Graduation Edition | April 20, 2016 Edition

GLOBAL CRISIS SIMULATION GETS REAL University hosts real-time international crisis simulation crossing educational platforms PAGE 4

‘OnwardORU’ SA names Student Body President PAGE 3

Crushed and Created Department chair shares his path to salvation PAGE 6

Hope Still Standing An alumnus’ journey on hit show ‘The Voice’ PAGES 10-11

Oral Roberts University · April 20, 2016 · Tulsa, Oklahoma · Vol 50, No. 14 · www.oruoracle.com · @oruoracle @oruoraclesports

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“Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth.

Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased.”

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SPORTS Tennis to compete in Summit League tournament

Farewell ORU It is OK to start over.

PAGE 12

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Web www.oruoracle.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ORUOracle Twitter @ORUOracle @OruOracleSports 2 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

SCENE The Conversant Critic: ‘The Jungle Book’ review

PAGE 17

Illustration by Gerald L. Brown Jr.

News SA names new student body president ALYSSA LACOURSE News Editor

@AlyssaLaCourse On Friday, April 8, during chapel, President William M. Wilson announced Shawn Madison as the SA president elect for the 2016-2017 school year.

Madison recalls President Wilson getting up on stage, thanking Peyton Luke for her service as student body president and asking the rest of the candidates to stand as well.

“Then he said ‘with 51.67 percent of the vote your next student body president is…’” said Madison, “at that moment, I thought ‘darn no run off.

One person just walked away with it.’

Then he said my name and I was like ‘Who?’” From the moment Madison was announced as president, he received over 100 texts from people congratulating him on his win.

“I have a passion for the student body,” said Madison. “I enjoy working hard. I enjoy serving the student

body to the best of my abilities. I enjoy talking to people and working with people.”

Madison has been involved with SA since his freshman year. His sophomore year, Madison served as the special projects coordinator for the president and vice president. His experience working for the president and vice president inspired him to run for president when he had the chance.

Madison enjoys having friends in many different social groups at ORU. He says it helps him promote the vision of the university.

“The vision of our campaign is ‘Onward ORU,’” said Madison. “‘Onward’ means we are going to take ORU or help bring ORU and the student body to the next step.”

Madison believes it is time for ORU to move on and move forward.

“The vision behind ‘Onward ORU’ is to bring unity in our diversity,” said Madison.

Madison’s platform involves building school spirit for athletics by creat-

Photo by Jeremy Luczak

President William M. Wilson congratulates the new student body president Shawn Madison in chapel on April 8. ing a series of events with each individual sports team where students can get to know athletes.

“It all boils down to this,” said Madison, “if we are friends with someone who is an athlete or know someone who is an athlete, we are more likely to support them than someone we don’t know.”

In the next couple of weeks, Mad-

ison will begin meeting with administration throughout campus to establish exactly what part of his vision will be able to be fulfilled. His term will start May 1.

“It’s still so surreal,” said Madison.

“People are like ‘Ah it’s the president,’ and I’m like, ‘It’s still me, I’m still your friend.’”

Northeastern security for their control of rifles saying it could end in confusion with officers shooting each other or innocent bystanders.

Two instances required campus police to use their rifles in response to emergencies, but they were never fired.

University of North Carolina campus police responded to a false alarm of a gunman on campus with assault rifles. At Florida State University, one officer responded to a shooting with a rifle, but he did not fire the weapon.

The debate over the necessity of using semiautomatic weapons on campuses surrounds training and qualification to use the weapon.

“Anyone carrying an assault rifle needs to be trained on that specific weapon,” said Jerry Isaacs, chief director of ORU public safety and security.

“When you introduce [assault rifles], there is the potential for you to fire all

the way through a wall or something like that.”

Assault rifles are supposed to help increase campus safety, but many students have protested.

“I actually don’t feel as safe,” said Chelsea Canedy, junior at Northeastern University. “You’re seeing across the United States this militarization of many college campuses.”

In most campus shootings, the shooting itself only lasts three to five minutes, and most campuses have a plan in place for what happens before, during and after a shooting.

“We hope to have a climate where we are alert to [threats] in advance,” said Isaacs.

The ORU security department works closely with the Tulsa Police Department for officer training and tactical support if a situation were to arise on campus.

Campuses arm officers with assault rifles

Photo by Nick Conroy

ORU campus security works closely with the Tulsa police department to protect against threats against the university community.

ALYSSA LACOURSE arsenals in the last year.

News Editor The current climate of mass @AlyssaLaCourse shootings and other violent crimes The Northeastern University police on college campuses has left law enforcement with difficult decisions department recently equipped their to make. The expert opinions on the officers with semiautomatic rifles in subject vary as greatly as the campuses case of emergency situations. More than 100 university police departments the weapons are being used to protect.

The Boston police condemned have added assault rifles to their

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 3

Global Crisis Simulation gets real

Photos by Wyatt Bullard

Professional medical evacuation was brought in for the simulation.

Kristen Hopkins serves as the foreign minister of Iran.

RACHEL FRAZER Contributing Writer

@rachelfrazer_

ORU hosted its annual Global Crisis Simulation on Saturday. Students from ORU, the University of Tulsa, Northeastern State University and various high schools participated in the event.

The scenario was a chemical attack on a leadership summit for globally recognized heads of state including the Queen of England, who was medically evacuated in a helicopter following the attack. Students then encountered cyberattacks, war declarations and economic collapses while practicing real-world strategies for handling an emergency.

“This year’s Global Crisis Simulation was the best one yet,” said Cainan Balagia, who acted as the lead organizer for team United States. “We were given a taste of what international diplomacy

Nursing students prepare the Queen of England for medical evacuation.

Erin Doll assesses wounds.

Students act as international diplomats after disaster strikes during a leadership summit set in London, England.

Firefighters set up the decontamination tent on the south lawn.

looks like in the modern age. The incorporation of engaging videos and the collaboration of multiple departments made the event seem more realistic than ever.”

A fog machine disguised as the chemical bomb released hazy yellow smoke into the air, setting the day’s procedures into action.

Nursing students practiced triage, checked vital signs and prepared a patient for medical evacuation via helicopter with volunteers covered in fake blood and stage makeup resembling wounds. Campus security assisted in crowd control and directing emergency responders, local firemen led students through a tent and performed chemical exposure protocol.

