Nov 22, 2013 Print Edition

Oral Roberts University 路 Nov. 22, 2013 Tulsa, Okla. 路 Vol. 48, No. 7 www.oruoracle.com

A HERO WILL RISE Austin Whitaker delivers opening speech in recent dorm-wide games PAGE 10

Photo by Dominique Johnson Graphic by Bruce Dixon

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NEWS OIL dominates at bi-annual contest

FEATURES PAGE 7 Alumni Jordan and Cady Lewis believe their love conquers all — even cancer

CENTER PAGES 12-13 Celebrating 50 years and the school charter

PAGE 3

News

OIL wins best delegation, among several awards

By Meghan Drake

ORU’s chapter of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature won overall best delegation Nov. 17 at the Oklahoma Capitol.

The team also placed first in the House of Representatives and the journalism competition, second in the Senate and third in the Moot Court competition.

“I just feel very humbled to be honest to have been able to not only lead these people, but get to know them personally,” said Tiffany Rogers, ORU’s OIL president and House floor leader.

The House and Senate spent five days going through the legislative process.

The delegates wrote a bill beforehand that covered anything from zombie diseases to concussions.

The chosen bills hit the floor at session, and the parliamentary procedure began.

In order to speak in the House or Senate, delegates ask permission. “On a motion,” “on privilege,” “objection” and “consent” are heard hundreds of times a day.

But perhaps the most memorable moments taken home after the bills have been debated are taken from “game on.”

“My favorite part of parly pro is when we move ‘game on’ and do silly things like ‘House of Hicks’ and ‘on a catfish,’” Eric Yoder, sophomore psychology major, said.

This was Yoder’s first session. He won best freshman delegate of the House.

Imagine hundreds of delegates gathered together changing the rules to talk in “hick” and, instead of saying “on a motion,” delegates are now saying “on a da.”

“A lot of times it is a little bit chaotic, because we basically suspend the rules of the House,” Rogers said.

“People are able to kind of do whatever they want in parliamentary procedure.”

Rogers said it is a time for the upper-level delegates to “show off their parliamentary bravado” and for younger delegates to receive a friendly hazing.

Although a division occurs between the upper classman and younger delegates, the university teams are a tight-knit community.

Brandon Richards, OIL senator, said one of ORU’s strong suits is their team atmosphere.

“Team bonding before we go to session is, I guess, a key to victory in more ways than just winning the trophy,” he said.

This year, 85 percent of delegates were new to OIL. But no matter what level of experience, OIL didn’t lack in diversity. Delegates represented are not solely

political science or government majors.

“The intelligence level is through the roof. The quality of people is through the roof,” Yoder said.

“There’s that joke that it’s all about the people; but, literally, it’s about the people.”

Coming out of OIL, Yoder said he gained a respect for the legislative process.

“Even when we aren’t divided by political parties and we are just in our own opinions, it takes a minimum of a couple of hours to pass a piece of legislation,” he said.

Rogers said if you have the right personality OIL can become invaluable.

“It really helps you just learn how to talk to people and how to get your points across, how to talk about things that you believe in a bipartisan way,” she said.

OIL will meet again in the spring for its 46th session. As the team prepares for another session, Richards said becoming a stronger will be paramount.

“Each additional session after this, our focus is going to be on having a close-knit group before we ever go to session,” Richards said.

Rogers said their focus will be bringing strong delegates and writing powerful legislation.

“We want to write good legislation, not just good ideas,” she said.

If you’re interested in joining OIL in the spring, email oruoil@gmail.com.

Rosina Albanese served as the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature Speaker of the House.

The team took home 15 awards.

Courtesy photos

Senior Tiffinay Rogers files papers at a recent Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature competition in Oklahoma City. Rogers, a convergence journalism major, served as ORU’s OIL president and House floor leader at session.

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 3

Memorial service set for retired science professor Staff Reports Dr. Stephen Richard Herr passed away Nov. 1 in his new home city of Cuenca, Ecuador.

An informal memorial service will be held at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 12:30 p.m. The ORU community is invited to attend.

Herr served as a professor of physical and environmental science at Oral Roberts University for 20 years using his experience and humor to inspire students.

Colleagues remember Herr working with students to clean up Lake Evelyn and Fred Creek and identify trees on campus by putting up wooden stakes with useful information.

“He was passionate about helping students appreciate and understand God’s magnificent creation,” said Dr. John Korstad, professor of

biology. “He was an amazing man of God.” He was born Nov. 27, 1945 in York, Pa. He later attended Juniata College in Pennsylvania, where he met and fell in love with his wife Maret Piirand Herr before moving on to the University of Iowa to earn a Master of Science in Paleontology in 1970.

He originally moved to Tulsa to work in the oil industry with Texaco, and later Amerada Hess and Mabee Petroleum. His oil career ended with a four-year stint working for Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

After resigning his position, Herr returned home to Tulsa and earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University.

Herr retired from his 20-year tenure at ORU in 2012 and was excited about

his recent adventure in South America.

Even though his time in Cuenca was short, he felt that it had been well worth the effort.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Ester Herr.

Herr is survived by his wife Maret; son Andrew and wife Brenda Herr; son Jeremy Herr and wife Huey Fang Lim; son Timothy and wife Ryan Winkler Herr; three grandsons, Logan, Cyrus, and August (and one more pending); sister Helen Stoner, brothers John and David Herr and their families.

His ashes have been laid to rest in Cuenca, where his wife Maret will live.

Charitable donations can be made in Herr’s name to scholarships for students of Oral Roberts University and the University of Oklahoma.

Football debates the R-word

By Kristy Sturgill The Washington Redskins’ choice of team name has been in dispute for more than 40 years. Recently, the Oneida Nation has brought this issue back under public scrutiny, hoping to apply enough political pressure to convince the owner, Dan Snyder, to change the name.

The word “Redskin” is jargon and considered a racial slur to Native Americans. Most dictionary entries also consider it offensive.

Native American Student Alliance Vice President Faith Harjo said, “I was not created a mascot, so I think it is a good idea for them to change their name.

Why have a name for a team that would offend a group of people? When most people think of African Americans or Jews, they can feel the ghosts of their past, be it slavery or genocide, but when people think [of ] Native Americans they don’t feel the ghost of our past of forced removal and children beaten for speaking their language. They do not remember that, and that is why they think it is okay.”

Snyder wrote a letter at the beginning of the season to season-ticket holders, and he spoke of the pride that is behind the name Redskins. He wrote about the first time he went to a Washington game when he was six,

4 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

Courtesy photo

Herr launched a green campaign at ORU, acting as adviser and founder of the Environmental Stewardship Club.

and how he felt when yelling the chant. He said he respects the feelings of those who are offended.

“But I hope such individuals also try to respect what the name means,” said Snyder, “not only for all of us in the extended Washington Redskins family, but among Native Americans too.”

President Barack Obama told The Associated Press the team should consider changing the name.

“I’ve got to say that if I were the owner of the team and I knew that there was a name of my team, even if it had a storied history, that was offending a sizeable group of people, I’d think about changing it,” said President Obama.

The Washington D.C. City Council had a 10-3 vote in support of the Washington team changing its name, which may or may not encourage Snyder to make the change.

At the high school level, 28 schools in 18 states that previously were called Redskins have dropped the name. However, 68 schools have not changed. One of those schools is Union High School in Tulsa. Union said it will not be making any changes to the name.

Some media outlets have independently decided to not use the name, instead refering to the team as “Washington.”

Native American Month

By Julianne Gonzalez “A goal for ORU’s Native American Society Assembly is to build community and friendships with the native students of ORU, and also to include non-native students who are interested in our culture,” said Faith Harjo, the organization’s vice president.

Here are a few other ways to learn about Native American culture during November: Admire Native American Art. Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum, located on over 400 acres of land, is nationally recognized as a dynamic display of Native American culture. It features a wide variety of art from the intricate beadwork of the Navajo to hand-made rugs.

Learn from the Cherokee. The Cherokee Nation is sponsoring educational speakers every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Live streaming of the event is available at www.cherokee.org. Topics range from the Cherokee language to the Cherokee Civil War.

Full Armor gathers at the Nov.18 Mantosterone Monday. They competed against other wings’ manliness at the games.

Mondays just got manlier

By Dominique Johnson “Are you afraid of a little rain? Does this strike fear into you?”

Junior Austin Whitaker yelled to the crowds as rain fell and thunder boomed behind him. Draped in a toga made from a bed sheet, he welcomed the crowd to the games.

EMR students gathered together Oct. 28 to participate in the first Mantosterone Monday.

“I don’t know where the term Mantosterone Monday came from,” Zach Holderness, a freshman, said. “I think I came up with it. It was something about testosterone, something about ‘man’ and something about Mondays.”

