture.”

She said that both the OU and ORU students enjoyed the open, friendly dialogue.

“It was such a good interaction, and they said, ‘This is so awesome. This is so great.’ There just wasn’t that tension anymore, and they didn’t feel like outsiders.”

She added that without Passport Night, reaching these kinds of individuals might not be possible otherwise.

“Outside of this venue, they would never have stepped foot on this campus. It’s a good witnessing tool,” Boswell said.

The main way she said ISO tries to reach out to these individuals is through love and acceptance.

“This is what we want to portray about being a Christian, that we’ll still love on you regardless of what faith you are,” she said.

Nhyira Otabil is an ORU international student from Ghana. The junior theology major said that sometimes it’s easy for students to distance themselves from those who are different.

“Even at ORU, when you tell people you’re from a different country, they will look at you a different way even though you are also a Christian,” she said.

Otabil said this is not the way Christians should treat different cultures or faiths.

“As Christians, even though we may not agree with their faith and beliefs, we still love them because God is love.

Their beliefs don’t matter; they are still a creature of God.” Otabil said Passport Night celebrates the idea that it’s ultimately shared faith in Jesus Christ that helps to hold such diverse people together.

“Even though we’re all from different cultures and backgrounds, we all can come together because of God and because of our faith.”

By Hannah Covington

Shutter

Want to see your photo on the Shutter page?

Submit to photography@oru.edu Yours could be the picture of the week!

Photo by Kristina Simberg

Icicles form on grass during snowstorm.

Photo by Rebecca Knight

Students play games during time off from school.

Photo by Rebecca Knight

Frozen tundra ice bowl.

Page 16 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

Senior Ryan Graham catches some air on the hill behind Towers. Photo by Kathleen Kelly THE ORACLE • Snowpocalypse Special Pullout • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 3

Sophomore Ilha Won frolicking in the snow (right).

Ice and snow first covered the campus starting on Jan. 27 (below).

Photo by Marilyn Chau

Photo by Nathan Lundeen

Between the six snow days, some students took time for snowball fights (below) while others went sledding on the hill behind Towers (below right). Photos by Aundrea Pickett

Junior Brooke Ninowski and sophomore Tori Dollar (above) take a break after playing in the snow.

Photo by Lauren Rockett THE ORACLE • Snowpocalypse Special Section • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 4

Internet Photo

MENDing for Moms:

They have mothers. They just can’t be mothered by them.

Home is hard because it’s not where mom is. These children can’t call Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility “home”—but that’s where mom is.

Slowly, surely, these motherchild relationships are on the mend thanks to a program facilitated by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma and a new partnership with the ORU Outreach Office.

Project MEND (Mothers Encouraging and Nurturing their Daughters) hopes to bridge the gap between incarcerated mothers and their children. One way they are doing so is by providing mentors.

Starting this semester, a group of ORU students will be serving as mentors through MEND in order to build relationships with these temporarily motherless children. The outreach volunteers’ aim is to provide the young girls and boys with viable help and hope.

The vision to connect ORU students with children of incarcerated mothers didn’t begin in a flashy or glorious instant. It had a much smaller start, one orchestrated by a pile of newspaper clippings and a collection of sobering statistics.

When ORU First Lady Alison Rutland first moved to Oklahoma two years ago, she had an idea of what the state was like. Churches on every corner, a legendary charismatic university and nice people. She said she

thought Tulsa was such a great city.

And then she began collecting these newspaper clippings and looking at the statistics.

In a state of churches and nice people, she found it difficult to believe that Oklahoma ranks first in the country in total number of incarcerated women.

Churches. Good people. The highest number of incarcerated women in the nation.

Something didn’t add up.

“As a new first lady, I wanted to come here and find some things that I could work with that were community concerned, and I felt quickened about this problem,” Rutland said.

She decided to do something about it.

Rutland first heard about Project MEND and its vision to help incarcerated children and their mothers through the Kaiser Foundation, which funds the outreach.

In spring 2010, Rutland went for the first time to visit a prison—Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility in Taft, Okla.

She went on her visit toward the end of the semester. Spring in Oklahoma had fully arrived, and it was nice outside.

On such a pretty spring day like the one she remembers, long car rides typically don’t sound appealing. The van ride to Taft from ORU is about an hour, but even with such fair weather, Rutland didn’t mind.

She had company.

Seated next to the first lady,

Alison Rutland’s Newest Project Connects Mothers and Their Children When Bars Stand in the Way

Sheila Harbert began to shared the story of her troubled past and her vision for MEND. Harbert’s enthusiasm was infectious, her warmth effusive.

“She’s one of those people that wears her passion on her sleeve,” Rutland said about the MEND director.

Finally, the van eased to a stop in front of the facility.

Workers gave the visitors special tags. They walked through three locked gates, and then she saw them—the women behind the statistics. The minimal security prison afforded Rutland the opportunity to talk with some of the women, meet their chaplain and tour the facility.

Between actually meeting some of the incarcerated women and hearing Harbert’s arresting story, Rutland had received her “inspirational moment.”

She knew ORU had to be a part of Project MEND’s efforts to reach these moms and children.

“These children are being victimized by everything about this whole problem,” Rutland said.

“It’s a problem that’s so much bigger than their little lives, yet they’re slipping through the cracks and getting caught in the cycle.”

What cycle?

The cycle of incarceration.

In a study conducted by Girls Scouts of the USA, researchers found that a girl with an incarcerated parent is four to five times more likely to become incarcerated one day.

“What happens is that these

children’s moms are arrested and taken away, and then they have no contact,” Rutland said.

“It creates all this fear and isolation.”

By starting a special Girl Scout troop solely compromised of girls with incarcerated mothers, Project MEND hopes to break this cycle.

In the troop meetings, girls can come as they are to an environment built around healing broken relationships and broken hearts.

But Rutland explained that the women at Project MEND knew these girls needed more than group meetings. They needed one-on-one interactions.

They needed mentors.

That’s where ORU students come in.

Assistant Director of Outreach Ministries Bobby Parks said the outreach is a “great opportunity for students.”

Students interested in becoming mentors complete an application and interview process, but both have been facilitated quickly through MEND. Parks emphasized that the ultimate aim is to get mentors paired with mentees so the relationship can begin as soon as possible.

“These kids need mentorship, love and guidance, and ORU students can help give that,” he said.

Mrs. Rutland stressed how ORU student mentors are different than other college volunteers.

“I just think our students are exceptional in their ideas and energy. They are not just doing community service, but they truly have a heart to help,” she said.

Junior Ashley Hamilton has five sisters to help and counsel at home. Now, as a prospective MEND mentor, she’s adding a sixth mentee to the running total.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to mentor a younger girl. I have five sisters back home, so it will be fun to have someone here to mentor and befriend,” she said.

