September 27, 2012 Print Edition

Oral Roberts University • Sept. 27, 2012 Tulsa, Okla. • Vol. 47, No. 4 www.oruoracle.com

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Web www.oruoracle.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ORUOracle Twitter @ORUOracle 2 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

LIFE

Rutland assures alumni ORU is “turning the corner”

By Hannah Convington The school no longer stands as an extension of a world-famous ministry.

Buildings once frequented by students have since been razed into the red Oklahoma dust. Construction on a new building never before frequented by students now approaches completion.

Favorite faculty members have long since retired. Floor names and intramural legacies draw in breath and expire, making room for new names and new student bodies to make their marks.

The Oral Roberts University of 2012 may not be the school they remember, but it is still one alumni can feel proud to support.

This is the message President Mark Rutland delivered to a group of 40 alumni who gathered in the Mabee Center south lobby Sept. 21 for a monthly alumni luncheon.

As proof, Rutland announced that enrollment has grown to 3,335 students for the 2012-13 academic year, up 76 students from last year. This is

the fourth straight year of enrollment increases.

Freshmen retention is also up to 83 percent.

“The number of students who come back to ORU after their freshmen year is the purest indicator of customer satisfaction,” Rutland said.

Rutland used the occasion to assuage the concerns of alumni who have worried about their alma mater in the past.

To do so, he pointed to new development projects and updated alumni on the construction of the Armand Hammer Alumni Student Center. The building is still on schedule for a January completion and dedication.

“Light and transparency are the architectural linguistics of this building,” Rutland said.

“We’ve turned the lights on, and they’re going to stay on.”

The student center will also boast an entertainment area with a display of 36 big screens, making it the largest televi-

sion set in Oklahoma.

During the luncheon, Rutland also addressed the timeline for the university’s presidential search. The Board of Trustees has received 140 to 150 resumes for the position, which CarterBaldwin Executive Search firm will continue to winnow down over the fall semester. He said the goal is to present the final candidate to the university in January.

June 30 marks Rutland’s last day as president.

Rutland also took time to field questions from alumni. One person asked for details on the state of the university’s endowment.

Rutland explained that a university endowment should equal annual costs – at the very least. Last year, the Board of Trustees approved a $100 million budget. Presently, the school’s cash endowment is up to $5 million. When Rutland began in 2009, the school lacked any kind of cash endowment.

He stressed that he hopes alumni

will support their alma mater despite any misgivings about the school’s “great and colorful and complicated past.”

“We need the alumni to say, ‘This is the school we’ve graduated from,’” he said.

Jesse Pisors, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, said he feels like the alumni have responded. He said the number of alumni contributors is up substantially from years past.

“We had the greatest amount in history in terms of money given by alumni last year,” Pisors said.

With the Higher Learning Commission team arriving Oct. 8 on campus to evaluate the school’s 10-year approval, Rutland said he is excited to show off the university’s improvements.

“ORU is turning the corner in many ways,” Rutland said in reference to the school’s steady improvement since the university’s last accreditation in 2007.

“There are turnarounds, and then there’s a resurrection,” Rutland said.

“Ours is a resurrection, and we have a wonderful story to tell.”

ORU enrollment on the rise Here are the fall semester enrollment figures from the last five years. Since 2008, enrollment has increased by 268 students, showing an 8.7 percent increase. Dr. Nancy Brainard, vice president for enrollment management, said the trend is particularly indicative of robust incoming classes. “We are thrilled to welcome the largest group of freshmen to campus since 2003,” Brainard said.

SOURCE: ORU Registrar

3,067 2008

3,140

2009

3,212

2010

3,335 3,259

2011

2012 Graphic by Mark A. Niemeyer

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 3

MEET YOUR RESIDENCE HALL DIRECTORS 1.

What were you doing before you joined ORU’s staff?

I am a recent graduate “of the most joyful campus in this or any parallel universe.” I graduated with a degree in health and physical education. Over the summer, I worked as a camp counselor/specialist at Camp Loughridge. It was an awesome experience!

Goodfellas, and finally landing on MC 9 (Semper Fi). Each was great, and some were quieter than others. I learned valuable lessons from each floor.

Jonathan Baker

6. What do

you think are current key concerns of college students?

Knowing our identity and purpose is key to our success. If we let others define us they will also confine us. Understanding who we are and why we are here grants us the freedom to stand up for the Lord in the face of peer pressure and a world with contrary beliefs.

EMR

caption

Photo by Stephen Salmon Photos by Stephen Salmon

EMR’s Jonathan Baker is dating Claudius Hall Director Ashley Winn.

2. Where are you from and where

Corey Frederick is a graduate assistant working in EMR this year.

1. What were you doing before

you joined ORU’s staff?

Before I joined ORU’s staff, I was a graduate student here at ORU as well as a head residential advisor through the Dean of Men program.