The scenario suggested the disaster was an act of terror, causing students from the history, humanities and government department to leave the

information according to the styles of their assigned media outlet.

“Throughout GCS I realized the importance of working together with other nations, despite diplomatic differences, in order to achieve a common goal,” said Shawn Madison, who served as United States president throughout the simulation. “I had to remain in character of the current international policies of the present administration, whether I personally agreed or disagreed. If acting was a career path of mine, I definitely learned some tips from GCS.” Balagia and Madison received ‘Outstanding Strategy’ awards along with the rest of their team; other awards presented included ‘Best Journalist,’ ‘Best Diplomat’ and ‘Outstanding Country.’

Students involved had an opportunity to gain experience in handling emergency situations in whatever capacity their future careers may require.

4 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

“leadership summit” in the chapel and spring into action. They were assigned positions with one of the countries involved, ranging from press secretary, to secretary of state or president in the sixth floor conference rooms. Some teams worked to resolve cyberattacks, while all practiced proper international relations according to their assigned country. Many crises unfolded throughout the seven-hour event, well after the initial medical emergency procedure practice began.

Journalism students covered the entire scenario, where 30 minutes of real time equated to a full day, on Twitter feeds representing globally recognized media outlets such as the BBC or Associated Press. They interviewed press representatives and heads of state, wrote recap articles describing the unfolding process of these intricately-planned situations and presented all

Costco to provide upscale bulk shopping trip

Photo by Jeremy Luczak

Costco Wholesale store will open Thursday, April 21 at 8 a.m.

JENNY YOUNG

Contributing Writer

@jennytyoung

Costco membership warehouse will open its doors for the first time in Oklahoma tomorrow at 8 a.m. The new building is 140,000 square-feet and is located on the corner of Memo-

rial Drive and 103rd Street.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Costco’s low warehouse prices to the residents of Tulsa,” said Warehouse Manager Greg Barnhart.

Tulsans previously had to drive about 190 miles northwest of Wichita, Kansas to shop at a Costco store.

“They have been asking us to open here for a long time, and we already have made an impact on the local job market,” Barnhart said. “We look forward to contributing to the community in many ways.”

Costco representatives were on campus last month promoting the store and selling memberships. They said prices range from $55 to $110 a year.

Basic memberships are $55 and entitle the owner to a year of shopping at the warehouse. Businesses and more frequent users can pay $110 for an executive membership offering a two percent return on purchases and other benefits.

Students and faculty won’t receive special discounts on memberships.

Costco has 83 million members worldwide and its services are designed for everyone.

The Tulsa Costco will offer brand name and Costco-label merchandise at lower prices. Costco says it helps businesses save money on supplies and on items for resale, provides a wide range of products and services for personal use as well.

“I’ve heard it’s really nice, and that it’s like the Target of Sam’s. The membership price seems pretty cheap, I’m excited to see what’s there,” said freshman Kendall Helton.

Costco will have a variety of specialty departments including a gas station, bakery, produce, deli, photo center, pharmacy, tire center and food court.

Roger Bush, director of the Communication Arts and Media facilities, said he and his wife recently signed up for a membership and he’s glad Costco has arrived to give Sam’s Club competition.

“The employees told me the quality of their merchandise is better, at a lower price than Sam’s, and they said they treat their employees better,” said Bush.

Costco is also offering employment opportunities for students seeking a job. The company has been recognized throughout nationally for providing its employees with the highest wages in the industry and for its ethical business practices. Visit costco.com to apply.

Courtesy Photo

Graphic by Gerald Brown

Courtesy Photo

Spring Luau to be held on campus

Alumni Association to honor graduates

Promethia unveiling this Saturday

Sodexo is hosting a Spring Luau on Thursday, April 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residential students can use a Sodexo meal swipe. Commuters, faculty and staff can pay $8.25 to get in.

There will be luau themed food, face painting, a DJ, carnival contests and more. Students can wear ugly Hawaiian print shirts to enter into a contest to win prizes.

The Alumni Association is hosting the Grad Lunch Wednesday, April 20. After chapel, graduating students are invited to the east lawn for the lunch. This is a celebration to welcome the graduates into the Alumni Association.

A special gift will be given along with the meal.

There will also be door-prizes for those in attendance. Prizes include travel gift cards, tablets, a GoPro and more.

The Promethia unveiling will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, on the 2nd Floor of the Hammer Center. The literary journal showcases the work of writers and artists in the ORU community.

Some of the works include poems, short stories, one-act plays and photography created by students, faculty, staff and alumni.

There will be live music and those in attendance will receive a free copy of the journal.

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 5

Features People of ORU:

Dr. Curtis Ellis: Shattering the past, pursuing the present Curtis Ellis became the chair of the ORU History, Humanities and Government department in 2015 after spending four years at Auburn University. He also has a certificate of ministry and leadership from Highlands College.

SYDNEY ILG Online Editor

@findingsydney In the classroom, Dr. Curtis Ellis is electric. He has red hair, a tidy beard and glasses balanced on his nose. He looks intelligent. There is no question this man is somewhat brilliant, yet inexplicably humble.

His end of the year student opinion survey read: “The class kicked my butt, but at least I knew he cared about me.”

During his lectures he’s engaging and honest, so different than the typical university lecture. He isn’t shoving knowledge into his students’ heads, he’s beginning a conversation. “[My wife and I] love college kids,” Ellis says, “I don’t know why that’s our passion. For whatever reason, our small groups were always a place where people would bring their friends who wouldn’t go to church… and we get to watch people get saved.”

It is difficult to envision the man Ellis was before he was in the classroom, before he took the reins of the ORU History, Humanities and Government Department just over a year ago, and before his passion was seeing college students see Jesus.

It’s 2006. The tears are pooling in his eyes and slipping down his cheeks

quickly. He’s a grown man, this is a simple task, but it is still so difficult.

His marijuana pipes sit in a gallon plastic bag on his kitchen floor. In his right hand is a hammer. It should be easy; one smash and the fragile glass will shatter.

But what if he wants them later?

The Bible had been feeding him, and he was hungry for more.

But what if this is all a stupid fad?