She said she realizes what having a mentor will mean to some of these girls.

“I think the most important thing is just being a constant in their life,” Hamilton said.

Right now, the program has 12 ORU mentors: 11 young women and one young man.

Project MEND recently began an outreach to help the sons of incarcerated women as well. The program is called Boys 2 MEND. Even with the 12 initial volunteers, 70 children are still on the waiting list for mentors.

Rutland said the need is so great that it seems odd how it’s often overlooked.

“When you think about it, it’s so obvious. Of course we should be doing something to help these poor children,” she said.

And this is exactly what students like Hamilton hope to do— make a child feel significant by spending quality time with them.

By Hannah Covington

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 17

Sports

The Oracle Sports Editor is Amy Lecza You may contact her with comments or questions at oracle@oru.edu For more in Sports, check out oruoracle.com

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Resurrects on Campus

Campus Athletes Recognize the Importance of Group From the recent scandals involving athletes like Michael Vick, Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger to the countless amounts of athletes seen spewing out four-letter words at referees, it’s obvious that athletics is becoming a field heavily infected with immorality.

However, a new organization has arisen on campus in an effort to cure this affection. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a national organization dedicated to using the medium of sports to touch the world for Jesus Christ, and a chapter of this organization has been reignited at ORU. The club was started this semester by senior long-distance runner Marta Adamiec.

The club was originally formed last spring by Adamiec’s twin sister Ruth, who is also a long-distance runner. After Ruth suffered a severe hip injury last year, the club slowly fizzled out. Marta Adamiec said she saw the genuine importance of such an organization and eventually decided to step out and be proactive.

“Originally I just wanted to run track this year and focus on school,” said Adamiec.

“But over time, I started having a burden to do something else.”

Eventually, Adamiec decided to lead FCA and contacted other athletes to lead with her. These athletes include sophomore women’s soccer player Julie Scanlon, freshman men’s soccer player Danny McCarthy, sophomore women’s basketball player Jaci Bigham and freshman long-distance runner Ryan Alvarez. From there, Adamiec went to Assistant Athletic Director of Academics Kyle Jones in order to set up the structure of the club.

Jones, who played golf at ORU from 1998 to 2001, saw the significance of FCA on

campus and encouraged Adamiec and the other athletes to take initiative.

“I wanted (the club) to be whatever they wanted,” said Jones.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is

“True Christians can often be scarce in athletics,” Adamiec said. She said she believes that for many athletes, Christianity can be a label and not a lifestyle. As a result, immorality among many athletes

just that, a fellowship. “FCA is not meant to be another chapel for athletes,” said Adamiec. The club realizes the need for athletes to be social and fellowship in a godly environment.

In addition, Adamiec is fully aware of how important such an organization can be in changing the negative stigma surrounding athletes.

is accepted. Adamiec recognizes the true need for athletes who can “back up their words with their actions,” and she intends for FCA to directly address this need.

“It’s so easy to just say a prayer and be done,” said Adamiec. For this reason, FCA has a specific vision that will guide their endeavor to impact the world through sports. The organization plans on

Page 18 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

achieving this vision through small group sessions, guest speakers and consistent community outreach.

The main goal of FCA is to see young athletes blossom into the men and women God has called them to be. Adamiec and all of the other athletes involved in FCA recognize the huge responsibility they hold as role models to many fans.

“It can be sad to see athletes like Tiger Woods fall and mess up big time because you see them working hard in sports but not in ethical areas and it seems contradictory,” Adamiec said.

Adamiec went on to say that one bad act can ruin the positive impact an athlete has on fans. The upside to this, however, is that positive acts have a huge impact as well.

Adamiec has seen this impact in her own athletic career.

She and her cross country teammates always cheer each other on at meets and as a result many of the other schools competing notice it.

“They see a difference and they like it,” said Adamiec.

Jones also recognizes this impact on non-believers and the responsibility Christian athletes have to uphold a godly witness.

“Obviously we want to be great because we want to win, but we also want to be great because we believe that we have a higher calling and can make a difference in the lives of those who don’t know Christ,” Jones said.

Jones and the entire athletic department values the vision our late founder had for sports at ORU. “The reason Oral Roberts wanted athletics to be great is because you can reach a completely different set of people,” Jones said. “The truth is a lot of people read the sports page that will never read the Bible.”

By Nathan Porter

Addison Cruz: He’s Bringing Back the Cowbell ORU Student Brings Energy and Humor to Home Basketball Games “We need more cowbell!”

That’s the latest battle cry lighting up the Mabee Center marquee during men’s basketball games.

Answering that call to action is a mop-haired freshman engineering student who has made quite a name for himself this season among the Golden Eagle faithful.

Meet 18-year-old Addison Cruz. On non-game days, he can be found hanging out in the Fishbowl, wearing a Relient K T-shirt and a pair of brown Chucks. He inhabits the sixth floor of Wesley as one of the Goodfellas.

He came to ORU by way of Lincoln Christian, the crosstown high school associated with Church on the Move, where Cruz’s father serves as band director.

Cruz, who grew up in Broken Arrow, admits his father greatly influenced his love of music.

“It’s definitely in the genes,” Cruz said.

His younger brother plays the drums, and his two younger sisters play the piano. Cruz has been tickling the ivories since he was 5. He also played in the Lincoln Christian School pep band and worship band at Church on the Move.

He said he enjoys his role in the ORU Pep Band: a paid position in which he plays piano, cowbell and tambourine. His passion and energy are contagious.

The Cowbell King brings energy and a little humor to each home basketball game, exciting an adoring crowd with his cowbell-banging antics. The O-Zone student section even mimics his cowbell moves during songs.

After the first game of him whipping his head back and forth in tandem to the beat of his cowbell, people took notice and Cruz became an overnight sensation.

“Oh my gosh, seriously, we have a cowbell?!” said sophomore Chelsea Dillon. “But I thought it was cool that he was so energetic about a cowbell. He rocked it!”

She added that Cruz definitely knows how to draw attention.

“His energy and enthusiasm are crucial from crowd involvement,” she said. “He gets the crowd hyped.”

Cruz said he can be as energetic and crazy as he wants when he is playing in the ORU Pep Band.

“Energy and having fun -- I put that into playing during the game,” he said.

By Simone Wilson

Photo By Marilyn Chau

Cruz also plays piano and tambourine.

Aerobics Center Receives New Equipment After 30 Years Administration Applies Changes to Weight Room Over Christmas Break Over Christmas break, the old, scrawny weight room inside the Aerobics Center was miraculously transformed into a young, strong and vibrant fitness paradise.