4. What was your dormitory

experience like as a student (and in which dorms did you live)?

I have lived in all three of the residence halls here at ORU, though I have spent most of my time in EMR. I have enjoyed my overall on campus 2. Where are you residential life from and where experience. There did you attend colwere lots of late lege? nights and early I am originally from mornings along the island of BarbaGRAD ASSISTANT with your occados. I lived there my sional all-nighters, in first 8 years growing up, which I do not wish that then I moved to Las Vegas. on anyone.

I transferred from the University of

Corey Frederick

Nevada Las Vegas before I attended ORU.

3. Tell us a little about your family

status.

I am the oldest out of three children. I have no kids. I am not married, and I have no pets.

5. Is there a particular motto you

live by that will help guide you with your new job?

Without struggle there is no progress.

4 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

did you attend college?

I grew up in the beautiful state of Idaho (Go Boise State!). It was a small town of about 700 people or so.

After high school, I joined the U.S. Navy and served 4 years on an aircraft carrier near Seattle, Wash. Then I attended Walla Walla Community College in Washington State for two years, to ease my way back into school before transferring to ORU.

3. Tell us a little about your family

status.

I have no spouse, children or pets… yet. However, I am dating the most beautiful woman, who happens to be the new Claudius hall director, Ashley A. Winn. Hallelujah! The Lord is good!

4. What’s one item you have in

your room that makes your living space your own?

I am not sure if it is one item that makes my living space my own, as it is the condition of my room. I love my living space clean and organized.

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Thank you boot camp!

5. What was your dormitory ex-

perience like as a student (and in which dorms did you live)?

I enjoyed life in the dorms. I was able to live in all of the male residence halls. I started off in EMR on Republic (4N), and then traveled to 7N, 3S, then onto Wesley 6 with the

7. How do you endeavor to enrich

student life on campus?

ORU has the best students because they hear the voice of God and then go on to change the world for Jesus. To enrich student life I must be an example of that. I must also be relatable and available to all those around me.

Without contact there is no impact.

8. Is there a particular motto you

live by that will help guide you with your new job?

The past year or so this has become more of my life motto: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) I love Jesus because He FIRST loved me. I adopt His attitude of loving others first. I am not waiting for others to love me. I am going to love others first and aggressively love them no matter if they like me, don’t like me, talk good about me or talk behind my back. …It does not matter. I am going to love like He loves because love changes people.

Love changed me.

9. Based on your experiences, what

would your general advice be for students who are dealing with a difficult person on their floor? My good friend Jordan Carter once said, “Behind every behavior there is a story.” Our job is to find out their story to better understand where they are coming from. Find out the story behind the behavior.

Engineering enrollment spikes

By Ian Harrup When the first day of Engineering Seminar came around in August, students walked in expecting a normal day of class.

No one anticipated that the room would be totally filled to capacity or that the location would have to be changed twice until they found a room that was large enough to fit more than 130 students.

ORU has had a dramatic growth in enrollment over the past few years, and the size of engineering classes has grown by 60 students. The department finished a new lab six months ago and also had its accreditation renewed.

Much of this growth in the engineering department stems from a need for engineers in today’s job market.

Fox News recently reported that automobile manufacturers across the country recovered

very quickly from the 2008 economic crisis, but, their sudden growth caused them to run out of trained engineers. Now there is a surplus of car manufacturing jobs available.

It’s not just cars. Industries of all kinds are hungry for well-trained engineers.

Currently there is a deficit of 600,000 engineers across America.

According to junior Addison Cruz, that’s exactly why he chose the field. Cruz said that though the classes are challenging, they get easier further along in the program.

“Once you get past the weed-out classes, and the dropouts are gone, the content gets easier for juniors and seniors,” Cruz said. “The teachers are training us well, and though they get stricter, they want you to excel.”

Cruz cited these profes-

sors as one of the department’s main strengths.

“They are giving “The biggest you experience that problem with engiis applicable to your neering students future.” is [they’re] not Cruz also said using their minds that they emphaanymore.” Snuffer size the importance said. “If they chalof working well lenge their minds, “Engineers are the in a team situation, stick with it and be problem solvers of which he apprecisociety,” said Dean passionate about it, ates. they can fulfill their Dominic Halsmer.

“For me, perdreams.” sonally, I love the teamwork Snuffer said he appreciates between students,” said Cruz. the opportunities this degree “Sure, there are a few dropouts, offers him after graduation. but there’s still a lot of dedi“There is a vast array cated people left with a future of fields: aeronautics, opthat looks good.” tics, NASA and a lot more,” Sophomore Christopher Snuffer said.

Snuffer explained that the “If you can persevere and department typically attracts get that engineering degree, students with similar academic you will be respected because strengths, such as math and of how many applications science. there are for it.”