Mantosterone Monday is a brand new, monthly event where students from EMR compete against other wings in various games. It is entirely student-led.

Holderness, Whitaker and sophomore Nathan Roberts came up with the idea to build unity among wings of EMR and the building as a whole.

After a community meeting, EMR students gathered in the rain to compete against other wings in two games. Women from Claudius and a few students from Towers came to watch, forming a huge circle around the competitors.

In the first game, called “Flag Tag,” each wing sent out two “champions” to represent their team.

They tucked two torn t-shirts into their waistbands as makeshifts flags. If both flags were pulled, the player was out.

Youngblood and Kingsmen were the wings that made it to the final round in a huge game of tugof-war. After winning two out of three matches, Youngblood took the first team.

Photos by Chandler Branzell

From left: sophomore Nathan Roberts, junior Austin Whitaker and freshman Zach Holderness stand tall in makeshift kilts and blue paint at Mantosterone Monday. The three of them created the event.

The second round of the games came Monday.

Instead of a toga-themed night, kilts and the Braveheart sound track marked the atmosphere.

After playing two games testing physical strength, speed, teamwork and more, Fred Creek came out as the winner.

“I was blown away with the success [of the event],” Holderness said. “I didn’t think the guys would get into it. First of all, because there’s a freshman running around in a sheet trying to get them to come and do something besides sleep.”

A couple days before the first games, Roberts and Holderness got into trouble and had to see ORU Dorm Director Jonathan Baker. The idea for Mantosterone Monday originated in his office.

“We were being stupid,” Holderness said. “Because of the nature of our offense, he thought we were really creative and adventurous guys.”

Baker proposed the idea of trying to bring unity to EMR. After finding out Holderness and Roberts worked as camp counselors in the summer, he knew they would be good at creating games.

“For a couple years, the idea of brotherhood at ORU has been sitting on my heart,” Roberts said.

“Building up camaraderie through guys being guys and doing manly things gives us something to yell and cheer for.”

Baker said the games also allow students to release energy in a safe, constructive way.

They held the event outside so they could, “get dirty and do manly things,” Holderness said.

After refining the idea and setting up preparations, they trekked through each floor wearing togas and carrying torches. They invited students to come to the

games, yelling things like, “Bring your best warriors!”

“We were kind of scared people wouldn’t show up,” Roberts said. “But as people started gathering, the hype was palpable.”

Roberts said it felt like he was preparing for battle. He noted that he would have never had the opportunity for the games if he hadn’t got in trouble with Holderness.

“Sometimes the view of administration is they’re out to get us,” Roberts said. “Which is a complete lie.

They want the best for us. They’re trying to preserve the integrity of the university and all the students, and protect everybody.”

In addition to Roberts and Holderness getting in trouble, other infractions indirectly led to the games. After administration broke up “Alpha Male Competitions,” or floor wrestling tournaments, Whitaker talked to Baker.

“I said, ‘We need to come up with something that gets guys excited and creates activity,’ ” Whitaker said.

“Something that lets them compete but also builds brotherhood and unity.”

Whitaker said Mantosterone Monday allows guys to channel energy in a more constructive direction.

Future Mantosterone Mondays will happen once a month. Students can expect games, togas and more.

Roberts said there are some “good things rolling” that are yet to be announced.

“Whatever people want to see happen,” Roberts said. “Suggest it, and we’ll make it happen.”

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 5

Typhoon Haiyan slams in to the Philippines

By Megan Esposito

A category-5 typhoon hit the eastern islands in the Philippines on Nov. 8.

Typhoons are tropical cyclones that develop west of the international date line; also known as hurricanes east of the line.

With a span of 370 miles and winds speeds of 195 mph, Typhoon Haiyan was the most powerful storm to touch land, making it not only devastating but also historic.

As of Nov. 18, the Philippine government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council totaled the deaths with 3,976 people and 1,598 still missing. The death rates continue to rise as wreckage is cleared from devastated regions, including Tacloban, the city hardest hit by the typhoon.

The typhoon, which was 3.5 times more vicious than Hurricane Katarina in 2005, was the second deadliest typhoon in the Philippines’ history. The number of injured people totals 18,175.

Daniel Pagteilan, a sophomore nursing major who personally lived in the Philippines for the first few years of his life, was shaken when he first heard the news.

“I was incredibly shocked that it was a hurricane of this size. I felt sad and actually confused,” said Pagtelian. “I wasn’t expecting a storm to hit the Philippines. That’s my homeland.”

According to the United Nations, the destruction

left about four million residents homeless, without food and water.

Global relief aid has been distributed throughout the affected areas by numerous nations, including the U.S. and Canada.

Although the global response has provided notable progress in overall aid, water-born illnesses, dehydration and starvation are issues still growing.

NBC reported that residents of Tanauan had not received aid until one week after the storm, leaving survivors with little food and limited drinking water.

Under these conditions, survivors had to manage the dead bodies of their own communities for days before international aid arrived.

In response to the catastrophe, ORU students, faculty and staff gave their support to send meals to the Philippines.

During a recent chapel service, ORU donated $5,905.69 to purchase 20,000 meals through partnering with Convoy of Hope.

UNICEF is also on the ground delivering emergency aid, immunizations, food and clean water to victims.

Pagtelian remains hopeful for the nation of the Philippines and encourages others to continue to pray for the rescue and restoration of those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

“When stuff like this happens, you generally don’t

Photo by Justice Enlow

Students pray for the Philippines in chapel. know what to expect of it, especially the devastation,” said Pagtelian. “Continue to keep the Philippines in your prayers. [Pray] especially for the government, because there is very well-known, widespread corruption in the government, and that they’ll get the resources to the people that need it the most.”

You can give online to UNICEF or text RELIEF to 864233 to donate $10.

Global Crisis Simulation focuses on Middle East

By Kaylin Thompson Fifty students gathered on the 6th floor of the GC on Nov. 16 with one purpose in mind: find a solution to a global crisis assigned to them and act accordingly to diffuse the situation in Global Crisis Simulation (GCS).

Four rooms represented four different countries in the Middle East: Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Israel. Inside each room, students encircled a round table resembling that of the Situation Room in the White House. Cellphones, iPads and an enormous projector screen illuminated the taut, focused and slightly sweaty faces of students contemplating crisis resolution and mediation tactics.

In a larger room, ORU juniors Ryan Tate-Sullivan and Josh Gardner represent members of Al-Qaida.

“We’re going to kill him, $50

million,” Tate-Sullivan threatens Israeli leaders.

Here’s the scenario: the Al-Qaida group just finished filming footage of volunteering ORU professor, Winston Frost, being kidnapped. He represents a U. S. ambassador visiting Israel for a Syrian humanitarian crisis conference in Tel Aviv.

The students representing the different countries must act accordingly and as realistically as possible to each scenario in terms of their country’s history, resources and capabilities.

“This is my third simulation, and I learn new things every year,” said Sullivan.

Jonathan Hall started the GCS in Spring 2010. There have been eight since.

Senior Irasema Panameno is the current leader of GCS events. Panameno participated in the past five simulations.

6 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

“I really want to make this an event that all majors can be involved in so that people see the importance of being globally aware of everything that’s going on crisis-wise, with innovations, technologies and progression of the various countries,” said Panameno.

When Panameno graduates in December, senior Jesse Himes will take over the simulations.

“I like to impart my knowledge to the students,” Himes said. “I’ve done these simulations before, and being able to throw a lot of information at the younger, more uninformed students, and see how they work and handle the pressure is fun.”

Sophomore Kayla Hanohano said, “This whole experience really makes me want to be more informed about what’s going on in the world. This is my first

time being at GCS, and after doing this, it really makes me want to do missions.”

Students from outside ORU are also getting involved. Six students from Booker T. Washington attended the event this weekend with social studies teacher John Waldren.

“We are very excited to be here and are very impressed with the facilities and use of technology to generate the simulations,” Waldren said.

Dr. Ruby Libertus, professor of international relations and overseer of the event, hopes the GCS will one day offer course credit.

“It would include disaster prevention, disaster management, crisis resolution, crisis mediation, and much more,” Libertus said.

FEATURES

Only the beginning

“I

By McKensie Garber t was 2011, and I was looking for a homecoming date,” he remembers.

This is where the love story of Jordan Lewis and Cady Kendall begins.

The two ORU juniors had heard great things about one another through mutual friends but never crossed paths, so Jordan took matters into his own hands.

Against his shy tendencies, he got Kendall’s number and called her, asking her to meet him outside of the Towers dorms to ask her a question.

“I saw her come out of Towers, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I’m way over my head. This girl is way too pretty for me,’ and I got so nervous at that point.