Although the transformation occurred over a short period of time, convincing the administration to appropriate funding for this transformation has been a long, drawn-out process.

Matt Waters, the director of the Aerobic Center, recognized the need for the weight room to be refurbished ever since he began working at the Aerobic Center about two and a half years ago.

The decrepit state of the equipment was obvious to all who used the facility.

“The bench press unit that was in there has been here since I was a freshman, and even back then it was old and rusty looking,” said Waters, who was a freshman in 1992.

Most of the equipment in the old weight room was easily more than 30 years old.

Waters estimates that the last time the weight room received any type of new equipment was at least 10 years ago.

Throughout the last two years, Waters continually asked the administration for funding for the project. But every time, the request was rejected.

Then, suddenly, the administration approved the project and graciously supplied the money.

The entire Aerobics Center has been in the process of upgrading and receiving new equipment since the end of the spring 2010 semester.

By Whitney Owings

New equipment replaces the old machinery for the first time in 10 years.

The money for these updates came out of the deffered maintenance budget. The funding for the Aerobics Center weight room equipment, however, came from an operating budget contingency fund.

“When we lowered deffered maintenance it freed up space for other things,” said Tim Philley, executive vice president and chief operations officer at ORU. Funding for the weight room was not simply limited to this budget. Some of the money for this project actually came from the surplus budget of Sodexho.

Once the funds were received, the Aerobics Center staff quickly sold much of the old weight room equipment on Craigslist and purchased new state-of-the-art machinery.

Some of the new weight room equipment purchased includes an angled leg press, an Olympic decline and an Olympic incline bench press, a seated calf machine and a back extension machine. In addition to this, structural renovations have been done in the weight room.

These include running new electrical wires, painting the ceiling and walls, installing new lights and fans and replacing the previous air-conditioning vent.

The cost of the weight room equipment and of all the other renovations done throughout the Aerobics Center over the past 8 months totaled nearly $730,000.

“The Aerobics Center is highly visible and students go there a lot, so it should be a priority [for the administration],” Philley said.

The students’ need for the Aerobics Center might be slightly reduced, however, because much of the elliptical and cardio equipment left over from the second floor of the Aerobics Center will soon be transported to the student dormitories.

Each dormitory on campus, with the exception of EMR, has a fitness area, but the equipment in these areas is so old that it is practically unusable.

Some of the newer cardio equipment from the old set of machines will be designated to these fitness areas.

Waters is also planning on putting TV’s in the fitness areas so that students can watch different workout videos like P90X and Insanity.

These changes would allow students to get a good workout without making the journey across campus to the Aerobics Center.

“We’re trying to promote wellness and make it as easy as possible for students to stay fit,” Waters said.

By Nathan Porter THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 19

Golden Eagle Sports Roundup Baseball ready to defend title

The baseball season opens this Saturday with a three-game set against Baylor in Waco, Texas. The Bears are ranked No. 16 in the nation by Baseball America.

ORU was selected by Summit League coaches to win its 14th consecutive conference title.

Anything short of a deep run in the NCAA tournament will be a disappointment to the Golden Eagles, who return all-league hitters Joey Winiecki, Chris Elder and Nick Baligod. Senior right-hander Bryce Smolen, who posted a 9-3 record last season with six complete games, will anchor the pitching rotation.

The first home game will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, against Wichita State, which is ranked 23rd

by Collegiate Baseball. ORU will then host a threegame weekend stand against Southern Illinois, the only other home action before Spring Break begins.

Men rebound from poor start

The men’s basketball team pulled to an even 1414 record on the season after defeating winless Centenary, 81-61 Feb. 15 in Shreveport, La. It marked the fifth straight win for the Golden Eagles, who had slumped to 5-12 on Jan. 6.

This week’s win over the Gents marked the fifth straight victory and the end of ORU’s regular season road schedule. Guards Rod Pearson and Ken Holdman have sparked the late-season turnaround, taking the pressure off Dominique Morrison and Warren Niles, who lead the team in scoring.

The Golden Eagles’ next big tests come against Pacific this Saturday at home and Feb. 24 against rival IUPUI at the Mabee Center before the conference tournament begins.

Right now, the Golden Eagles are in the hunt for the No. 2 seed, and will likely have to run the table in order to capture the much coveted spot behind league-leading Oakland.

What is the ESPN Bracketbuster?

The ORU men will face non-conference opponent Pacific in the ESPN Bracketbuster matchup Saturday at the Mabee Center. But what exactly is the ESPN

Bracketbuster?

Over the last 10 years, mid-major schools like ORU have had great success in the NCAA Tournament by upsetting bigger and higher-ranked schools.

A mid-major team that upsets a high-ranked opponent in the NCAA Tournament is known as a “bracketbuster,” because a win by mid-majors usually means the bracket that you filled out with your friends is rendered completely useless by all the upsets.

In 2003, ESPN decided to showcase the best mid-major schools in the country and give them more exposure nationally just before many of them found their way to unsuspecting brackets during March Madness.

In 2007, ORU was selected for one of the coveted TV games awarded to that year’s best mid-major programs. ORU is still considered a perennial mid-major contender, but because of the Golden Eagles mediocre record, the game will not be televised by ESPN. However, the bracketbuster is still a great opportunity for ORU to see where it stands compared to other mid-major schools.

Women lose more than a perfect season

After ripping off 12 straight wins over the last month, the Lady Golden Eagles finally faltered in conference play against Southern Utah, 93-101. The Feb. 12 game was not the only thing ORU lost.

Jaci Bigham, the star sophomore point guard who has been a catalyst for this team, was lost for the year due to a torn ACL. The loss of Bigham could prove to be a crushing blow.

The team followed up that loss by losing, 72-69, at UMKC on Valentine’s Day. Though the Golden Eagles are 13-2 in the Summit League and safely in the No. 1 spot, how they perform in the conference tournament without their all-league point guard will prove whether the women can play their way back into the NCAA tournament.

The women end the regular season with home games Feb. 26 and 28 against Western Illinois and IUPUI.

By Eli Linton

Courtesy Photo Point guard Jaci Bigham tore her ACL.

Athlete Spotlight

Rod Pearson

Basketball, No. 4 The senior guard from Kansas City, Mo., has given ORU a much needed boost with his inspired play during the Golden Eagles’ recent five- game win streak.

Against North Dakota State on Feb. 5, Pearson scored a then-careerhigh 18 points. He broke that personal record five nights later by scoring 20 points in a 101-82

Courtesy Photo

win against UMKC in Pearson’s hometown.

ORU desperately needs that kind of production from its guards if the Golden Eagles are going to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

By Eli Linton

Upcoming Intramurals The Lady Golden Eagles lost their perfect conference record Feb. 12.