It’s been 10 years since he sat on the kitchen floor, debating his future. Now he sits at his desk on the fifth floor of the GC with tears in his eyes. The desk is cluttered with paper, and a framed painting is leaning against his desk speaking of his gradual transition into his role at the university. As he tells his story it’s difficult to see anything of the man he claims to have been.

“I was raised heathen. I went to Catholic middle school,” he says, leaning across the desk. “But I would sort of reason my way out of this one path to heaven, one God sort of thing.”

When attending grad school, his friend Erin, who became his wife, spelled out the salvation story for him.

He wasn’t instantly devoted to the idea.

Grad school progressed, becoming more and more difficult. Ellis was miserable.

6 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

“I was so restless,” he recalls. “I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t get tired. I was so stressed out.”

He was the superstar grad student, preparing to graduate, who supposedly had it all. He was completely miserable.

“One night I thought, ‘maybe I should start listening to Christian music. Jesus is supposed to bring peace, right? And I need some peace.’”

He started listening to Christian music throughout the day as he studied and did research. Then he added the Bible to the mix.

Wake up, pour coffee, take a bong hit, take a shower and go to work. It had always been his routine.

Waking up 30 minutes early, pouring coffee, taking a bong hit, reading his Bible, then getting ready for work became the norm.

“I quickly realized you can’t read your Bible for 30 minutes a day without things happening,” he says.

The first thing to go was the weed.

“Are you coming or not?” the Lord asked while he smoked his pipe one night.

Ellis wasn’t sure. But God had protected him for some reason for all those years.

Was he coming or not?

He wound up on the kitchen floor;

Photo by Abby Friedman

his bong and pipes sealed in a gallon Ziploc bag and a hammer in his hand.

He was sobbing, completely vulnerable.

“Are you coming?”

He sobs, he swings and the glass shatters.

The hammer meets the plastic, then the glass, then the floor. The bag’s contents exploded; small flecks of glass filling the bag. A burden lifted from his shoulders; a darkness that had followed him for years was gone. His shoulders become lighter, the room brighter. A dark, heavy, nasty thing leaves.

Ellis is crying. Again. But there is nothing wrong with these tears; they are happy.

Today, there is no remnant of the man Curtis Ellis was 10 years ago. The man sitting on the kitchen floor during grad school is gone.

Most mornings, his routine involves being startled awake by a small child between the ages of 1 and 5 around 6 a.m. He makes them breakfast, distracts them so they will let their mother sleep and attempts to read his Bible and avoid emails before he goes to work.

He is electric; it is obvious he is in love -- with his Savior, his family and his students.

“Are you coming?”

He’s already there.

2016 commencement speakers announced

Courtesy Photo

Andrew White is the Vicar of Baghdad. He pastored St. George’s Church in Baghdad, one of the largest churches in Iraq.

DAISHA FOWLER Contributing Writer

@DaishaLFowler A solemn man in ornate religious attire addresses the people in his church. All are safe and have nothing to fear. This may seem like the norm for an ordinary priest, but for the Vicar of Baghdad, facing the unknown every time he steps into the pulpit is reality.

Canon Andrew White has been shot at, kidnapped and held captive in a room with a floor covered with severed toes and fingers. ISIS has put a price of $157 million on his head. He has stirred up the Middle East with his sights set on peace and his heart pouring out the love of God. On April 30, White will grace the graduating class with his powerful story as the 2016 commencement speaker.

“Canon White has a powerful testimony that will be an inspiration to our students as they leave ORU and go ‘to the uttermost bounds of the Earth,’” said ORU President William M. Wilson. “Our community looks forward to hearing his words of faith and wisdom.”

White pastored one of the largest churches in Iraq, St.George’s Church in Baghdad until 2014. Unfortunately the area became more life threatening, making traveling there very difficult.

He remains the Vicar of St.George’s,

keeping his thoughts and prayers on the congregation.

For the past 10 years White has worked as the president of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME), which provides spiritual and material relief to the refugees who fled from war zones. He has spent most of his time in Jordan, where he has built a school for Iraqi children. The school also provides food, medical assistance and shelter, made possible by charitable donations.

White continues to fight for peace in the Middle East while fighting his own battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

The disease affects his vision and his balance, yet he has never lost sight of his passion. White has been awarded several prizes for his accomplishments including: the ICCJ Prize for Intellectual Contribution to Jewish-Christian Relations, the International Sternberg Prize, the Tanenbaum Peace Prize, the William Wilberforce Award and the Anne Frank Award given to him by the Dutch Government.

White has proved what it takes to truly love an enemy -- even when they have put a price on his head, even when war seems inevitable.

“If you want to make peace you can’t just do it with the nice people. Nice people don’t cause wars,” White said.

Photo by Sydney Stoever

Joshua Knight keeps busy as an honors student while working as the resident hall advisor for EMR five south all while maintaining a 3.96 GPA. DAISHA FOWLER Contributing Writer

@DaishaLFowler Joshua Knight will be the student speaker for the 2016 ORU commencement ceremony. Knight is a finance major originally from Livermore, California.

One student is selected each year to represent the graduating class as the student speaker at commencement. This opportunity is highly competitive.

“I am so excited about the amazing opportunity I have been given, but I also feel the weight associated with this honor,” Knight said. “Having the opportunity to address all of my peers and the faculty is a tremendous responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”

Each college within ORU selected a student to compete for the student speaker position. The students met at 7 a.m. in the Board of Trustees dining room a week after being nominated.

They presented their speeches in front of several communication professors and other faculty members.

“I had to give my speech last, so I had plenty of time to anticipate the moment and learn to handle the butterflies,” Night said. “When the moment came, I was more excited than anything.”

Knight has done nothing short

of exemplary work while studying at ORU. He has a 3.96 GPA and only one “B” throughout his college career, which occurred in Professor Unruh’s “infamous” intermediate accounting course.

He is completing his undergrad degree in three years, bringing in a whole year of AP credit from high school. He is an active member of ENACTUS and The Accounting Society.

Knight has been awarded several outstanding awards including the Outstanding Academic Achievement in Finance and the ONEOK Excellence Award. These awards are the cherry on top of consistently making the Presidents Honor Role, being the four-time winner of the Fun Run and holding the record for the Triathlon Training class.