I introduced myself and asked her if she would go to homecoming with me. She said yes to my surprise, and that’s how we met,” Lewis recalled in a phone interview Tuesday.

After homecoming in January, the pair fostered their friendship over coffee shop adventures before summer came. Over break, Jordan traveled to Tanzania with ORU Missions on the Man Team. Cady moved to New York for an internship.

On the trip, Jordan was battling with what he thought to be side effects of a bad sinus infection.

“I was having daily nose bleeds and pretty bad headaches. My eyes even started to bleed at one point,” Jordan said. “I was on major antibiotics, and they just weren’t working.”

He returned to Tulsa to begin summer classes. Unable to identify the cause of symptoms, Jordan’s throat doctor ordered an MRI on his head.

The results showed an orange-sized tumor that started in Jordan’s sinus cavity and worked its way up to push against his brain. A biopsy on the tumor showed it to be stage 4 sinus cancer.

Forced to stop summer classes, Jordan flew home to North Carolina to begin immediate treatment, undergoing a major surgery to remove the tumor and chemo and radiation therapy to kill the remaining cancer.

He took online classes the fall semester of his senior year, and Cady returned to ORU. Their friendship continued to grow despite the distance.

They communicated over Skype or phone, and Cady sent Jordan care packages and encouraging text messages with scripture.

“I would go in twice a day for radiation therapy – one at 6 a.m. and then one later in the afternoon,” Jordan said. “Every morning she would wake up at 5 a.m. her time and pray for me while I was going through

these treatments.”

That December, the doctors told Jordan he was cancer free. He returned to ORU for the spring semester of his senior year.

“At this point, he’d conquered cancer, we knew that we liked each other, and now I knew he was coming back for me,” Cady said.

They attended homecoming together again, where Jordan asked Cady to be his girlfriend. They won homecoming king and queen.

They dated over a year, when in April, they began discussing an October wedding. In May 2013 Cady went home with Jordan for the first time for a routine check-up.

After being in remission for 18 months, Jordan received news from the doctor that his cancer had come back in his head and metastasized to his lungs as two fairly large tumors.

“I was thinking of my journey last time and going through the process in my mind and I thought, ‘There’s no way I can do this alone without Cady. I need to be married to Cady through all this.’”

Photo by Karis Crawford Knowing the treatment had to start as soon as possible, it would be a short To keep up with Jordan and Cady’s love story, follow their blog at jordanandcadylewis.wordpress.com. engagement.

“Then I thought, I can’t ask Cady, a girl who has probably been thinking about her wedding day her in Cancun, Mexico. There were 13 bridesmaids and whole life, to just throw together a wedding and sacri- 12 groomsmen. fice these dreams she’s had since she was a little girl to Johnluke Lewis, Jordan’s brother and an ORU marry me. That’s not fair to her.” freshman, was one of his groomsmen.

Cady went over to hug Jordan and whispered in his “I didn’t know what true love between a man and a ear, “Let’s get married.” woman really was until Jordan and Cady’s wedding,” “I told him I didn’t care if he got me a ring out Johnluke said. “They have taught me so much about of a quarter machine. I just wanted to be with him love and caring for one another just by the way they through this,” Cady said. interact with each other.”

Little did she know, Jordan had snuck out of the Joy McLeod, a 2012 ORU grad, was Cady’s maidhouse that morning to buy an engagement ring. A of-honor. When she heard of the wedding, she drove week and a half later, he proposed on June 8. from Texas to Tulsa to help with planning.

“The timing was great. It was like God lined it up “Even though this is a difficult season for Jordan before we even knew what would happen when we and Cady, they are still the most determined people I were in North Carolina for that routine check up,” know,” McLeod said. “Jordan was created to overcome Cady said. this ugly disease, and Cady was created to be his rockWith the generous help of their church, commusolid wife.” nity, family and friends, they were married three weeks Continued on page 21 later on June 29 at a friend’s ranch and honeymooned

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 7

Personal must-haves revealed in bag search

By Amber Smith Some gurus may claim the hand bag is the insight to the soul. For many ORU students, their multiple personal bags and duffel bags contain their prized posessions and even their hopes and plans for the future.

Kristie Chute, a senior ministry and leadership major, opened up her bag, and revealed her many levels of preparation. No matter how drastically Oklahoma’s weather may change, she is prepared for rain or shine with her umbrella and shades. Another must-have for Chute is her floss.

But, according to Chute, her most unique item is her “color-coordinated pen collection.”

Caroline Arnould, a sophomore health and exercise science major, has one thing that never leaves her side: her Nexus 7, Google’s version of the iPad mini.

She also has a Christmas Train volunteer application nestled in her bag, which she is “stoked” about filling out.

David Lopez, a sophomore engineering major, unveiled his techie side when he showed off the item setting his bag apart from the majority of the student body: a leap motion controller.

It is a huge, peripheral device that picks up hand movements and allows you to interact with your computer without touching it. Yes, that does exist.

The bag of a commuting athlete like Bear Britt can double as both a school bag and a gym bag when the walk to the parking lot is daunting.

Britt’s bag contains his MacBook Air, textbooks, paper, athletic clothes, athletic tape and pre-wrap at all times.

When someone needs two name plates to list all of his jobs, he might need to bring five bags to school.

Dr. Bill Gordon, HPE advisor, carries so many bags to work that it was hard to pick a few things he always has on hand.

At any given point, you can find Gordon with his lecture notes, breath strips and all the names of his students.

But, the two most sentimental things he always keeps on him show his sincere value for family. He always carries a picture of his wife and the last check he gave to his brother shortly before he passed away.

Although all of these things may be treasured, when asked what one thing he couldn’t live without, Gordon looked around and said, “It may seem cliché, but I would have to say my Bible.”

World-traveler and Assistant Professor of International Relations Ruby Libertus might just take the cake for having the most varied bag contents. Libertus keeps a smattering of interesting objects within

8 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

Photos by Amber Smith Graphic by Matthew Dean

Left: HPE advisor Bill Gordon displays the five bags he brings to work. Top: Assistant professor Ruby Libertus’ bag musthave are captured here.

reach at all times. Her purse contains things to suit any occasion, from basic necessities to items in case of international world travel.

The prized possession that has radically changed her life is her new iPad that she uses for all things business. Numerous student recommendation letters find their home next to various other artifacts: a postcard collection for people who are visiting Oklahoma, vitamins, a nose ring and bindi from her international trips, a Barnes & Noble coupon, an extra pair of earrings, a flashlight and an empty Starbuck’s

coffee grounds bag that she will cash in for a free cup of coffee later.

She also stores lunch, paperwork, makeup, reading glasses, gum, perfume and a flash drive in her modern-day Mary Poppins’ bag.

Bags of all shapes and sizes travel about campus, and their owners carry equally unique stories and items inside them. Carrying pieces of daily life, a bag is a necessity, but has many stories to tell.

International students reflect on unique traditions

By Amber Smith Christmas lights drape the Prayer Gardens and the Armand Hammer Center flashes red and green. It’s Christmastime.

Christmas can mean many things to different people. Aiodago Uises, a sophomore from Namibia, thinks of Christmas as an “expression of God’s love that we have the privilege to celebrate.”

While the focus of the holidays changes from culture to culture, strong family bonds are a resounding theme throughout the world during this season.

“The gifts are great and the parties and fireworks are exciting, but at the end of the day, family matters more than anything, and Christmas is another chance to celebrate them,” said Michele Gomez, a sophomore from Guatemala.

Christmas is a time of charity and love, but some choose to have this outlook all year long.

“Everyday I look forward to coming home to my family, and I try to always be in a state of celebrating my Savior,” said Reshi Jason, a grad student from India. “To me, everyday is Christmas.”

Photo by Dominique Johnson

Ricardo Castaneda, a grad student from Colombia, enjoys the ORU prayer garden lighting with fellow international students. (From left) George Kudrov, Shakir Yerkeyev, Elijah Grabovenko, Ricardo Castañeda, Julian Gomez, David Grabovenko, Pablo Behrens, Danielle Huwa and Sarah Stephens.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD Russia Junior David Grabovenko

Colombia

Honduras

Alumnus Ricardo Castañeda

Freshman Gabi Quiroz

During the holiday season, Colombian men and women do not travel without their most valuable item which is believed to bring good luck to travelers: yellow underwear. For this reason, retail stores sell out of this article of clothing very quickly.

In Honduras, Christmas means big firework displays, gifts, food, fellowship not to mention the burning of a scarecrow, which symbolizes the beginning of a new year.

“Winter Salads” are the popular delicacies for many which can include anything from various vegetables and eggs to pepperoni and other meats.