Page 20 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

Photo by Marilyn Chau

Feb. 22: Softball rosters due Feb. 27: Softball tournament, weekend 1 Mar. 1: Basketball playoffs begin

Scene

The Oracle Scene Editor is Katy Miller You may contact her with comments or questions at oracle@oru.edu.

For more in Scene, check out oruoracle.com

Stars Line Up for Oscars

A Balance of Critical and Box-Office Favorites Lead a Strong List of Academy Awards Contenders For all the award show fans, the 83rd annual Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) will be airing Feb. 27 at 8/7c on ABC. Big names and movies will be contending for the shiny gold man this year.

James Franco, a Best Actor nominee for “127 Hours,” and Anne Hathaway, the recent star of “Love and Other Drugs,” will host the ceremony.

“Black Swan,” “Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Fighter” and “The Social Network” are some of the especially popular nominees, both at the box office and on the critical circuit.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS),which chooses Academy Award recipients, is composed of 6,000 film professionals, including actors, writers and directors.

But what if mainstream audiences got to decide who could win the award?

This, of course, would discredit the entire professional voting system of the people who have had years of experience and knowledge of acting and filmmaking.

It would also take away from the prestige and honor of receiving such an award, but it would be pretty cool, right?

The chances of this happening are practically none, but this didn’t prevent a survey for the 83rd Academy Awards nominee from taking place especially for ORU students.

The survey was sent out via Facebook for students to vote on their favorite nominees for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Animated Film, Best Picture and other categories.

After conducting the survey, the votes were evaluated and the most popular choices seemed to be Natalie Portman for Best Actress, Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, “Toy Story

3” for Best Animated Film, Daren Aronofsky for Best Director and “Black Swan” for Best Picture. The other categories were indeterminable.

The purpose of the survey was simply for fun and to see whose “expert film critic” voting skills match up to those of the Academy.

From the results of the survey, it looks like a lot of people are rooting for team “Black Swan,” and students aren’t the only ones who agree.

Online site predictions say the competition is definitely between “Black Swan” (five nominations), “The Social Network” (eight nominations) and “The King’s Speech” (12 nominations).

Since Natalie Portman has already won all the major awards this year so far, it’s not a big leap to say that she will take the prize.

Colin Firth is also predicted to win for his role as King George VI in the inspirational story of a king overcoming his speech impediment.

Both Firth and Portman have already won awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), which often help predict the outcome of the Oscars.

Tune in to the show Feb. 27 to applaud the year’s best and to admire the head-turning red carpet fashion.

By Francesca Bee

To see the full list of nominees check out www.oscars.org

Internet Photo

Natalie Portman’s Nina loses herself in her role in “Black Swan.”

Internet Photo

Summer blockbuster “Inception” was nominated in eight categories.

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 21

Triumphant “Speech”

Internet Photo

Colin Firth stars in “The King’s Speech.”

Fear in his eyes is almost palpable as King George VI stares at the looming microphone. Seconds tick but no words flow from his clamped lips. He is about to deliver a wartime address. The king’s duty is to convince his people they will prevail; they are not alone. Yet, in the somber stillness, he must realize that he is not alone.

As Oscar season approaches, critics are casting their predictions. “The King’s Speech,” which first picked up buzz at the Telluride Film Festival and emerged as a major contender at the Toronto Film Festival, is the next British period piece to garner the academy’s attention.

Starring Colin Firth (“A Single Man”) as a stuttering King George VI “Bertie” and Geoffrey Rush (“Pirates of

the Caribbean”) as Lionel Logue, his speech therapist, best picture-nominated “The King’s Speech” is a slowpaced but rewarding story of friendship.

As a British monarch, Bertie may not require clever and passionate addresses to bid for the throne, but he must be able to speak to his people. A speech impediment makes this almost impossible.

The second son of King George V, Bertie is not a prime candidate for the crown. Though he has been instructed in the political system since birth, he desperately struggles to retain a fraction of dignity in everyday life.

Desperately in need of a friend, the stubborn king is

initially convinced he cannot alter his debilitating stammer and lashes out at speech therapist Lionel Logue, who only tries to help him.

Logue, a faithful man with no qualification on paper, uses eccentric methods in order to force Bertie’s tongue to form unbroken lines of speech.

Bertie’s bravery is not in conquests or battles but in the quiet strength with which he carries himself despite the pain of constant embarrassment.

At first glance, “The King’s Speech” might seem like any other inspirational film, resembling the often-produced and adequate English costume dramas such as last year’s “The Young Victoria.”

A true story, an unlikely hero, an insurmountable obstacle, a test of will and heartfelt success are all elements ground into the usual niche.

Despite the story’s complete lack of an antagonist, a beautifully nuanced performance by the elegant Firth and a convincing script by David Seidler carry “The King’s Speech” beyond the usual audience of the costume drama.

True, the story may be sentimental, but this sentiment is genuine, affecting and wholly free of cheap melodrama.

Firth and Rush turn in Oscar-nominated performances, and the usually-eccentric Bonham-Carter plays her role with grace.

A performance-driven film, “The King’s Speech” is a lovely success. No longer a captive of his own words, Bertie at last is aware that he has a voice that deserves to be heard.

By Katy Miller

Sensation Shares Success Story Teen Pop Star Bombards Theater Screens with 3-D Concert

“With great courage comes great responsibility.” Such is certainly the case with Justin Bieber, who has had a passion to perform since the age of 2. Through great effort, he has achieved international stardom.

Paramount Pictures’ newly-released 3-D movie “Never Say Never” tells Bieber’s story of how a talented boy musician became a rising star.

Sixteen-year-old Bieber has received more than 15 awards for his music, released 13 singles, been nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy Award and performed in Madison Square Garden.

What made him so successful?

Growing up in small town Stratford, Ontario, Bieber had his mom, Pattie Mallette, and loving grandparents to support him. He loved sports like any boy but also had a talent for rhythm and singing.

Band members from his local church noticed his potential and took time to train him further. Bieber would play drums, guitar and piano for anyone who asked.

At age 12, he performed his first vocal competition and won second prize. Mallette posted videos of her son on YouTube, and fans quickly accumulated. However, she viewed Bieber’s talents as simply a hobby.

“I just never thought of it as anything other than fun,” she said.

Nearly a year after the video postings, Scooter Braun, marketing executive at So So Def Recordings, discovered Bieber singing on YouTube. Impressed, he made efforts to contact the youth.

Though Mallette hesitated at first, Braun and Bieber Page 22 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

eventually teamed up and began knocking on doors.

Bieber traveled from one radio station to the next, singing his single “One Time.”

He tweeted where he would be recording next, and fans started flocking to the broadcasts as his popularity grew with each performance.