Knight has been greatly impacted by his years spent at ORU and is passionate about what the university represents.

“I want the student body to be genuinely inspired to live a Christ-centered life even in the mundane moments when it seems like we aren’t making a difference,” Knight said. “I want to encourage them that we can change the world, not necessarily by our own efforts, but by constantly yielding to God. Essentially I want to remind them of their overarching purpose, which is to be sold-out lovers of Jesus in all we do.”

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 7

Coffee shop talk: professor survives Gaza attack

Photo Caption

Courtesy Photo

Professor Lenore Mullican teaches Hebrew in the ORU English and Modern Languages Department. Her experiences living through war and terror attacks in Israel and the Middle East enthrall her students during coffee shop study sessions spoken only in Hebrew.

EMERALD DEAN Staff Writer

@et_dean It’s not unusual for people to meet at coffee shops and talk. It’s not even unusual for the occasional professor to meet his or her students to discuss academic issues or current events. The purpose of coffee shops is to serve as a gathering place, but when Lenore Mullican, assistant professor of the English and modern language department, meets with her students, the conversations are anything but usual.

They gather once a week at a coffee shop right off of campus. It seems normal. The group listens to stories about each other’s days, catches up on worldwide current events, sometimes reads passages from the Bible and Mullican will tell them exciting stories about her life. But what makes the meetings abnormal is everything is spoken in Hebrew. From the greeting to the conversation to the goodbye, no English is spoken.

Some students smile pleasantly and say, “She has the best stories to

8 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

tell.” Others will affectionately call her “Morah,” meaning “teacher” in Hebrew.

Then, just at the mention of her name, some exclaim “I love her.”

Student Matthew Delaney, however, thinks of her like a grandma.

“She gave me a love for Hebrew,” he said. “[She] encouraged me all the way through, gave me so much of her time, and continues to do so to this day.

I have really enjoyed getting to talk to her, listen to her stories and hear the wisdom that she has.”

“Morah has many amazing stories,” said Delaney who heard her story at the coffee shop. “Stories of her vision and of a nurse that she worked with when Morah worked as a nurse in Gaza is just one example of many amazing stories.”

“If you stay with me till you graduate, you’re going to have so many stories,” laughed Mullican, as she begins one of her many stories.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bullets cut through the air. Bang. Bang. Bang.

Windows shattered as people screamed, and the van swerved. Still the terrorists didn’t stop shooting their machine guns.

“They said they thought it was a Jewish vehicle,” Mullican remembers. “They didn’t know it was people working in the hospital—at least that’s what they said. We had several different stories, so we don’t know what really happened. There is another story that they were targeting them because they were Americans. We never really knew for sure what happened.”

A nurse, pastor and his three children were in the van headed toward Israel when terrorists attacked in the evening. The pastor and his children survived, but the head surgical nurse didn’t make it.

Mullican was working as a Baptist missionary nurse on the Gaza Strip at the time of the incident. Wars and violence weren’t unusual for her. She grew up in the Middle East and had lived through bombs and explosions.

This time, however, the attack would change her life.

“When she died, there wasn’t another nurse to take her place,” she said.

“I was the only nurse, and so they asked me to take over the operating room— my experience had been in out-patient pediatrics. I had to get in there and do it and teach the scrub techs, and I had two little kids.”

Eight long months passed. Mullican was adjusting to being the head surgical nurse, thanks to the staff for being so well trained. But they still didn’t have a reason why their van had been “shot up.”

While the staff was managing the hospital, they were overworked, stressed and tensions grew between the doctors and nurses.

“One day there was this Arab evangelist, and he spoke at the church.

It was very different than before,” she remembered. “People were raising their hands and speaking in the spirit— they’d never done that in our church.”

Mullican was suddenly no longer in a church service, but was standing in front of Jesus in a vision, and to his right stood the nurse. She was smiling down at her.

Unexplainable happiness filled Mullican. She saw the hospital staff laughing and hugging one another when she “forced” herself out of the vision. She believes the nurse was smiling because they were being filled with the Holy Spirit, something the nurse had prayed for every day.

Mullican ends her story abruptly, as though she’s relived enough of it, but her students are still hanging on her every word. They’ll have to stay there until the next time she takes them on an adventure into her past. Until then, she will continue to inspire them to love the Hebrew language as much as they do her.

Find more feature stories on the people of ORU on oruoracle.com

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 9

MADISON MCDANIEL Features Editor

@madisonjmcd He stands center stage, his heart pounding as he awaits the results, clutching the hands of his fellow teammates. But he continues to smile. Brian Nhira has stood on this stage many times before, but this time is different. This time, the results are live and America will determine his future.

Nhira’s journey to “The Voice” really began in 2012. Gospel singer Anthony Evans had been a part of a fundraiser at the Mabee Center and was driving back to the airport when he was given Nhira’s EP on a whim. Days later Nhira got a voice mail from Evans encouraging him to audition for the next season of “The Voice.”

“Hey Brian, this is Anthony,” Nhira recalls the voice mail saying. “Just wanted you to know I am helping out with the casting of season two of ‘The Voice’ and we would love for you to audition.”

Nhira sent in a video of his audition and Evans invited him to a private audition in Nashville a few weeks later.

“So I showed my brother [the email] and we drove through the night,” Nhira said.

Unfortunately, Nhira didn’t make it past the first audition in 2012, but he remained hopeful.

“I really believed, and to this day, obviously circumstances can prove me right that it was the Lord who was giving me kind of a foretaste at the time,” Nhira said. “But I needed to finish what I had started here at ORU.” Fast forward to 2015. Nhira is sitting at dinner with family and friends.

He had been out of college for over a year spending time focused on his music when his friend’s mom looks at Nhira and tells him “you need to audition for ‘The Voice.’”

“In my heart and in my mind I am resigned to the fact that ‘The Voice’ even exists,” Nhira said. “I’m thinking this isn’t the path the Lord has for me to take. I just laugh it off because she doesn’t know I had already been through that process.”

Less than two minutes later, Nhira checks his phone and has an email

10 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

waiting for him. It was from casting of “The Voice” inviting him to a private audition in Oklahoma City.