Bakery stuff, tamales, turkey, and ham are just some of the items that you would find on the table at a Colombian Christmas feast.

Sweet potatoes with marshmallows, pork, turkey, and many other treats are typical in Honduras.

Day

In Russia, Christmas Day is actually celebrated Jan. 7.

Christmas in Colombia is celebrated one day earlier on Dec. 24.

Christmas in Honduras is also typically celebrated on Dec. 24.

Weather

Traditionally, during the Christmas season, temperatures can be found around -30 Celsius and tons of snow are expected.

A Christmas in Colombia is similar to that of American tradition, except for the 70 degree weather which means no snow, sadly.

Due to the region Honduras is located in, snow is never seen, and warm weather is expected.

Traditions

Food

While most Americans go the fake tree route, live Christmas trees are a huge tradition in Russia.

Graphic by Matthew Dean

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 9

Professor’s diverse art earns display at local gallery

By Madison McDaniel The works of Assistant Art Professor Jiwon Kim were recently displayed at the Henthorne PAC Gallery.

The opportunity to display Kim’s art came from a colleague, Rhonda Gallagher, assistant professor in the Communication, Arts and Media Department, who told him about the gallery’s search for art submissions.

“So I submitted my body of second experimental art work series, and they accepted my works,” Kim said.

The inspiration of Kim’s artwork is derived from his background.

“I collaborated two cultures of Korean and American culture and used the Asian calligraphy style to illustrate and show the conceptual solution of mixing the black ink and water in an unusual material,” Kim said. “Instead of traditional calligraphy paper, I used the most traditional American style illustration board and used glossy illustration board to capture the fluidity of ink.”

Fifteen pieces of ink calligraphy

illustrations were displayed at the Henthorne PAC Gallery. This includes Kim’s second series titled Cultural Marriage: Merge with Traditional Calligraphy Techniques and Illustration.

Kim said his students were proud and excited to find out their professor’s art was showcased at the gallery. “[My students] were interested in connecting to an actual show from their art instructor that was familiar to them,” Kim said.

Before Kim came to ORU in 2011, he was a creative director at a studio in Georgia, but when a position to teach art opened up, Kim believed God called him to ORU. Kim’s first apprenticeship was in visual communication at KyungGi High School, and he majored in sculpture at the University of Suwon in South Korea. Kim earned his degree in graphic design and drawing at Western Illinois University, his graduate degree from Savannah College of Art and Design, with a Master of Arts in illustration

design and a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design.

Along with his wife, who is also a graphic designer, Kim currently runs a private-sector business that serves clients in Seoul, South Korea, in addition to his position at ORU. “Teaching art in a Christian environment has attracted me mostly, and as an art professor, seeing the students as they develop their abilities through the learning process and observing student’s accomplishments from their hard work is a great reward for me,” Kim said.

Throughout his career, Kim’s taste and design capabilities have changed direction.

“My early scholarship was focused on designers like Paul Rand and the Swiss international style of Bauhaus,” Kim said. “Before I came to ORU, I had been raised in a world in which the apparatus of advertising and consumerism had persistently been taught to me as the most effective and desirable use of my talent in my field.”

Jiwon Kim, Courtesy photo

Now, rather than just working toward fulfilling his client’s taste, Kim is moving beyond what he describes as, “Being forced to create work bound by mediocrity and consumerism,” and is launching his new image through opportunities like the Henthorne PAC Gallery has given him.

“I am trying to find my own voice and proceed the new notion of ‘Cultural Marriage’ of art and design concept to bring my ideology, philosophies, pursuit and ethic from my background in my new art works,” Kim said.

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10 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

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A Crafty Little Christmas

By McKensie Garber Who says you have to venture out into the cold and spend money on gifts this year? Here are some crafty ways to bring Christmas cheer to your friends and family.

No bake gingerbread house Everyone loves making gingerbread houses. This time, skip the messy gingerbread part and use graham crackers instead.

Homemade giftwrap

Christmas ornaments Make your own cute tree ornaments from things around the house. Take a pinecone, some felt and buttons to make an owl ornament. Use a burnt out light bulb, twigs and some glitter to create a snowman ornament.

Take an old ball ornament, glue it in a cupcake liner, swirl some toothpaste over the top and add some sparkles for a cupcake ornament.

Get creative with your giftwrapping. Take brown paper, lace, sheet music or even newspaper to wrap your presents. Top off each package with ribbon, string, buttons, pinecones, evergreen trimmings, cinnamon sticks and anything else you could find in Santa’s workshop.

Christmas snack-mix Curl up to your favorite Christmas movie with a bowl of heavenly goodness. Mix together popcorn, M&Ms, mini pretzels and Rice Chex. Melt white chocolate morsels or almond bark, then pour and stir it into your mix. Sprinkle crushed candy canes or sprinkles on top.

Glass jar snow globe Take an old jar and glue little trees, Christmas figurines or ornaments to the inside of the lid. Fill the jar up with water and glitter. Once you screw the lid on tightly, you have a homemade snow globe to give.

Internet Photos

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 11

A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

By Dominique Johnson One million pictures sit in archives documenting Oral Roberts University’s rich history. Tens of thousands of those are of Oral Roberts himself.

Roberts wanted every moment documented, including when the school received its charter.

Fifty years ago in November 1963, founder Oral Roberts received a charter from Oklahoma to build the university.

Obtaining the charter proved to be complicated.

“There were a lot of people in Tulsa that were skeptical it would ever be accredited and that it would be nothing more than a Bible school,” said George Gillen, business professor. “Because of Oral’s Evangelistic background, they didn’t think that he had the experience or contacts to start a university.”

Gillen worked for the university

1963

during the chartering process and continues to teach business, making him an eye-witness of the school’s groundbreaking history. He said the community did not think the school would receive accreditation. “[Roberts] didn’t know academia,” Gillen said. “So when you are deficient in those areas, you find someone who isn’t. And that was J. [ John] D. Messick.”

Roberts hired Messick, former president of East Carolina University, to help obtain the charter and later accreditation. Messick also helped with the Congressional Educational Committee and opened other doors for the university.

Other early proponents helped make the chartering process possible.

Lee Braxton, chairman of the first Board of Regents, donated money to help the ministry’s indebtedness. Gillen said the situation was “very much the same thing as how Mart Green

Organizational meeting of the Board of Regents of Oral Roberts University

helped” the university in recent debt.

Gillen said an atmosphere of excitement characterized the event of receiving the charter.

“There were no buildings, just fields,” Gillen said. “There was no bus service, [were] no restaurants or anything around it. But there was still a lot of excitement in the air.”

Receiving the charter only marked the beginning. They still needed to build facilities, attract students and later receive accreditation.

The early stages of building saw minimal stages of resistance as Roberts received donations. But the accreditation process did not come so easily.

People remained skeptical even many years after the charter was signed.

Roberts tried to receive accreditation first in 1965 and was turned down a number of times, until 1972.

“The people who were on the [accreditation] team came from secular universities and were agnostics and antagonistic towards Oral,” Gillen said. “[Former provost Dr. Carl Hamilton] saw to it that the last team all came from Christian universities.”

Seven years after the university opened, each of the colleges was fully accredited by state and national agencies.

“The history of the university proves how God was behind all of it,” said Gillen. “He directed it; he saw that it succeeded; he saw that it was accredited by the state. It’s been very exciting to see all of the changes and how the university has grown professionally and academically.”

Statement of philosophy and qualifications of faculty for ORU issued

John D. Messick appointed Dean of Academics

ORU becomes a place for ministers seminars, youth seminars and conferences

Oral Roberts named “Outstand- First international seminar, ing American Indian of 1963” at 212 delegates, 56 nations American Indian Exposition Photos courtesy ORU archives Graphic by Bruce Dixon

A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

By Dominique Johnson One million pictures sit in archives documenting Oral Roberts University’s rich history. Tens of thousands of those are of Oral Roberts himself.

Roberts wanted every moment documented, including when the school received its charter.

Fifty years ago in November 1963, founder Oral Roberts received a charter from Oklahoma to build the university.

Obtaining the charter proved to be complicated.

“There were a lot of people in Tulsa that were skeptical it would ever be accredited and that it would be nothing more than a Bible school,” said George Gillen, business professor. “Because of Oral’s Evangelistic background, they didn’t think that he had the experience or contacts to start a university.”

Gillen worked for the university

1963

during the chartering process and continues to teach business, making him an eye-witness of the school’s groundbreaking history. He said the community did not think the school would receive accreditation. “[Roberts] didn’t know academia,” Gillen said. “So when you are deficient in those areas, you find someone who isn’t. And that was J. [ John] D. Messick.”

Roberts hired Messick, former president of East Carolina University, to help obtain the charter and later accreditation. Messick also helped with the Congressional Educational Committee and opened other doors for the university.