Bieber was motivated to succeed. He would not quit pursuing his dream. The newly released film “Never Say Never” shows his journey from a kid playing music for fun to becoming a star.

Even when he made a mistake or was rejected, he kept doing what he loved. He would laugh at himself and move on.

“There’s gonna be times when people say you can’t live your dreams,” said Bieber. “This is what I tell them, ‘Never say never!’”

Bieber said his strong support system played a crucial role in his success. He was surrounded by people who loved and prayed for him but who also kept him accountable.

In all the excitement of success, Bieber did not lose his gratitude to God. Before every performance, he and his team prayed, dedicating their work to the Lord for His glory.

While Bieber is a performer at heart, his journey proves that it took a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve his goals.

His vocal coach, Mama Jan, said that to pursue his dream, Bieber sacrificed much of his childhood freedom.

“Sometimes, he complains about wanting a normal

Internet Photo life,” she said. “I tell him, ‘When you chose this life, you gave up being ordinary.’”

Bieber had to take on responsibility and put his own interests second to achieve his goals. His new film documents how hard work led to his success. Through the film Bieber hopes to inspire young people to follow their dreams and to never say never.

By Beth Knier

Folk Duo The Civil Wars Release “Barton Hollow” Do you feel like you’re going to bash your head into your steering wheel if you hear one more auto-tuned Ke$ha song on the radio? Fear not; it seems as if America has actually made a surprisingly wise decision about what type of music to buy.

The Civil Wars’ new indie/folk album, “Barton Hollow,” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ album sales chart and at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. It sold 25,000 copies its first week out.

“Barton Hollow” is the Civil Wars’ first full-length studio album. Guitarist John Paul White pairs with vocalist Joy Williams to bring a beautiful musical chemistry that is seldom found.

If the name Joy Williams looks familiar, it’s because she’s the Joy Williams who sang Christian pop music in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.

Produced by Charlie Peacock, Barton Hollow boasts 15 tracks of harmonious musical ecstasy. The single “Poison and Wine” is a sad, slow love song in which White and Williams showcase their extraordinary vocal and musical talent.

Other tracks lean more toward the country genre, like the album’s namesake,

“Barton Hollow,” “Forget Me Not” and “Birds of a Feather.” “The Violet Hour” is simply instrumental.

Most other tracks are folksy and slow, which make them perfect music for driving, studying or relaxing. With such a variety of songs on the album, there is something for everyone.

Lyrics are heartfelt and mysterious, like “Let’s walk on the road that has no end/Steal away where only angels tread/ Heaven or hell or somewhere in between/ Cross your heart and take me with you please,” from the track “C’est la Mort.”

The harmonies produced by the White/ Williams duo are majestic, and need to be heard to believe. The album comes with two bonus tracks, “I Want You Back” and “Dance Me to the End of Love.”

The Civil Wars have a show March 9 at the Blue Door OKC in Oklahoma City.

Unfortunately, word has gotten out about how incredible they are and the tickets are sold out.

This album has garnered five stars from iTunes listeners, and also from me.

By Amy Lecza

Album Preview: Adele’s “21” In the two years since the release of her debut album “19,” British singer-songwriter Adele has won two Grammys, graced the pages of Vogue and sold over 2 million albums worldwide.

Audiences applauded a pop star with true Internet Photo talents.

On “21,” Adele shows a wonderful continuity with her first album while also demonstrating the necessary growth of today’s ever-evolving artists.

“Rolling in the Deep,” the first single from the new album, is a rousing revenge anthem, delivered with passionate, bluesy soul. In the infectious “Set Fire to the Rain,” Adele laments after a lost lover for whom there is no reconciliation. The pleading “Someone Like You” is another traumatic breakup song.

“21” may tackle similar topics to “19,” but Adele claims the new album is “about the same things but in a different light.”

“I deal with things differently now,” she said in an official announcement regarding “21.” “I’m more patient, more honest, more forgiving and more aware of my own flaws, habits and principles.”

“21” will be released Feb. 22.

By Katy Miller

Internet Photo

Singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White form The Civil Wars.

Showcase To Perform “Talley’s Folly” Directing students get experience with casting, lights and costumes Those who want a chance to display their talent (even if they aren’t drama majors) got their chance once again by auditioning for Showcase this past weekend.

This year’s show is the romantic comedy “Talley’s Folly” by Lanford Wilson, which tells the story of Matt Friedman and Sally Talle, two unlikely sweethearts who try to define their feelings for one another. The one-act play is unusual, with no set changes and the script contains only two characters.

Most people auditioning stayed the whole four hours for a chance to fully show each director their talent. They were told that the longer they stayed, the better chance they had to get a role.

That’s the reassuring thing about showcase auditions—the person auditioning sometimes gets more than one chance to go up onstage and do the coldread for the directors. Those who feel they didn’t do as well as they wanted to do their first time got another chance to go up again and do better.

“The first day I auditioned, I only got called up one time, but the second day I got called up three times, which made me feel more confident,” sophomore Darius Russell said.

Those hoping to get a role should expect to play very emotional characters.

The character of Matt is really confused about his feelings for Sally.

“It’s a difficult role to play, but I think it can be

done,” Russell said.

The students of the directing class also have their work cut out for them as well. Other than choosing their cast, they must design the lights, costumes and certain pieces of the set.

Then, there’s the pressure of presenting the performance to Communications, Arts and Media Chair Laura Holland. It’s this process that makes this class one of the most difficult for drama and theater majors.

“Challenge is the first word that comes to mind,” junior Lauren Percival said. “I felt very incompetent and never thought I could do it, but everyday I learn something new.”

According to Percival, the challenges she faced in taking this class has paid off for her not just as a director but as a person as well.

“You wouldn’t think you would take life lessons from a directing class, but I have learned so much,” Percival said. “I have improved in my communication and decision-making skills.”

To support the directing class and the ORU Theater department, make sure to attend a performances of “Talley’s Folly” on March 30-31 and April 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. in Howard Auditorium. Admission is free.

Seating is extremely limited, so arrive at least one hour in advance.

By Francesca Bee THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 23

Forum [ Editor’s View ]

Who am I voting for in this SA election? I know one thing for sure, my vote will go to the team that possesses vague and ambiguous qualities like community, unity and improvement.

The Oracle Forum Editor is Daniel Tsubota You may contact him with comments or questions at oraclemuse@oru.edu For more in Forum, check out oruoracle.com

“Choose Your Brand of Vanilla”

These seem to be what every SA presidential candidate wants us to know about them this year.

ORU SA elections are the equivalent of having to choose between three tickets from the same political party.

I have just spent the past three hours researching this weekend’s election and have some bad news: The informed voter is going to have to do a significant amount of research (gasp!) in order to find many differences between candidates.