Once again, Nhira went to the audition and got a callback to go to Los Angeles for executive auditions in August. The blind auditions took place in October, and the rest is history.

In March, Nhira’s blind audition finally aired on NBC’s 10th season of “The Voice.” His rendition of Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” had the judges’ chairs spinning around on his last note, eventually snagging him a spot on Team Pharrell.

The first battle round came just two weeks after the blind auditions. Nhira teamed up with fellow Team Pharrell member Abby Celso and the pair brought a new meaning to sweetness in their cover of the “Maroon 5” hit “Sugar.”

Adam Levine quickly stole Nhira for his own team after Williams chose to save Celso.

Levine began coaching Nhira for the knockout rounds and had judges standing to their feet after his cover of Bruno Mars’ hit record “Grenade.”

Nhira stands center stage once more. He holds the hands of his fellow remaining teammates. The voice of Carson Daly announces, “Owen Danoff.” Nhira exhales.

He went home during the live play-

offs, but not without a fight and not without learning along the way.

“It was amazing to see all of the support of everyone throughout this process. It was almost like a mini boot camp,” Nhira said. “It certainly prepared me for everything, [and] I’m so thankful. So I don’t really feel like I lost, I feel like I won because I learned so much. It was incredible.”

Nhira is grateful for the insight he received from his participation on Team Pharrell and Team Adam.

“From Pharrell I learned how to embody a song,” Nhira said. “And from Adam, I learned how to strengthen yourself through that song.”

The next step for Nhira is to further pursue his career as a solo artist. He continues to promote his debut album “Hope’s Stand” and use his experiences to develop as a musician.

“This is a platform to show the world my gift, and not only a platform but a trampoline to take us to that next level,” Nhira said. “Every person in any career always has something that takes them to that next level. And I feel like this [experience] is going to give us [Christians] a foot in the door, into the music industry.”

Nhira proclaims “the best is yet to come,” and with his zeal for music and passion to reach his generation, he is well on his way.

“I never thought I would do anything else,” Nhira said. “I knew in my heart I wanted to do music and I wanted to bring hope to people and inspire their dreams.”

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THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 11

Sports Golden Eagles look to continue hot streak

Photo by Jeremy Luczak

Pitcher Nick Wood won his fourth game of the season on Saturday afternoon against Omaha.

RUSSELL DORSEY Sports Editor

@AfroBroRD The ORU baseball team swept Omaha this past weekend. The team has won 10 of its last 12 games

12 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

and are looking to build of its recent stretch of success. The Golden Eagles improved to a 3-0 record against the Big 12 after defeating in-state rival Oklahoma State last Tuesday.

“This is a really resilient team,” said Head Coach Ryan Folmar. “For as young as we are, we don’t get rattled easily and we don’t lose our composure. When we play well, especially on the defensive end, I think we’re as good as anybody.”

First baseman Brent Williams has been an offensive force during conference play, hitting a robust .455 with six home runs and 25 RBI. Catcher Matt Whatley has been just as productive hitting .400 with four home runs, 15 walks and 14 RBI. Pitching struggled early in the season for the Golden Eagles. The club sported a 5.48 ERA over 15 games, but has turned things around recently with a respectable 3.50 ERA in their last 15 games.

Senior pitcher and co-captain Nick Wood was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for his performance against Western Illinois on April 9. Wood pitched a complete game shutout while facing the minimum of 27 batters. The California native allowed just one hit and struck out seven.

“We’re bulldogs. We’re going to fight all the way down to our last pitch,” said Wood when asked about the team’s identity through 35 games. “We have a good chemistry as a group and we’ve meshed well together, so we never feel we’re out of the game.”

The team currently has a 23-12 record overall (as of April 18) and a first place Summit League standing with a record of 12-3 in conference play. South Dakota State is sitting in second place with an 8-6 record.

The margin for error will now become smaller as the Golden Eagles begins the second half of its season. Health is also crucial as the team hopes to maintain the success its had.

“Teams are gonna get better and better as the year goes on,” said Folmar. “We have some things we have to clean up if we want to get to where we wanna go.”

ORU will begin a seven-game road trip on Friday when the team travels to Fort Wayne, Indiana to face IPFW. Sophomore Bryce Howe (2-2, 3.93 ERA) will get the nod for ORU against the Mastodons. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Mastodon Field.

Blessings and curses: The No. 1 overall pick RUSSELL DORSEY Sports Editor

@AfroBroRD The Los Angeles Rams made a huge gamble with their future last week by trading four 2016 draft picks and two 2017 picks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft.

The Rams hope the gamble will result in a franchise quarterback who will play with them for the next decade.

LA made a similar move in 2012, but were on the receiving end of the picks. They acquired four draft picks from Washington in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick. Washington drafted Robert Griffin III with the pick.

LA may soon find out that having the No. 1 overall pick in the draft is not as glamorous as it seems, and a trade like this is not always worth the price on a number of levels.

There have been 15 No. 1 overall picks since 2000 and 10 of those draft picks have gone on to play in at least one pro bowl. However, only one of

those 15 picks have gone on to win a Super Bowl (Eli Manning).

The No. 1 pick gives teams a chance to draft one of the best players available and build around him. It does not guarantee the team’s future.

This year’s draft is filled with many talented players at each position, but one player hasn’t separated himself from the rest of the field. This puts teams like the Browns, Chargers, Cowboys and Jaguars in very good positions.

There is always a possibility a team who is in the lower part of the draft may attempt to trade into the top-five allowing one of those teams to stockpile draft picks.

The Rams have taken a huge risk by trading six draft picks for the No. 1 overall pick. They are not one player away from a Super Bowl. LA has numerous holes on its roster and should have used those picks to build toward the future.

LA cannot afford to make a JaMarcus Russell type of mistake and set the team back another five years.

No. 1 Overall Picks in NFL Draft since 2000 Courtney Brown, DE, Cleveland Browns Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons** David Carr, QB, Houston Texans Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals** Eli Manning, QB, San Diego Chargers (traded to New York Giants)**^

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers* Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Buffalo Bills** JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders Jake Long, OT, Miami Dolphins** Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions* Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams

North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz threw 45 career touchdowns at NDSU, and is seen by many as the best quarterback in the draft.

Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers** Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts** Eric Fischer, OT, Kansas City Chiefs Jadaveon Clowney, DE/OLB, Houston Texans Jamaeis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*

Florida State corner Jalen Ramsey was named as a 2015 All-American.

Tackle Laremy Tunsil started 29 games in his career at Ole Miss.

*Pro Bowl ** Multiple Pro Bowls ^ Super Bowl Winner

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 13

Tennis team clinches spot in conference tournament JADYN WATSON-FISHER Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Abby Friedman

Barnabas Koncz (above) and Amar Saletovic have won six sets together since March, including one against Oklahoma State.

@jwatsonfisher The Golden Eagle tennis team celebrated senior day and wrapped up its regular season by defeating the Omaha Mavericks in a 7-0 shutout at the Philcrest Hills Tennis Center on Saturday.

“The team was on their game. We were able to come out and win the doubles point which boosted our confidence going into singles [and] helped us roll over them,” said junior Michael Sosnowski. “We had a lot of great energy, which is great for the whole team and it is a great way to end the regular season.”

ORU, now 13-10 overall, has won seven of its last 10 matches. It is currently third in conference standings behind Denver and IUPUI. “[The] team performance was brilliant,” said sophomore from Croatia Jan Pehnec. “Every single one of us got out on the court and did their job, from

doubles to singles.”

Sosnowski and senior Braxton Bates started the team off with a 6-2 doubles win. The duo is 12-4 on the season and 9-1 in the last 10 matches going into the conference tournament.

Sosnowski continued his winning streak with a fourth straight singles victory. He leads the team with 14 wins.

“I played quite well, being able to put myself in positions to win every game in the set during singles,” said Sosnowski.

“Braxton played great in doubles and we were able to win the match fast and add to the team’s confidence.”

Freshman Barnabas Koncz also continued his dominance in singles competition by winning his 12th match of the season.

Pehnec, second on the team for personal wins, completed his 13th singles victory this season with a 6-0 defeat of Omaha’s Matt Dunn in both matches.

“I personally think I did really good this season. We had a lot of hard

matches against some top schools like Oklahoma State, Arkansas, etc. and a lot of traveling, so it wasn’t easy,” Pehnec said. “I was trying to beat my [win] record from last year, and right now I’m even. But I still have some matches before the end of the season and I’m expecting to beat it.”

The Golden Eagles will head to Omaha, Nebraska for the Summit League Championship on April 29-30 where they are vying for a championship. The team has not finished in the top three since 2010.

“We have a week and a half to prepare for the Summit League,” Sosnowski said. “We know it’s going to be tough to come out with the championship, but after playing each team in [the] conference, we know what to expect and know we can pull it off.”

For coverage of the Summit League Tennis Tournament, log on to oruoracle.com

ORU Sports Shorts

Courtesy Photo

Skalnik signs with women’s basketball team Rachel Skalnik signed her National Letter of Intent completing the 2016-2017 freshman class for the women’s basketball team.

Head Coach Misti Cussen was excited to announce the addition.

“Rachel is a proven winner and leader,” Cussen said. “She is extremely well rounded athletically and academically, and her previous commitments to mission work and community service make her a fantastic fit for our program and university.”

Skalnik averaged 9.2 points, 3.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds during her senior year at Owasso.

14 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Photo by Sydney Stoever

Photo by Wyatt Bullard

Williams and Reynolds break 200 meter record

“Tattoo cover-up rule” turned down

Sophia Brown’s 1994 23.78 second ORU record for the 200 meter dash was beaten twice on Saturday. Tamaira Williams (23.68 seconds/career best) then Madison Reynolds (23.47 career best/school record) broke the mark at the David Suenram Gorilla Classic hosted by Pittsburg State.

The track team set 21 career or season bests at the event. The Golden Eagles will compete on Saturday, April 23 at the John Jacobs Invitational in Norman, Oklahoma.

The ORU Board of Trustees voted against the proposed “tattoo cover-up rule” during its annual meeting last week.

The proposed rule would have required all ORU student-athletes to cover visible tattoos during athletic competition.

The president’s office and the athletic department declined to comment on the future of the proposal or the likelihood of its resubmission on a later date.

Scene VICTORIA ATTERBERRY Scene Editor

@Tory2495

Courtesy photos

Graphic and Illustration by Jesse Paul Turner

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 15

Americana lives on at landmark drive-in EMERALD DEAN Staff Writer

@et_dean The Admiral Twin opened early for the 2016 season due to spring-like conditions in March. The iconic drive-in is playing double features Friday through Sunday nights as it begins its 65th season after being rebuilt as one of Tulsa’s original landmarks.

“Right now drive-ins are hot again as far as trendy.

It’s nostalgic, and it’s a different experience to watch movies outside,” said Blake Smith, owner of the Admiral Twin. “Multiplex movie theaters become a little bit of a sterile environment. It’s very Americana.

Tulsa’s kids went here, and now they grew up and are taking their kids.”

Whether it’s the sense of nostalgia which brings families to revisit mom and dad’s old stomping grounds, or the long established tradition of taking a date and watching a movie as a glorious sunset fades or the proud car owners who come to show off their cool rides, the drive in offers something for everyone.

Movie enthusiasts of all ages will be able to sit beneath the stars and watch a movie just as the movie-goers of the past came and watched when the Admiral Twin opened in 1951.

Tulsa drive-in opens for the summer season despite the spring rain.

“It [Admiral Twin] allows people of all ages the ability to experience the past, and what it was like to go to a movie back in the day,” said Cole Warren, Tulsa Resident. “It was especially this way when the drive-in was wooden, before the tragedy of it burning down, but now that it is back up and running it has been a privilege to go back and see movies at such a wonderful landmark.”

The Admiral Twin was originally a nine-foottall tower with plywood used as a screen, but a fire destroyed it in 2010. The people of Tulsa were heart-

Photo by Samuel Levi

broken by the loss of the iconic landmark, but in 2012 the drive-in was rebuilt and is now made of metal.

People can once again drive on Interstate 244 and see the screen light up the night’s sky as it plays premieres of popular movies on warm evenings.

The movies playing are not decided until the Tuesday before. Movies coming soon to the drive-in include: “The Boss,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” and “Captain America: Civil War.”