Other early proponents helped make the chartering process possible.

Lee Braxton, chairman of the first Board of Regents, donated money to help the ministry’s indebtedness. Gillen said the situation was “very much the same thing as how Mart Green

Organizational meeting of the Board of Regents of Oral Roberts University

helped” the university in recent debt.

Gillen said an atmosphere of excitement characterized the event of receiving the charter.

“There were no buildings, just fields,” Gillen said. “There was no bus service, [were] no restaurants or anything around it. But there was still a lot of excitement in the air.”

Receiving the charter only marked the beginning. They still needed to build facilities, attract students and later receive accreditation.

The early stages of building saw minimal stages of resistance as Roberts received donations. But the accreditation process did not come so easily.

People remained skeptical even many years after the charter was signed.

Roberts tried to receive accreditation first in 1965 and was turned down a number of times, until 1972.

“The people who were on the [accreditation] team came from secular universities and were agnostics and antagonistic towards Oral,” Gillen said. “[Former provost Dr. Carl Hamilton] saw to it that the last team all came from Christian universities.”

Seven years after the university opened, each of the colleges was fully accredited by state and national agencies.

“The history of the university proves how God was behind all of it,” said Gillen. “He directed it; he saw that it succeeded; he saw that it was accredited by the state. It’s been very exciting to see all of the changes and how the university has grown professionally and academically.”

Statement of philosophy and qualifications of faculty for ORU issued

John D. Messick appointed Dean of Academics

ORU becomes a place for ministers seminars, youth seminars and conferences

Oral Roberts named “Outstand- First international seminar, ing American Indian of 1963” at 212 delegates, 56 nations American Indian Exposition Photos courtesy ORU archives Graphic by Bruce Dixon

SPORTS

@oruoraclesports early tournament wins in the Texas Southern University Invitational and the El Paso Sports Commission Volleyball Invitational. In the two tournaments combined, ORU only lost one set.

Laura Taylor has been one of the most productive players on the team throughout the season. Sirola said she has been playing the best volleyball of her career.

Taylor has 1,023 assists this year,

moving her up to second on the alltime career assists list; a mere 19 short of the school record.

Silva was the main player on defense.

She had 511 digs during the season.

ORU’s offseason addition, Sara Pope, made a huge impact on the team.

She has 353 kills, averaging 3.68 per set.

Jessica Pancratz has the next most kills for ORU with 201, averaging just over two per set.

THE LIKELY PATH TO A CHAMPIONSHIP Photo by Camille Orgel

Sara Pope goes for a kill in a 3-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Volleyball team ready for SLC Championship

By David Sauer The ORU volleyball team begins its pursuit of a Southland Conference Championship today with the start of the conference tournament. A tournament win will put ORU in the NCAA Volleyball Playoffs starting in the beginning of December.

ORU will be the third seed in the Southland tournament and will take on Houston Baptist in the first-round game.

The team finished the regular season with a 22-6 record overall and a 14-4 record in Southland play.

The Golden Eagles have lost in the championship match the last two seasons and look to finish the season with a conference title this year.

“We have been second in conference tournament two times and we’ve got to be first this time,” said Bruna Silva, senior libero for the Golden Eagles. “We are going for it as hard as we can.”

Head coach Sheera Sirola said she expects to win the tournament.

“You have to play well,” said Sirola.

“You have to play smart, and everything else will come. At this point, it’s game by game.”

Laura Taylor, setter for ORU, said the team’s goal is to bring home the

championship.

“We definitely expect to go out and play hard,” Taylor said. “We obviously want to win, so we are working hard to achieve that goal.”

The team will look to send its seniors out with a championship win. It will be the last few games for Silva, Taylor, Jessica Pancratz, Luara Rosa and Stephanie Mab. Both Taylor and Silva will leave their mark on the ORU record books.

Taylor has 3,926 career assists, only 16 short of the ORU career assists record.

Silva has 2,140 career digs, second in ORU history.

The 22 wins overall was the secondmost for Sirola in her career as ORU volleyball head coach.

The season was highlighted by the win over Stephen F. Austin on October 3. ORU came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the match. Not only was it a match win, but it gave Sirola 200 wins as head coach.

ORU had another huge comeback exactly three weeks later. ORU was down 2-0 against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and down 16-6 in the third set. But ORU didn’t give up and came storming back to complete the comeback.

The team started the season with

14 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

First up for ORU is Houston Baptist, a 9-9 team in conference play.

ORU played the Huskies on October 26 and won 3-0. ORU should definitely win this match.

The next matchup will likely be Northwestern State (15-3). ORU lost both matches against NSU this season. The match at home went to a fifth set which ORU lost 15-10.

The road matchup was a 3-0 victory

by NSU, but ORU was within three points each time. They have been able

to compete with NSU this season; they just need to finish the job.

Two wins puts ORU in the championship match. Undeated in conference play, Central Arkansas will most likely be the opponent.

ORU lost both matches against UCA by a 3-1 match score. It would be a rematch of last year’s tournament final, which UCA won 3-1.

Sirola said at the beginning of the year UCA would be the team to beat, and that will be the case.

Men’s soccer concludes season as runner-up

By Jonathan DeFriess Despite losing in the semifinal round of the Summit League Tournament, the ORU men’s soccer team had four players named to All-Summit League teams.

Senior forward Marco Hernandez and senior defender Trevor Laffoon were both named to the All-Summit league Second Team. Junior defender Wayne Farmer and redshirt freshman goalie Ben LaCourse both received AllNewcomer acclamations.

Hernandez scored two goals for ORU with three assists. His best game came on Oct. 12 against Western Illinois when he had both a goal and an assist.

Laffoon and Farmer both contributed to one of ORU’s best defensive seasons every. Both players started every game of the season for the Golden Eagles.

LaCourse started nine games for ORU and finished with a 3-4-1 record.

He recorded 40 saves and pitched two shutouts.

The Golden Eagles finish their season with a 3-1 loss to Western Illinois.

ORU’s Alex White scored the first goal of the game in the seventh minute.

He was assisted by Gerardo Salas.

But this would be the last goal scored by the Golden Eagles.

WIU’s Jacob Bevan scored an unassisted goal after getting a rebound from his first shot and punching it in.

Oscar Ortega scored the final two goals for WIU. The first was right out of the halftime break in the 46th minute off a through ball, with assists from Drew Whalen and Husref Jupic. The second was a header into the upper 90 with assists by Tyler Chavez and Drew Whalen.

The men’s soccer team finished as the Summit League runner-up with a record of 6-8-4.

Western Illinois will continue on and face Denver, the regular season champs and overall number one seed of the tournament.

Photo by Chandler Branzell

Wayne Farmer was one of four men’s soccer team players to receive postseason accolades.

Record season ends short for women’s soccer

By George Korkian After what was a record breaking season for the Oral Roberts University women’s soccer team, the Golden Eagles fell in penalty kicks to Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference semifinal.

The loss brought the Golden Eagles to a 15-4-1 overall mark for the season, which marks the best finish the women’s soccer team has ever had.

The Golden Eagles had to mix and match this season, and also had to account for some injuries, most notably at goalie when Preseason All-Southland selection Helen Erb went down with injury before the Oklahoma game.

Maddie Rhodes came in for Erb and played great, finishing in the top 30 of the nation in both goals against average and save percentage.

“Within about a minute, the team was able to say, ‘We are behind Maddie, we have faith in her and we believe in her,’” said Head Coach Roger Bush. “Maddie’s a wonderful player and we are blessed to have two great goalkeepers on our team.”

Even though the Golden Eagles set the all-time Photo by Chandler Branzell Kayla Keller looks to move the ball down the field. record for wins in a season, the team still had a bad

taste in their mouths with how the season ended.

“I’m still bummed that we lost in semi’s,” said senior defender Rachel Carroll. “I think we definitely were good enough to win it this year, and it was disappointing that it had to end how it did in PK’s. We gave it all we had, and we grew so much as a team. I’m so proud of how the team played down the stretch.”

The Golden Eagles will lose their leading scorer from this past season, Jennifer Abernathy, but return a talented squad that should be able to compete for the conference title again.

“We are extremely excited about the group of seniors who will be here next season,” Bush said. “They will do a wonderful job of leading the program, and we have full confidence and faith in them.”

“We already have 23 kids on the roster going into the spring, and they will be a roster that is ready to go and compete. We have lots of work and improvements to make, but we are confident in the 23 we have as of now.”

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 15

D-mace: Ex-manager turned player

By Parrish Purnell Jr. David Mason began his journey at ORU as an assistant manager for the Men’s basketball team. The job lasted for four years. Now, as a grad student, Mason has found his way onto the team as a walk-on.