All of the candidates boast of their upstanding character and a substantial amount of good intentions but very few actual plans. The best tickets of SA’s

past have been the ones where candidates had more than just visions and “plans to brainstorm about” ideas, but actual ideas.

The most prominent example in recent years is Derek Balderson’s student senate concept – now known as the General Assembly.

A major pitfall among voters at ORU is succumbing to the mindset of a popularity contest.

I have been guilty of this myself in the past. The easy route is to just vote for the candidate we know personally without actually investigating their opponents.

However, we are not voting for the homecoming court; we’re voting for the highest represen-

Campaign Quote Highlights: GOOD:

I’d like to highlight some great things you may not know about the contenders:

Trisch/Key: “[We want to] provide a place where groups of students can go for socializing. This proposal was authored by Trisch, and has already passed through the General Assembly.

We will gather information on what types of events or activities students want by sending out an informational survey.”

Kudos to this team for offering us some background into work they have already set in motion and a specific action plan. The survey is also a fantastic idea since I feel as though most students aren’t often actively asked for direct feedback.

Olsen/Ninowski: “[The SA president] needs to bring together the office to work as a unified front where people love coming to the office, love their job and love serving the students. [We want to] implement and improve shuttle services.”

This is a fantastic concept of the president: a much better picture than simply “a man of integrity,” or “a true servant.”

Also, after having spent two and a half hours in the freezing cold waiting for a shuttle to arrive, I’m all for reform.

Townsend/Good: “[We want to] host pep rallies before basketball games, and after parties.”

This is a great idea, and please offer more incentive to make me want to be there. The thrill of shouting and waving the disgusting recycled towels just isn’t enough right now.

Townsend/Good: “[We want to] promote academic clubs within news media including, but not limited to, newspaper articles!”

Newspaper? That’s me! And this promotion is already available right here in the Forum section! Clubs & orgs should feel free to e-mail me about anything at oraclemuse@oru.edu.

BAD:

Because political candidates don’t usually make a habit of promoting their shortcomings:

Page 24 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

tatives of the student body and the literal face of the university.

Another unusually prominent focus of the candidate’s propaganda is their spiritual integrity.

While this is a necessary trait, it seems somewhat irrelevant since the administration wouldn’t have allowed you to run if they didn’t deem you spiritually sound.

Since it should already be assumed that none of the candidates is morally corrupt, why not focus instead on what makes each ticket different from their opponents? Otherwise we are left with our current predicament of having to choose from three different brands of vanilla.

Unfortunately, the Oracle had to be sent to the printer before the candidates forum.

Perhaps answers were thoroughly provided. Perhaps no one asked the right questions and you still feel in the dark. Worst of all, maybe you don’t care enough about the future of your university and were just too lazy to attend.

Before you vote, please be informed and vote for the best leaders, not just your best friends.

Daniel Tsubota Forum Editor ORU Oracle

I encourage you to research each of the candidates yourself through their various websites, facebook groups, and handouts. These are the highlights of my research.

Olsen/Ninowski: “[We want to] research and create partnerships with other universities’ student experience programs.”

I’m sure there are conflicting views of this, but personally if I wanted to party at another university, I would be a student at another university. I’m all for discovering what other universities find enjoyable as a source for creating new activities, but I think researching your own students might be a more fruitful endeavor.

Townsend/Good: “[We want to] establish a partnership with a delivery pizza shop in Bixby.”

Are there no other pizza shops closer?

I don’t even enjoy pizzas from the Deli that are older than 10 minutes, let alone one that travelled all the way from Bixby.

On a side note: am I the only person that finds it intriguing/strange that Kai Good hosted a TV show interviewing the candidates and now he is one?

Trisch/Key: “[We plan on] being a shoulder to lean on. Our hearts’ desire is to walk beside you, in order to help each other through all situations.”

We already have chaplains, opportunities for prayer, a counseling center, AMF, church small groups (hopefully) and friends (again, hopefully). I’m not quite sure this role is something I want my SA representatives to have their hearts set on doing for me.

UGLY:

In the hustle and bustle of campaigning, minor issues can become quite entertaining to read. Here are some of my favorites:

“For a team to be successful there must be diversity. [Our VP candidate] brings a unique skill set to our team: he is a hard worker, who is diligent and skilled at what he does.”

These two sentences next to each other make an amusing implication that hard work and diligence are a “diverse” addition to the ticket.

“We want to make this a ONE CAMPUS UNIVERSITY.” Is there another ORU campus I am unaware of? Come to think of it, it would be pretty cool to have an ORU Hawaii campus.

Run a free classified ad in the Oracle. Submit your classified to oraclemuse@oru.edu. Please include a contact phone number and classified section. Only valid ORU e-mail addresses will be considered for publication.

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Willing to give rides to any location between Tulsa - Tucson if passenger helps pay for gas. E-mail: veritas@oru.edu The Oracle has open positions in video/tv production, cartoonist, bloggers, and writers. E-mail oracle@oru.edu for consideration.

Handbook.” $15 ea. dtsubota@oru.edu Sayre “Humanities: Culture, Change and Continuity Books 4, 5 & 6. $20/all three.

918.200.9151 “Art Fundamentals” for ART101. $15. Text: 760.382.8662.

Need a ride around town or to the mall? I will give you a lift for a flat rate. Call Ken at 918.688.4415

OTHER FOR SALE:

TEXTBOOKS:

FOR RENT / REAL ESTATE:

Dr. Guthrie’s worship class textbooks incl. “Worship Old & New” & “Worship Team

Yamaha RBX170 four-string bass, case not included, $100, oraclemuse@oru.edu E-mail oraclemuse@oru. edu to list your rental in the Oracle

[Pixel Perspectives ]

ORU alumnus Benjamin Thome (‘10) investigates secular media through a Christian perspective.

If you recognize this week’s title, you probably already are one. In 2009, the comedy/ (melo)drama/musical series “Glee” began airing on Fox. Subsequently, it became a cultural phenomenon, spawning a variety of merchandise, a UK realityseries, a substantial fandom known as “Gleeks,” and musical singles and albums whose popularity rivals that of the Beatles and Elvis Presley. But is there

anything worthwhile behind the glitz and glamour of “Glee?”

Although the main plot of “Glee” often involves the pitfalls of high school: popularity, sex, relationships, sex, ethics, and self-identity—and did I mention sex?—there are a few bright spots. First is the “villain” of the series. Sue Sylvester, head of the cheerleading squad and selfavowed archnemesis of the Glee club, is pure evil on the surface.