According to Kyra: Men’s summer fashion tips KYRA VALDERAS Staff Writer

@Kyra0324 The summer months are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to hit the stores for the latest trends this season.

It would seem T-shirts and Nike shorts have become the norm for college age guys, but everyone should strive to try something different. True runway looks can be intimidating , but looks from the major designers have trickled their way down to more accessible and affordable versions of their extravagant counterparts.

The many different trends out there telling guys what to wear can be misread or confusing. It’s time for some clarity on a few of the newest trends in men’s fashion. Try these looks and turn a few heads this summer.

Photos by Wyatt Bullard

LIGHTWEIGHT CLOTHING Looking cool and staying professional can be tricky in the triple digit temperatures this summer. To combat the heat while impressing future employers, try out a short sleeve button up.

Keep the colors light, and make sure the material is not too heavy.

16 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

WEAR A HAT There are many different styles to choose from when it comes to hats. A classic baseball cap paired with a plaid shirt adds a casual edge. Wearing a fedora can lift an outfit from decent to trendy. These looks will keep whoever dares to wear them cool this summer.

DENIM SHORTS Jean shorts are back, but not the ones that come past the knees and are three sizes too wide. Pairing stylish jean shorts with a simple tee and a pair of sneakers will casually turn heads.

‘Nashville’ comes to Tulsa Live action ‘Jungle Book’

Courtesy Photo

REAGAN FLEMING

country music scene. Actors Connie Britton from “Friday Night Lights” and Hayden Panettiere from “Heroes” entertain viewers with both their acting and singing capabilities.

Performing Thursday are: Clare Bowen (plays the role of Scarlett), Chris Carmack (plays the role of Will), Charles Esten (plays the role of Deacon), and Aubrey Peeples (plays the role of Layla).

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced $29.50 to $59.50 depending on seat locations.

Staff Writer

VICTORIA ATTERBERRY

@ReagsFleming ABC’s “Nashville” live in concert is an opportunity to see the characters perform original tracks from the TV show. The concert will be held at the Brady Theater Thursday, April 21.

The “Nashville” TV series premiered in 2012 and is still airing. This drama deals with the uncertainty of the

Courtesy Photo

See “The Jungle Book” in theaters like AMC, Cinemark and Starworld 20.

Scene Editor

Check out the review on oruoracle.com

@Tory2495 Disney released its live action remake of “The Jungle Book” in theaters this past weekend.

The film follows the tale of the beloved classic, telling the story of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves.

When Mowgli’s home and life is

threated by the bloodthirsty tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli must rely on the help of Bageera, the panther who found him as a child, and Baloo, a carefree bear.

“The Jungle Book” brought in over $103 million dollars its opening weekend and received a tremendous amount of praise from both critics and moviegoers alike. Watch the Aurasma video to get the Oracle’s take on the film.

Scene blurbs

Graphic by Tabitha Levi

AMC no texting rule

Graphic by Xavier Gonzalez

Spider-Man Homecoming

Graphic by Tabitha Levi

AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron released a statement on Twitter last week announcing the company will not tolerate customers who text when seeing films.

“There will be no texting allowed in any of the auditoriums at AMC Theatres. Not today, not tomorrow, not in the foreseeable future,” Aron said in the tweet.

This decision comes after the company faced criticism from an interview where Aron said the company might allow texting in some theaters if it would attract millennials.

Sony Pictures and Marvel will come together to create the 2017 Spider-Man reboot titled “Spider-Man Homecoming.”

Nineteen-year-old Tom Holland has been cast to play Peter Parker in the new film. Holland will make an appearance in Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” before going solo.

Sony’s CEO Tom Rothman explained the movie is meant to show how main character Peter Parker lives a double life as a high schooler by day and superhero by night. The film is set to be released in 2017.

Starbucks recently changed its rewards program.

Customers will receive two stars per $1 spent. A customer will have to receive 300 stars in order to reach the gold level.

The previous reward program gave customers one star per visit and only required 30 stars to reach the gold level. The Starbucks also remodeled its app, allowing customers to redeem rewards through the mobile order and pay feature.

Until May 2, sign up for Starbucks Rewards and be automatically upgraded to gold level after a purchase with a Starbucks card or through the app.

Starbucks reward changes

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 17

Muse Dream on: An Oracle farewell

MADISON MCDANIEL Features Editor

@madisonjmcd Don’t limit yourself. Be expectant.

I dare you.

It took me a long time to learn this lesson. Twenty-one years too long, but timing seems to have a way of working itself out.

I used to tip-toe around the idea of big dreams. I would collect only

the small possibilities as if one day my collection would transform into value.

But it only collected dust. And what seemed like the unachievable, sat before me, waiting for its presence and potential to be recognized.

Yet I continued to grasp at the small possibilities as they swirled aimlessly around me; because they were not meant to occupy my attention, they only served as distractions. I clung to the limited, and willingly placed scales on my eyes.

So it took me my entire life to realize, I could’ve dreamed big, thought big and sought big.

When it comes to “what could’ve been,” the wrinkles of regret usually smooth out over time and anxiety of the past soon becomes acceptance of the future. But maybe that’s what happens when you spend four years

surrounding yourself with encouragement and limitless dreams.

Because however many times you hear you can go to the uttermost bounds of the earth, one day you will actually start to believe it. And when you believe, and I mean sincerely believe, the truth of the limitless, you begin to dream of extraordinary things. And then you begin to do extraordinary things.

That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m ready to dream big. I’m ready to live big.

This school is the perfect platform to get to the big picture and the bigger purpose of your life. So take advantage of your time here. Try relentlessly to reach your goals. Take chances, invite inevitable failure and then try again.

Make relationships, cherish memories and savor the moments sandwiched between milestones. Go into the uttermost bounds of the earth and discover

the enormity of your purpose.

Here at ORU we are encouraged every day. Whether we hear it from a friend, a professor or during a chapel service, we are constantly being told to go into every man’s world and to share the love of Jesus. And sometimes we take those moments of genuine belief for granted.

So listen to those words now and believe them. Believe them with your whole heart and act on them. Don’t settle for the comfortable. Settle for the best. Don’t limit your standards, your possibilities and your wonder. Because when you have limited all of the above, you end up limiting God and his awesome power to take the impossible in your life and craft it into your purpose.