“D-mace,” as he’s known on campus, has seen the basketball team go through ups and downs in the lockerroom through his four years serving as assistant manager.

His daily duties consisted of setting out practice gear, washing dirty jerseys and mixing Gatorade by the gallon.

Though this was something Mason appreciated, his dream was to play college basketball. That dream became reality at the conclusion of the 20122013 season. D-Mace joined the team as a walk-on.

“It’s quite a feeling,” Mason said.

“After so many years of sitting behind the bench, helping set-up practices, now I’m the one that’s getting his jersey washed.”

Mason grew up here in Tulsa, Okla. and attended Jenks high school, where he played for the Jenks team.

“Out of high school, I wasn’t looking to play anywhere,” Mason said. “But it was a great opportunity to be here still around the game.”

Mason comes in as a 5’9” guard with a 160 pound frame...not exactly the Division 1 athlete bluprint. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart and competitiveness.

“I feel like my competitiveness has brought me to the point where I’m at,” Mason said. “It gives me an extra edge.”

As Mason reflects on the career he’s had, it’s highlighted by a 32 point effort against Jenks’ rival, Union High School,

during his senior year.

“I don’t know if I’ll score 30 again, but you never know,” Mason said. “All I know is when I get in, I’m going to be looking for my shot.”

So far, Mason has seen minutes of two pre-season games and scored in both of them.

For most walk-ons, playing time comes rarely, especially as the season continues to progress.

Despite not being a part of Coach Sutton’s 8-man rotation and the likelihood of him not playing a lot, Mason looks on with hope and excitement.

“Whether I get in or not, I’m still going to be the best teammate I can be,” Mason said. “I’m going to cheer loudly on the bench, and in practice, I’m going to bring high energy.”

Photo by Nick Conroy

Basketball walk-on David Mason poses for the camera in his jersey.

Senior Sarah Shelton, ‘defensive anchor’

By David Sauer Senior Sarah Shelton will be a big part of ORU’s basketball success this year.

Shelton played her first season for ORU last year, after transferring from SMU in 2011. The 6-foot-3-inch center made her presence known during last year’s NCAA Tournament, when she had six blocks against Tennessee.

“In that game I was like ‘Oh, I just did that,’” Shelton said. “And then I kept doing it and I was like ‘This is really cool.’”

Fellow senior Christian Key said the blocks definitely impact the game.

“When she gets a block like that, it just gets everyone pumped up and it can really change the pace of the game,” Key said.

Shelton’s ability to block stems from her volleyball days in high school, where she played near the net. She said

the volleyball experience helps her on the basketball court.

“I think just being able to time the swing and knowing when it’s at the highest point so when I’m going to technically jump. It’s really a timing thing,” Shelton said.

Shelton is going to contribute more than just blocks this year. She is expected to be a leader both on and off the court. She said the leadership role comes as a part of her normal routine. “[It’s] just bringing everything to every practice, every game,” Shelton said.

“Coming in ready to work, ready to do my role on the team. It’s leading by example – doing what you’re supposed to be doing every time.”

On court, Shelton will be a key contributor in the defense, as well as the offense.

“She’s definitely our defensive anchor,” said head coach Misti Cussen. “When

16 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

we extend and do things defensively, it makes such a difference having Sarah down low. It gives our guards the ability to take chances.”

Cussen also said that Shelton is in the best shape of her life and is fully prepared for the season.

“I think more than anything else Sarah has a glow about her this year,” Cussen said. “She knows her importance to us and she understands the role she is capable of playing for us.

Last year, she was learning the ORU system for the first time... with three incredibly talented seniors. It really groomed her into being a leader for us this year.”

Down low, Shelton will be working closely with Bernadett Balla, who will play forward for ORU. “I love playing with Detti,” Shelton said. “She brings the European style basketball.

She has all these moves that

are so cool. I catch myself watching and being like ‘That is awesome.’ Detti’s intensity is impressive. Her defense is stellar. She’s always ready to go.

She’s an excellent passer and I love playing the high-low game with her.”

Shelton expects to continue the success that she and the

team had at the end of last year.

“I plan to pick up where I left off; go back in, have a good preseason and be ready to go for conference, and take it for a second time.”

Senior Sarah Shelton shows off her defensive skills and fights for a rebound against USAO. Courtesy Photo

SCENE

Tulsa welcomes Switchfoot’s ‘Fading West’ tour

Courtesy Photo

By Meghan Drake “It is a two-way dialogue. We’ve always viewed music as a conversation,” said Switchfoot drummer, Chad Butler.

Switchfoot is bringing its conversation to Tulsa tonight at the Brady Theater. The popular Christian alternative-rock band will be doing more than singing songs from the group’s eight albums.

The concert will be distinctive, with a mix of from the “Fading West” film, open conversation with the audience and a mix of songs.

The film, which chronicles the journeys of Switchfoot and the band’s travels, will premier in Tulsa, and then be released on Dec. 10 for worldwide digital showing and limited theater showing.

“Fading West” takes place in several different countries. During this time, the band wrote songs and, of course, surfed.

Butler said it was the diverse environments through traveling that gave them a fresh take on its music.

“When I’m out in the water surfing, [I’m] spending a lot of the time looking at this infinite horizon out in the ocean,” he said. “To me, it’s a place to reconnect, to really feel small in the scope of the world. I think there’s some beauty and connection between music and surfing.”

This type of thinking, conveyed in the band’s mu-

sic, has created the band’s fan base.

“I think the goal first is always honest music,” Butler said.

On top of the band’s usual honest songwriting, Switchfoot has brought a new level of transparency in the film.

“The film captures some very personal, honest, behind-the-scenes moments of the band that I think will surprise many people,” Butler said.

“We’ve never been this open about our lives offstage and our families and the struggles and the tension that we wrestle with trying to be husbands and fathers and playing [in] a rock’n’roll band that tours around the world.”

The themes expressed in the film, and later in the songs, explore deep questions: Why are we doing what we’re doing? How do we find balance in life? How do we deal with difficulties?

“It’s much more than just a rock documentary or a surf film. It’s a very human story,” Butler said.

Switchfoot’s current EP showcases a few of the songs that will be on the “Fading West” album. The full album is set to release in January.

One of those songs, “Love Alone is Worth the Fight,” reflects the themes in the film.

“It kind of encapsulates the whole sort of theme that we were questioning, ‘Why are we doing what

we’re doing?’” Butler said.

In addition to the “Fading West” film and an open discussion with the band, the audience should expect a full concert of favorite songs.

“Some of the songs are more stripped down and some are full on, and then [there are] a few of the new songs from our EP,” Butler said.

When done with the tour, Switchfoot will return to the group’s hometown of San Diego, Cali., to finish with something close to the band’s heart.

Bro-Am is part musical festival and part charity surfing contest. It benefits local children’s charities that fight against child homelessness.

This summer will be Switchfoot’s 10th time to attend the event.

“For us, we just lit the match and it’s just grown and grown and grown, and the community has really fanned the flame in that effort,” Butler said.

After 17 years, Switchfoot is continuing to produce gripping music and, now, a vivid film.

“It’s very humbling to be in front of the camera, and realize that I think I’m much better at playing music than acting,” Butler said. “If I had to do it all over again, I would have hired better actors.”

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 17

‘Hunger Games’ premiere catches fire on campus

By McKensie Garber The world anxiously awaited Nov. 22 for the “Hunger Games” sequel “Catching Fire” to hit theater screens.

The science-fiction adventure film is based on the second novel in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. With a current 94 percent rating on “Rotten Tomatoes,” the film is predicted to bring in about $185 million at the box office and dominate for three weeks straight weeks.

Produced by Lionsgate and directed

by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Academy Award-winning Best Actress Jennifer Lawrence as heroine, Katniss Everdeen.

The story picks up where the first

film left off. Katniss returns home from winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games with fellow victor Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson.

While battling post-traumatic stress, Katniss must leave her family again to embark on a “Victory Tour” with Peeta.

Katniss notices restlessness as she visits the oppressed districts of Panem and senses a rebellion.

Little does she know, the archer has yet to face her biggest challenge, when she will be forced into the arena again for the 75th Annual Hunger Games “Quarter Quell” to fight to the death against past victors.

There has been much anticipation

for the futuristic, action-packed film.

The Student Association (SA) rented out three theaters at the Riverwalk Theater in Jenks to give away 600 free tickets for the midnight premiere.

Eighteen wings competed in a scavenger hunt to win tickets on Friday, Nov. 15. The victors were floors Vision of Gabby 2 and Full Armor of EMR 3.

Students have followed SA on social media for scavenger clues to locate tickets around campus.