Dr. Dominic Halsmer, the dean of math, science and engineering, expressed excitement for the increase, and is particularly happy that the students are getting their education at a Christian university.

“Engineers are the problem solvers of society,” Halsmer said.

“It is my hope that students are not only recognizing the high caliber of ORU’s engineering department, but also are valuing the space for Christian worldview in engineering.”

Campus organizations experience Jenks in recent city tour approached me wanting to strengthen the relationship between the City of Jenks and ORU students,” Neha Ghelani, CEO of SIFE said. “They were interested in showcasing their city so that the ORU community would know Photo by Jeanette DeRubeis what they have to offer.”

Students toured Jenks with city officials, receivSIFE, or Students in Free ing a behind-the-scenes look at attractions.

Enterprise, is a nonprofit

By Greg Brown international organization Oral Roberts University students where members use business skills to recently went on a free tour of Jenks, in help communities in a practical way. hopes of creating a better bond beAfter the group visited the Jenks tween the school and nearby city.

City Hall, where students were introThe City of Jenks hosted 25 student duced to the city’s history, as well as leaders from SIFE, the Student Assogiven a heads up as to its future, they ciation and the Missions Department, were given an in-depth look at the as they visited the City Hall, Oklahoma Oklahoma Aquarium that most patrons Aquarium and the Jenks Planetarium. do not receive.

“Two representatives from Jenks They were also given a behind-the-

scenes tour of the aqauarium.

“We got to see everything new, as well as a couple of things they had in mind for the future of the facility,” Ghelani said.

On top of seeing the ins and outs of both the City of Jenks and the Oklahoma Aquarium, students were given the opportunity to be a part of a historic moment in the city’s high school.

“We went to the planetarium in the Jenks High School, and we had the honor of premiering it...which is really cool that we were a part of this brand new thing,” Ghelani said.

The entire trip, including a dinner, was free for the ORU student leaders; it was paid for by independent sponsors, who hope to support the idea that ORU students become more interested in Jenks.

“The sponsors hope that the 25 student leaders that went on this trip

would talk about it to their various organizations, who would, in turn, talk about it to their floors,” Ghelani said.

“The plan is that interest would trickle down throughout the entire student body.”

The trip not only strengthened ties between Jenks and ORU, but it also brought unity between the various leadership groups from the university.

“This was the first time that the organizations have really partnered together like this,” Ghelani said. “It’s a great way to show our cooperation; that we are all together.”

The trip seemed to be a success, hinting at a future for ORU and the City of Jenks.

“We have already talked about having the various groups getting together again, and we are excited to see student involvement with Jenks, especially since it is so close to campus.”

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 5

Victory workers charged in sex scandal

By Amy Lecza Victory Christian Center has been at the center of Tulsa news for weeks following charges involving sexual crimes against minors and a two-week lapse in reporting the allegations to police.

Former church employees Chris Denman, 20, and Israel Shalom Castillo, 23, have been charged with sexual crimes against children. Denman is jailed on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl at the church, court records show.

Castillo was charged for making a lewd or indecent proposal to a child and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime.

On Sept. 23, Victory released a detailed timeline of the events and alleged crimes.

The timeline shows a two-week lapse from Aug. 16, the date that the alleged victim told youth interns about the alleged rape and Aug. 30, when Victory’s human resources director called 911 to report the alleged rape.

Senior Pastor Sharon Daugherty addressed the events in a statement during a Saturday night service Sept. 22.

“I want to personally say that if anybody here is aware of any child being neglected or abused, physically or sexually, that you should please inform the authorities immediately,” Daugherty said. “Our children are precious, and we owe them our full protection.”

According to the timeline released by the church, Sharon Daugherty learned of the incidents three days before any church employee attempted to contact police. Law enforcement did not officially become involved until almost a week after Sharon Daugherty was notified.

Five Victory staff members were suspended from employment in addition to being charged with failure to report child abuse. Among the employees charged were Daugherty’s son and daughter-in-law.

John Samuel Daugherty, 28, senior high youth pastor; Charica Dene Daugherty, 27, assistant senior high youth pastor; Anna George, 24, high school outreach program director; Paul Willemstein, 32, associate youth pas-

Photo by Sami Prichard

Two former Victory Christian Center employees are facing charges of sexual crimes against minors. Five other staff members were suspended from work and charged with failure to report child abuse. tor; and Harold Frank Sullivan, 73, the church’s human resources director, were jailed Sept. 17.

They posted bail and were released within hours of their arrests.

A lawsuit filed Sept. 21 on behalf of the 13-year-old alleged rape victim accuses Victory officials of a cover-up to avoid reporting the assault.

According to the suit, the alleged victim’s mother accuses the church of causing emotional distress and negligence in waiting two weeks to report allegations to the police.