Whatever you do, don’t limit yourself. Be expectant of all that awaits you.

I double dog dare you.

Choosing Jesus over missions

ALYSSA LACOURSE News Editor

@AlyssaLaCourse This summer, many students are spending the beginning of their summers spreading the love of Christ through ORU missions. The teams formed in the fall have spent the last couple of months growing closer and learning about each other before heading out at the beginning of May. These teams plan their summers around these trips, but what about the thousands of other students who are not going on a mission trip?

I am not going on a mission trip, and I am obeying God. I have chosen not to go on a mission trip for the past two summers. This is not because I did not 18 • THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016

want to, but because God did not call me to go on a trip. I would rather stay at home than half-heartedly go across seas blatantly disobeying God. I am not going on a mission trip, but I am still fulfilling the great commission.

This summer, I have the opportunity to study in the South of France. When I tell people this their first question is, “Oh is it a mission trip?” No, I am just studying French and learning about the French culture.

I am however going to be an example of Christ to the French people through my words and actions. My study trip is not explicitly called a “mission trip,” but are we not called to be missionaries in every part of our lives?

I am not going on a mission trip and my salvation is secure.

When I tell people I am not going on a mission trip, I feel judged. They look at me with these judgmental eyes and cock their heads as if they are disappointed in me. Again, God did not call me to go on missions this summer. If God were to call me, I would drop everything and go. My salvation and Christian walk are not based on whether I spend my summer on the mission field.

I am not going on a mission trip and I am

brokenhearted over it.

Over the past two years, all of my best friends have gone on a mission trip and I have stayed here.

I have prayed and prayed asking God to send me on a trip, but time after time He has said no, and I have learned how to be content when God says no to your personal plans.

I am not going on a mission trip, but I am having life-changing experiences. No, I am not going to know what it is like to see true poverty or witness the joy found in children across the world, but God is still changing my heart.

My experiences are for me and not for someone else. My world is about to be broadened through travel. I am going to meet people who will change my life in just the way I need it to be changed.

I am not going on a mission trip, but I am still a missionary.

There are lost people all over the world, including Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is a very important concept to grasp. There are people hurting and in need of Christ down the street. Sometimes God calls us to be missionaries where we are. Whenever God calls us and wherever He calls us to, we must go. No questions asked.

Cyprowski out: You are, therefore you must “The majority of the world does not believe what you do, but if you know who you are, and what you believe, you can walk through it neither tarnished by it, nor afraid to be the person God has called you to be.”

W. JONATHAN CYPROWSKI

Director of Publications and Student Media

@JCyprowski

We’ve made it to the end of the show. The final moments are upon us. We’ve cut through the “Red Tape” of international student visas in my first issue.

We even did the big Hawaiian luau number reviewing “South Pacific,” and now it’s time for the curtain call. This is my last Oracle as the director of student media at ORU. It’s a difficult thing to step away from something you’ve invested your life in. It’s even more difficult to separate yourself from people you’ve invested everything you have in. Certain questions come to mind: What am I leaving behind? What will my legacy be?

Who will really care when I’m gone?

I began to ponder the last three years as I sat down to write this goodbye. This job has provided many belly laughs and swelling pride over the successes of my students. It has also taken many sleepless nights, painful tears and some of my hair in the process.

I saw a young man change his major and his hairstyle from an afro to a Jheri curl (As Borges as it sounds, that man is handsome). He also found his God-given calling and the internship of his dreams covering White Sox baseball this summer. I watched a quiet, timid international student graduate with honors as a confident member of the American

news media, after overcoming the language barriers in her writing. I got to watch a young woman come out of her “introverted shell” and become a leader to her peers and the youngest editor-in-chief in the history of the Oracle.

There are so many stories I don’t have room to mention them all, but I’m sure they loved me and hated me at times. I’m sure everyone questioned “what I was thinking” or “why I couldn’t just lighten up?” some days. Don’t think the same thoughts didn’t cross my mind from time to time. But a familiar phrase would ring through my heart – I am, therefore; I must. It was the theme paper of every class I taught at ORU. I’ve attempted to challenge you to seek God about your purpose in this life. I’ve challenged you even harder to set a standard for yourself of self-awareness, Spirit-led development and knowing what must be done (or never be done) in order to accomplish what God has for you.

I hope it sticks with you.

Raymond Chandler once wrote: “down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is a hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man, and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor – by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.”

There is a big world out there, and it gets smaller every day. It will challenge you to the very core. The majority of the world does not believe what you do, but if you know who you are, and what you believe, you can walk through it neither tarnished by it, nor afraid to be the person God has called you to be. It is a feat of heroism these days to have the character to stand for something, the compassion to feel the pain

of another and the humility to allow others to see Christ in you. Act out what you believe until it becomes second nature. Live like the person you want to be, and you will instinctively become him (or her!). If you have to decide what you believe in the moment, it will always be too late. If you strive for excellence you will always be good enough in your world – and anyone else’s for that matter.

I’ve had a few professors in my lifetime who really stand out from the rest. It’s funny, but I don’t remember many of them. The ones I do remember aren’t the ones you might think. They were the toughest teachers I ever had.

Drew McGukin made me rewrite every communications research assignment I ever turned in. His undergraduate course was harder than the grad school version I would take several years later.

I hated this man, and he just kept smiling at me (sometimes through the gritted teeth of his own frustration) telling me to rewrite it on top of my next assignment. It would drive… me… nuts…, but he never gave in, or gave up on me. I got a “C” in his class, but I will never forget the lessons I learned from him.

I can only hope I was able to be your Dr. McGukin in some way when you look back on these years we’ve spent together. I can only pray you see how deeply I care about you, not just what you’ve learned. I can only trust God that I taught you to refuse to be ordinary, to think more deeply, to dig deeper rather than giving up on the toughest tasks and somewhere down the line, when you are faced with the most difficult moments you will stand up and say, “I AM, THEREFORE I MUST.”

“I can only trust God that I taught you to refuse to be ordinary, to think more deeply, to dig deeper rather than giving up on the toughest tasks and somewhere down the line, when you are faced with the most difficult moments you will stand up and say, ‘I AM, THEREFORE I MUST.’” THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 20, 2016 • 19

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