Sophomore Samantha Finn even swam through Lake Evelyn in pursuit of tickets. Although she did not find any, she was awarded with 20 tickets in reward for her “brave attempt.”

“It was very cold. My body was completely numb afterwards,” Finn said. “I had a headache the first night and the second day.”

Lionsgate announced that the final piece of the trilogy, “Mockingjay,” will be split into two films, just as the final “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” movies.

Part 1 will be released on Nov. 21, 2014, and Part 2 on Nov. 20, 2015. Francis Lawrence will be returning as director for the two pictures that will be filmed back to back.

We’ve been lucky with a curfew extension for the priemere. For the future films, may the odds be ever in our favor.

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The search for study sanctuary

By Joshua Ellison With finals just around the corner, two words are on everyone’s minds: Christmas and studying.

But, before you can have the former, you must get through the latter. To help push through your last week, here’s a list of some of the best places to study on and off campus.

The Prayer Garden If you can bear the dropping temperature, the Prayer Garden makes a nice place to study. It offers the peace and quiet of a park, without having to cross town to get there. It has a number of tables and benches, or you can spread out under a tree and enjoy the grass.

The Student Lounge When the Hammer Center opened, the café next to Chick-fil-A was replaced by Jazzman’s. Fortunately, all of the sofas and tables remained. As a result, the room makes a perfect study location. Sink into one of the sofas and put your feet up as you work, or grab some friends and host a group study session.

The Library This may sound like an obvious choice, but many people overlook it. The library offers a quiet and spacious place to focus and get a lot of work done. There are private study rooms available for reservation, as well as multiple computers and printers if needed.

Nordaggio’s If you want to get off campus, but don’t have a car, look no farther than Nordaggio’s. This small coffee house is just across the street. “Nord’s” has free Wi-Fi, a relaxed, quiet atmosphere and a wide selection of great coffees and teas. It can get crowded during the evenings though, and don’t plan on staying too late.

They close at 11 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, and midnight the rest of the week.

Find Nordaggio’s in the shopping center on the corner of 81 and Lewis behind McAlister’s.

Panera Bread Also within walking distance is Panera Bread. The restaurant has many soups, salads and sandwiches that won’t disappoint. They also offer coffee, but don’t expect the same quality you’d find in one of the coffee shops around Tulsa. The restaurant is large enough to support a group of people, and noise isn’t an issue.

The atmosphere isn’t as nice as some other places, but it’s quiet, and you can get work done easily. Panera is located at 6981 Lewis Ave., next to Moody’s Jewelry.

Your Room If all else fails, your room can become a studying last stand. Your dorm room can provide a certain familiarity or comfort that can help you focus. Try to avoid the distractions your room may provide, e.g. video games, and focus on working.

The student lounge, formerly internet cafe, provides couches for relaxation while studying.

Photos by Josh Ellison

The peace and quiet of the library offers a sanctuary for solitary studiers.

‘Thor’ sequel thrills audiences

By Victoria Atterberry Alan Taylor introduced new mystical worlds and unique character powers in his highly anticipated drama “Thor: The Dark World.”

It picks up right where the original “Thor” left off.

When a mysterious dark power threatens Earth, Asgard and the other realms, Thor must find a way to destroy this evil power once and for all.

Alliances form, trusts are broken and battles are waged in an epic attempt to save what’s left of the nine realms.

Full of captivating scenes and dramatic battles of good versus evil, “Thor: The Dark World” doesn’t lack action or adventure.

New conflicts unfold as the charming love story of Thor and Jane continues.

The storyline provides romantic movie goers something to look forward to.

The pacing never allows the audience to get bored. Each scene has something new to offer, keeping the audience entertained and captivated. In addition to producing an entertaining plot, “Thor: The Dark World” brings back the award winning cast that made the original “Thor” famous.

Chris Hemsworth once again plays the role of the cocky, invincible superhero Thor. Natalie Portman fills the role of the quirky, nerdy and love sick, Jane Foster. Tom Hiddleston gives a powerful performance as he plays the villainous Loki.

This action-adventure was definitely entertaining and fun to watch. Powerful acting, captivating visuals and humorous themes truly brought this movie together.

However, like many good movies, there was one flaw.

There’s an unnecessary amount of

humor. Some humor is enjoyable, and a good relief from the gravity of the movie. But the excessive amount of humor in this movie becomes stale and dull, and takes away from the plot.

Overall, “Thor: The Dark World” is a well made sequel that lived up to the

hype it received.

Unlike many other anticipated sequels, this film was not a letdown, and Thor fans as well as others will unquestionably enjoy this film. Four stars for the fun and exciting “Thor: the Dark World.”

Internet Photo

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 19

Student directors stage ‘The Glass Menagerie’

By Chelsey Butler Every semester, students in the ORU theatre department enroll in directing class, unaware of the semesterlong journey of learning and personal growth awaiting them.

The directing class gives students a chance to stage a piece of a larger show, and at the end of the semester, the scenes are combined and the show is performed for audiences. On Nov. 13-15, “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams was performed in Howard Auditorium, directed by 10 very diverse students.

“The biggest thing that I learned from directing was how stressful it is to be a director,” said senior history major Darius Russelle.

Darius’ minor in drama landed him in directing class for his final semester.

“From choosing the show, to casting the show, to blocking, to costumes, to doing tech... All of this has to be done,” Ruselle said. “And somehow, magically, it all comes together no matter how many times we stress out.

So prayer is very key during this fun, experimental process.”

Senior Mercede Hanson used her training as a musical theater major to bring life to her scene.

“I wanted my actors to truly dig deep and find the layers of the characters’ relationships,” Hanson said. “I wanted the audience to have a connection with each of the characters.”

Hanson felt she got the most out of her cast. “The actors did an amazing job of evoking an emotional response from the audience.” said Hanson.

“I am a music major and never have done anything like this. The whole experience was a challenge; a good challenge, from beginning to end,” said Maria Rumar.

As a senior music major and international student from Sweden, Rumar brought qualities to her scene that were unique, but she was not without her own struggles in the creative process.

“I would say the most difficult part was to get everything to go together,” Rumar said. “You never realize how much time things take until you are in the middle of them; trying to finish [costumes], blocking, figuring out music and lights. But, it was a great experience and I learned a lot.”

Chris Daniels, a junior drama television film major, said directing the show taught him peace.

As the male lead in the Spring 2013 production of “Hello Dolly,” Daniels has had his fair amount of time in the theater. Directing taught him a new aspect of the stage in a very tangible way.

“Not everything goes as it should, but at the end of the day, it always comes together,” Daniels said. “I love the fact the we have the option to fail.

It makes the experience much more real, and the success huge.”

At the end of the day, the students took this unique experience to come together and create the show. “The most rewarding thing about directing was seeing everyone’s efforts bring forth the vision imagined,” said senior drama television film major Koreen McClain.

“It was a group effort.”

Courtesy photo

(From Left) Kaylee Gallagher, a student director, poses with her cast, Jordan Buie, Katie Johnson and Cameron Ethridge to celebrate a job well done.

20 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

Courtesy photo

Ashley Hazzard displays her elaborate, vintage costume after the Friday, Nov. 15 showing of “The Glass Menagerie.”

MUSE

The harbor is always here

By Amber Earls

Six Months.

I’ve been in Tulsa, Okla. for six months.

I did not expect, by any stretch of the imagination, to return to Tulsa, to return to ORU, to return to the Midwest.

I was anchored in my native Philadelphia, planning to stay until I fulfilled my dream of moving to New York and becoming a writer.

I imagine that some of you have, on occasion, wondered why ORU, why this place?

I know it sounds a little cliché, but if I were reminded of anything through Tim Ross’ visit to chapel, sometimes being docked in a place you’re supposed to be in life is the perfect thing for the season.

When I arrived in Tulsa, I was incredibly conflicted. Two years after graduation, I’d not really found my niche, and I was displeased with the idea of feeling adrift.

I’d accepted my fate. I was convinced that where I was in life was sufficient, being complacent was enough and settling was an acceptable option.

There was also a legitimate reason I had to stay put: my family needed me.

My mom had just been diagnosed with leukemia two months earlier, and she’d be starting her treatment soon (not chemotherapy, but treatment; and no, the doctors still don’t understand how she’s been healed. You’ll have to ask me about that one later).

Little did I know that I would not only find my place in life here, but after about three months of serious travailing, I would start the career I’ve been praying for, and didn’t even know was here waiting for me.

God would take care of my mom in the most mind-blowing way, and I still can’t get over just how amazingly all of

our needs have been supplied.

Needless to say, I love working in Distance Learning.

It’s the perfect combination of what I love to do: work with people, administration and business.

When I take the time to think beyond myself, I think about the freshmen and transfer students who frequent my desk asking D2L and ePortfolio questions.