Behind the scenes, however, she has a “handicapable” sister whom she genuinely loves. And her love for her sister results in her adopting a “handicapable” student who auditions, poorly, for the cheerleading squad to be her personal protégé. In addition, she does occasionally display a genuine concern for the well-being of the students— right up until she gets bored and decides to fire a cheerleader out of a giant cannon.

The other obvious positive aspect is the show’s theme: be yourself. Be content with who you are. Do what makes you happy. Don’t simply succumb to peer pressure. However, this positive aspect is tempered by the sheer volume of media that

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There are now classes being held on campus to teach English mainly to immigrants from Burma. The classes are on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon on GC 4. Contact Tracy Jackson at tjackson@oru.edu

MISSIONS/FUNDRAISING: Be the first to inform the ORU Community of your next missions fundraiser! E-mail details to oraclemuse@oru. edu

“Are You a Gleek?”

proclaim the same message.

Practically every show on Disney Channel, for instance, shouts this message—without the content problems “Glee” frequently encounters.

Furthermore, high school is often a tumultuous time: students are combating hormones, peer pressure, and themselves while trying to figure out who they are and where they are going. How can you be yourself if you’re still trying to figure out who you are?

The most positive aspects of “Glee” are the BIG aspects, a concept I introduced in my last column. (Remember: Bad Is Good. A show’s portrayal of Christianity can allow us to see society’s misconceptions and prompt us to respond to and correct them.) The sole Christian characters in “Glee” are rather blatant hypocrites. Quinn is the daughter of one Christian family in the series. She is captain of the cheerleading squad and president of the celibacy club, but becomes pregnant while cheating on her boyfriend. When she reveals her pregnancy to her parents, her father instantly kicks her out of the house.

As a result, Quinn spends her pregnancy living with various friends, rejected by her “Christian” parents. Ultimately, the show reveals that Quinn’s father had been having an affair with another woman all along.

Another character of relevance is Kurt, a homosexual.

Throughout the series, he faces constant rejection, insults and threats from those at school. His only solace is when his father, who is not completely comfortable with his son’s choice, tells him that he will always love his son—no matter what.

Thus, the show reveals a sharp divide between society’s view of Christianity and the way Christianity truly should operate.

Christ told his disciples that they, and by extension all Christians, would be known by their love.

But in “Glee”, the Christian characters are anything but loving—instead they are unfeeling hypocrites. Kurt’s experience with his father reveals an attitude closer to Christianity, standing in marked contrast to Quinn’s parents.

Of course, I am not saying that Christians should condone or in any way approve of pre-

marital sex or homosexuality.

Instead, we need to take an approach parallel to Kurt’s father— reminding the world that God’s love is unconditional.

Rather than being known as picketers with signs proclaiming “God hates (insert distasteful hateful word here),” Christians should be known for their love.

After all, Jesus hung out with social outcasts like Quinn and Kurt. He didn’t rail against their sins, but showed them love and led them from their sins to something better. That’s the attitude Christians should be known for: love, not hate.

“Glee” airs Tuesday nights on FOX.

Sudoku Answer

SITUATIONS WANTED:

THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 25

[ Lessons Not In The Syllabus ]

Chelsea Kimbrough’s column will be substituted this edition by Brenda Richards. She has a Bachelor of Science in business management with a minor in human resources, and is currently pursuing a nursing degree.

When I first started my nursing degree, I suspected that I would be in the minority. Not only was I over 30 years old, I was also happily married, had already experienced a few different careers, and completed a B.S. in business management. So when I attempted to blend in with this completely new college lifestyle, what surprised me the most were the

same questions I would get about the same subject: marriage.

It seems that being happily married for more than 12 years strikes curiosity in the hearts of some of my young friends.

“How did you know he was THE ONE?” They would ask. “Tell us what marriage is like.”

Well, if you are one of my closer young friends, or you attended the Spring 2010 Humanities class with Mr. Ornelas, you have already heard a small portion of this speech: focus on your education first.

But to answer the inquisitive minds that ask what it is like to be married, I’ll answer as honestly as I possibly can.

First, anyone who’s had the privilege to meet and get to know my husband, Shane, knows that God has been good to me. He’s a one-of-a-kind, genuinely sincere, Godly man. But the bottom line is: marriage is an excellent opportunity to develop the fruit of the Spirit.

Although you often hear people say that marriage is hard work, I would disagree. I think marriage is hard on your flesh. I can count on one hand -- okay, maybe two -- the number of tenuous conversations we have had over the years that left us exasperated with the other.

Frankly, being married to Shane has

“A Different View”

been the easiest thing I have ever done.

However, there are times that marriage provides the perfect opportunity to test your selfishness and patience.

I force a smile when I hear about a young couple who’s driven to get engaged and married immediately. I can tell you that the older you are and the more you develop a healthy, Godly self-esteem, the better spouse you will become. Time is your best asset when it comes to preparing for a serious relationship.

But the true secret is this: the more you give yourself time to grow in your relationship with Jesus and develop the fruit of the Spirit, the more likely it is that you will have a successful marriage.

So if you want to marry a boy, help yourself. But I would encourage you to wait and marry a man.

Questions that young people rarely consider are the following: is she going to be the best candidate as the mother of my children? Is he a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for us, even if he has to work long hours and weekends for an ungrateful boss, and with a good attitude? What if one of us has a severe health issue? Do either one of us have the spiritual fortitude to look at the other one and know they have

the maturity to pray when the other one can’t?”

These are mature questions, but this is marriage. If you had told me on our wedding day that in the next 12 years my husband and I would face the death of two parents and three grandparents, all while starting a business, completing one college degree and starting another, working full time, and handling the ups and downs of life, I would have said this: we can get through it. It is because we married the right person, chosen by God, who had already lived some life and knew how to get through things like this without falling apart.

My recent clinical experience in a nursing home reminds me once again of what really matters in life.

As I assist widows who miss their deceased husbands with heavy hearts, I can rest assured that when I am aged and may have to rely on my husband to make decisions on my behalf, I know he will do what is best for me.

I know that when I draw my last breath, I can look into the eyes of my beloved and know that I mattered, and he too will know that he mattered in my life.

That’s the kind of guy you want to marry, girls.

[ SIFE’s Better Business ] “Success Follows Passion” The Oracle welcomes SIFE to the Forum section. Leaders within the ORU chapter discuss business practices, finances, leadership, and other topics. This edition’s story is written by Puja Ghelani.

How do I know if my business idea will work? Many successful and seasoned entre-

preneurs differ in their opinions on generating creative ideas for starting a business. Some say that if you find a way to make money on your hobbies, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

The other school of thought says that if you keep your hobby and business separate, you can enjoy both. As soon as you make them the same, your hobby is no longer a relaxing pastime. Both make sense, but at the same time, both contradict each other.

Which one is right? Does that make the other wrong?

What do you focus on when mulling over a business idea?

Do you think about the most profitable idea, the funnest idea, the most practical or the most feasible idea? How do you know

Page 26 • Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • THE ORACLE

if you will continue to enjoy what you do and not lose interest halfway through? Beside the capital investment that you never want to lose, what keeps you going?

The secret to success is to live in your purpose daily.

The secret to success is to live in your purpose daily. A waste management company owner finds no fulfillment in compressing garbage or digging new landfills, but in his purpose to care for the environment and leave a better world for the next generation.

An insurance agency owner finds little joy in tedious paperwork or constant information verification processes, rather in the satisfaction of providing protection and peace of mind for the vulnerable individuals and families he serves.

A restaurant owner may enjoy cooking for a large number of guests, but more than the precise and calculated motions of chopping, stirring and sautéing, he enjoys the satisfaction and pleasure the guests experience because of his hard work. Initially, the mundane tasks seem exhilarating -- anything new does -- but if there is no sustainable motivator, business becomes work, and work consumes life.

Find your purpose and your heart. Find the cause that

moves you to tears, to anger, to enduring happiness. Find a way to meet the needs of people you feel for strongly. Find a way to make a living by making a difference. Without trying, money will find you.

By Puja Ghelani

Catch up with SIFE online!

Twitter: @ORUSIFE Facebook Search: ORU SIFE Website: www.orusife.com

SA Buzz

SA Buzz in the Forum section is provided by Kathleen Kelly Contact SA with comments/questions at frontdesk@orustudentassociation.com For more info about SA, check out orusa.org

SA Presidential Showdown

By Chelsea Boen, Reid Peterson, Jonathan Witt, and Darren Sorrels

“Any Other Universe”

It’s that time of year again folks: Student Association elections. The candidates presented to you have gone through meetings and interviews to ensure that they are the most capable for the job. They campaigned all of last week, and now you have the opportunity to vote on the pair that you feel would best represent you as president and vice president of your ORU Student Association.

The candidates up for elec-

tion are as follows: Jentre Olsen and running mate Joe Ninowski, Jonathan Townsend and running mate Kai Good, and Ciera Trisch and running mate Charis Key. You will have until midnight on Sunday to vote at orusa.org. The results of the election will be announced on Monday, assuming there is not a run-off election. If a run-off election is necessary, the tiebreaker voting will occur on Feb. 23.

It’s as easy as a click of the

Hey Dan, have you seen Caleb?

You mean the freshman? I haven't seen him since the snow day. He was all excited about going sledding.

mouse, folks. Get your vote out there so we can count it.

Enjoy the warm weather and keep putting your all into your classes. We are all pulling for you to pass with flying colors here in Student Association.

Have a beautiful weekend and don’t forget to vote!

Voting begins right now and continues until Sunday at midnight.

Results will be announced Monday.

SA Staff Profile: Paulo Chikoti-Bandua Year, major and SA title: Junior in International Business, SA Commuter Correspondent Where are you originally from?

“Angola, but I was born and raised in Papua New Guinea.”

What is your worst symptom of Spring Fever?

“An incessant desire to go outside and play some type of sport, usually football or soccer.”

What makes ORU “the best in this or any parallel universe?”

This is a university founded on Godly principles and it encourages the all-around growth of the individual. You will meet the world’s greatest people here, and make lifelong friends. There are so many opportunities to learn more about yourself, and be stretched beyond what you thought were your limits.

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THE ORACLE• Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 • Page 27

02.20 SUNDAY CAMPUS WORSHIP, 7 p.m., Christ’s Chapel, Free, Presented by the International Worship Center 02.21 MONDAY GROUP ADVISEMENT MEETING, 11 a.m., Locations vary by department 02.22 TUESDAY ORU WIND ENSEMBLE PRESENTS “EMERGENCE”, 7:30 p.m., TimkoBarton Performance Hall, Free

02.18 - 03.04 02.18 FRIDAY ORU HOMECOMING BANQUET, 7 p.m., Mayo Hotel (Downtown). By ticket purchase only.

02.19 SATURDAY MEN’S BASKETBALL ESPN BRACKETBUSTER VS. PACIFIC, 7 p.m., Mabee Center, Free with ORU I.D. WINTER JAM, 6 p.m., BOK Center, $10, Hosted by Newsong including acts such as Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Red, Kutless, KJ-52, Francesca Battistelli and guest speaker Tony Nolan. Pre-Jam Party includes Sidwalk Prophets and Chris August

ORU BASEBALL VS. WICHITA STATE, 6:30 p.m., Johnson Stadium, Free with ORU I.D OSU TULSA BUSINESS FORUMS PRESENTS JACK WELCH, 10 a.m., Mabee Center, Tickets start at $75 02.23 WEDNESDAY 2011 SPRING CAREER EXPO, 12 p.m., GC/LR 3 CIVIL TWILIGHT IN CONCERT, 7 p.m., Cain’s 2nd Stage, $13 “ALLEGRIA” BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, 7:30 p.m., BOK Center, Tickets start at $35, Continues through Feb. 27 02.24 THURSDAY

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. IUPUI, 7 p.m., Mabee Center, Free with I.D. HP SPEAK: SCIENCE & FAITH, 7 p.m., GC 2114, Free 02.25 FRIDAY ORU BASEBALL VS. SIU-EDWARDSVILLE, 3 p.m., Johnson Stadium, Free with ORU I.D 02.26 SATURDAY HOLLAND HALL BOOK FAIR, 8 a.m. 5 p.m., Holland Hall, $1 ORU BASEBALL VS. SIU-EDWARDSVILLE, 2 p.m., Johnson Stadium, Free with ORU I.D WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS, 2 p.m., Mabee Center, Free with ORU I.D. MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS, 7 p.m., Mabee Center, Free with ORU I.D. PRAYER VIGIL, Time TBD, Christ’s Chapel, Continues through Feb. 27 02.27 SUNDAY ORU BASEBALL VS. SIU-EDWARDSVILLE, 1 p.m., Johnson Stadium, Free with ORU I.D.

02.28 MONDAY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. IUPUI, 7 p.m., Mabee Center, Free with ORU I.D. NIGHT TO HONOR ISRAEL, 7 p.m., Victory Christian Center, Free 03.01 TUESDAY INVISIBLE CHILDREN “TONY” FILM SCREENING, 7:30 p.m., GC5116, Free 03.04 FRIDAY EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN CONFERENCE, 7 p.m., Mabee Center, $69, Continues through March 5

Have a question about ORU? Ask ANY question about ORU and the Oracle will answer it in the next edition. From student life, food and housing to ORU urban legends, we want you to be informed.

E-mail or text: oraclemuse@oru.edu