As I patiently reference the help videos and answer the questions, I think about what brought them here, the stories of their journeys, how they’re coping. This is their first semester in a new place, and I can empathize with that.

Back when I was a freshman, orientation was called “Harbor.”

The idea behind it was there will always be a port, a refuge, if you will, for any ORU student. You are being trained to leave, to “go into every person’s world,” but there will be a place for you here should you need it.

The full impact of this statement hit home for me this past March: ORU really is a harbor.

After leaving this particular port, after trying my oars and motors in the big blue sea, I returned, learned to ask for help, for technique, to find a place in the space I once called home.

One day, you’ll graduate and once again, meet life at a crossroads.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the people who accompanied you to this point in your journey.

A big part of growing up is finding the harbors in your own life.

You may not come back to them physically, but there is nothing wrong with looking back to find out what those harbors mean to you.

Continued from page 7 “To pay for and plan a wedding in three weeks was just crazy, and we never asked for this help, but people were just so gracious,” Jordan said. “They just stepped up and provided for us. Everything from the honeymoon to the venue was all given to us for free.”

After their honeymoon, Jordan and Cady moved into a Tulsa apartment near the Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA).

The cancer in Jordan’s head and lungs had now spread to his lymph nodes and was growing more aggressively. After undergoing two months of high-dose chemotherapy, scans showed the cancer was not responding to treatment. In fact, it had grown significantly.

The tumor in his head was pressing against his right eye, and his vision was deteriorating. The doctor told Jordan that he was going to be blind within a week to 10 days.

“My faith wasn’t moved. I felt really beat up. I was discouraged and afraid, but Cady and I just turned to God. We decided that cancer was not going to take my sight and that I was going to see the faces of my grandchildren.”

In an attempt to find a second opinion, they met with 10 doctors in two days at the CTCA at the beginning of October. One of the most renowned neurosurgeons in Tulsa told Jordan that there was nothing they could do and that the cancer was going to take his life in a short period of time.

The doctor left the room and Cady pulled out her Bible and said, “While we appreciate the doctor’s report. That’s not the final report. That’s not the report of the Lord.”

Jordan and Cady attended Bethel Healing Ministries in Redding, Calif., where a guest speaker called Jordan out of the crowd by name and said that he would be healed.

“I didn’t know him and he didn’t know I was there, but he received this word from God and spoke it out and

really just prophesized over me that I would eventually be healed.”

Two weeks later, after finding a doctor that would take on his case, Jordan went into his first of two surgeries on Oct. 24 to remove the tumor from his head. He underwent the second part of his surgery on Oct. 25, when the surgeon made a six-inch incision on the right side of his head.

The doctor had originally hoped to remove 70 percent of the tumor, but was able to remove 80 percent. During the major surgery, the doctor gave Jordan a prosthetic eye comb to support his eye and used one of Jordan’s jaw muscles to help support his brain from falling. It will take six weeks for his brain and skull to recover from the surgery before beginning further treatment.

He did not lose his vision.

Jordan spent seven days in ICU and nine total days in the hospital with Cady by his side.

“He’s confident that the Lord is going to heal him. It’s never been a question to him that this would take his life,” Cady said.

Both see this as only the beginning of their unfolding story of love and faith.

“There’s not bitterness in his heart about this situation,” Cady said. “He sees it simply that God is going to use this for His glory. The biggest thing I’ve learned from Jordan is his steadfast faith.”

Photo by Karis Crawford

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 21

The Syndicated Cynic: Embrace ‘Happy holidays’

By Greg America Brown Hey, the winter holidays are coming up. That’s fairly exciting. Are you offended by the fact that I said “holidays,” rather than saying “Christmas?” Are you not as excited as you were because of this?

A lot of conservative Christians despise any other term for the Christmas season besides “Christmas,” and, honestly, it is an immature mindset that borders on selfishness.

Take businesses, for instance, who are the main users of terms like “holidays.”

Did it ever occur to many who are enraged by this action that they do it to widen their customer base, not to offend Christians?

With nearly a quarter of Americans claiming no ties to Christianity, it should not honestly surprise anyone that businesses want to include other religions in their advertising.

It would be absolutely foolish for a company that sells goods and services in December to not include

Final exam schedule Extended library hours SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Nov. 24 2-11:30 pm

Nov. 25 7:30am11:30 pm

Nov. 26 8am-8 pm

Nov. 27 No classes 8am-8 pm

Dec. 1 2-11:30 pm

Dec. 2 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 3 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 4 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 8 2-11:30 pm

Dec. 9 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 10 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 11 7:30am11:30 pm

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

non-Christians in their advertising.

Newsflash: this is not a conspiracy to destroy Christianity. This is a way for businesses to include clientele that have different belief sets than Christianity.

Businesses aside, how would you feel if, say, Kwanzaa was the most popular December holiday in the United States, and every sign or greeting around Tulsa said, “Have a Krazy Kwanzaa?”

It would not be comfortable. Christians would feel excluded, considering that they also have a December holiday.

I have no problem allowing others to celebrate their own holidays.

That does not, however, compromise my beliefs, nor does it mean that I agree with the beliefs of those who celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Yule, or what have you.

It does mean I respect these people, and refuse to annoy them with self-centeredness.

You may still let someone know about Christ without “Merry Christmas” posted on the post-office door.

Honestly, I doubt that God really cares too much about the terms used to refer to a holiday that actually

SATURDAY Dec. 7th

9:45-11:45AM MMC 194 & LR 236

MONDAY Dec. 9th

TUESDAY Dec. 10th

7:30-9:30AM ALL LANG (101/102, 203/204)

8:50AM T & THUR CLASSES

9:50AM M, W & F CLASSES 12:00-2PM ALL HUM (TBA)

12:50PM T & THUR CLASSES 1:50PM M, W, & F CLASSES

9:20AM T & THUR CLASSES 2:20PM T & THUR CLASSES 2:50PM M, W & F CLASSES

is not even mandated by Christ at any point.

Of course, I do not want to see the abandonment of the classical Christian Christ mas, but we should not see it as the end of the world every time Macy’s or Walmart invites non-Christians to buy their wares.

As a matter of fact, it probably shouldn’t really bother Christians at all. It does not affect them. As a Christian, my relationship with Jesus has literally nothing to do with what the season sign says over the gift card section of Walgreen’s every December.

If you celebrate Christmas, celebrate Christmas.

Spend time with your family. Remember the life of Christ. Set up your Nativity scene. Open presents and eat too much. No one is forcing anyone to stop celebrating Christmas.

Is your faith dependent on the culture in which you live? If so, you may need to reevaluate your concept of faith. It probably wouldn’t have lasted well against the lions of the Colosseum.

On that note, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or whatever, and enjoy the end of 2013, which I hope has been a fantastic year.

WEDNESDAY Dec. 11th

THURSDAY Dec. 12th

7:50AM M, W & F CLASSES

7:50AM T & THUR CLASSES

8:50AM M, W & F CLASSES

12:50PM M, W & F CLASSES

10:50AM T & THUR CLASSES

FRIDAY Dec. 13th ALL SAT. CLASSES

3:50PM T & THUR CLASSES

3:50PM M, W & F CLASSES

SATURDAY

Nov. 28 HOLIDAY CLOSED

Nov. 29 No classes Noon-7:30pm

Nov. 30 Noon-7:30pm

Dec. 5 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 6 7:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 7 11:30am11:30 pm

Dec. 12 7:30am-9pm

Dec. 13 8am-6:30 pm Finals End

Dec. 14 CLOSED

22 • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • THE ORACLE

5:30-7:15PM ALL COM 101 Graphic by Matthew Dean

Graphic by Matthew Dean

THE ORACLE • Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 • 23

Donate your used textbooks.

The ORU Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta invites you to place your books unable to be sold back at the bookstore in collection bins located throughout the GC and the dorms. This project supports ORU’s sustainability efforts and will track the pounds of books ORU diverts from landfills, the number of trees saved through book reuse, and number of books donated to nonprofits as well as the portion of funds raised for literacy.

A Children’s Christmas Carnival will take place before the concert from 6:15-7:15 p.m. with fun games, Christmas treats, hands-on activities and Santa Claus visiting from the North Pole.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature ORU combined choirs, orchestra and featured guests including Kelly Ford, Brian Nhira,

Jason Swanson, the Lincoln Christian School Children’s Honor Choir, and the Victory Christian School Children’s Choir. Admission to the concert is a new unwrapped toy which will be donated to the a child in the Tulsa community through the Salvation Army.

For more information, please call 918-495-6864.

Funds raised from these textbooks will be used by Sigma Tau Delta to benefit the National Center for Family Literacy.