According to the timeline provided by the church, the alleged rape took place Aug. 13 in a church stairwell during an evening service, but the alleged victim did not report it to youth interns until Aug. 16.

The interns immediately notified George, who then alerted Willemstein, church officials said.

George and Willemstein interviewed the girl and attempted to contact her grandmother, whom they thought was the girl’s legal guardian, according to the See VICTORY on page 7

6 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

ORU professionals say everyone has responsibility to report abuse

By Amy Lecza Experienced professionals at ORU say anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected has a legal obligation to report it to law enforcement.

ORU Graduate School of Education Professor Dr. Sherri Tapp said the difference between following the policies of an organization versus following the law directly is important.

“If the policy of an organization is in contradiction with the law, the policy won’t protect the organization,” Tapp said.

Tapp spent 15 years working for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) as a child welfare investigator and, eventually, the supervisor.

“I’ve been directly involved in or supervised over 10,000 cases,” she said.

Although she no longer works with DHS, she still does training sessions in

various forums to inform people of the laws for reporting child abuse or neglect.

“I’m always teaching and training on those kind of things,” she said. “I’ve traveled to tons of Christian and secular schools to train people so that we can avoid these things in the future and protect our children better.”

Hearing the allegations at Victory brought Tapp back to her days as a child welfare investigator.

“My first thought was that my heart just sank,” Tapp said. “Victory has an excellent reputation and I just think that whatever the event was that triggered this was really unfortunate and if we’re not prepared, it could be very difficult.”

After spending years in the social work field, Tapp became very familiar with the laws and regulations regarding child abuse and reporting sex crimes.

“The reporting law in Oklahoma See ABUSE on page 7

VICTORY, continued from page 6

ABUSE, continued from page 6

statement.

Willemstein then told the girl to go find her grandmother, who was at the church, and return with her, but neither party returned, church officials said.

On Aug. 22, five days later, the alleged victim returned to Victory.

According to the church statement, “George saw her and brought her to Willemstein, but the girl expressed reluctance for Willemstein or George to inform her family members.”

After she left, Willemstein called her grandmother on his own. According to the girl’s lawsuit, four staff members at Victory intimidated her and told her she was partially responsible for the alleged rape.

Also on Aug. 22, a girl from the church’s youth group shared with Charica Daugherty electronic messages, allegedly of a sexual manner, between another girl and Castillo. The messages were shown to Willemstein and John Daugherty.

The girl’s mother was informed of the messages that same night, and Willemstein told the mother that he would report Castillo, said the statement.

On Aug. 23, Willemstein told Sullivan about both alleged incidents.

On Aug. 24, Denman and Castillo were fired and Sullivan informed Sharon Daugherty of the incidents, telling the senior pastor that they were being reported.

Three days later, Sullivan called a police office for the first time and left the officer a voicemail, according to the statement.

On Aug. 30, Sullivan spoke directly with the officer who recommended Sullivan call 911 and report the crime, according to the statement.

Denman remains in jail with the bail set at $200,000. Castillo was released Sept. 21 after posting bail.

very simple,” said Tapp. “If anybody, a child, there’s no age restriction, anybody who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected, then you are obligated by law to call DHS. “ Tapp stressed the importance of knowing the law and following the proper protocol for reporting abuse, even if all the details aren’t clear.

“It would be better to report and find out a child is not being abused or neglected than to fail to report and find out,” she said. “Nobody is going to prosecute you for good faith reporting – that’s protected in the law. The law doesn’t state ‘report it to your boss.’ The law states, ‘report it to DHS.’” Michelle Taylor, a licensed professional counselor at ORU, has worked in the counseling center for 14 years and encounters the laws pertaining to reporting sex crimes often.

“Our professional ethics and the law requires that, as a counselor, if we become aware of or suspect that a minor child is in danger, we are required to report it,” said Taylor.

Taylor’s first practicum gave her first-hand experience working with children and the laws that come with such responsibility.

“When I was in grad school, my first practicum was with kids and I had to go through a background check just to do a practicum,” said Taylor. “Now, they have background checks to do childcare at church.”

Taylor and Tapp agree that organizations should work pre-emptively to set up emergency protocol.

“I would hope that if there’s a way for God to be glorified in all this, it would be going forward preventing this from happening again to the best of our ability,” Tapp said. “There are bad people out there who do bad things and I don’t know that we could prevent that, but we can certainly do what we can to be prepared.”

NEWS BRIEFS

One with the tigers A New York man jumped the fence surrounding the tiger exhibit Sept. 21 at the Bronx Zoo. David Villalobos jumped the fence so that he could “be one” with the tiger. The tiger attacked the man and dragged him around by his foot. Villablobos was sent to the Jacobi Medical Center for testing where he was recovering from bites, punctures and a broken arm and leg. The police of Bronx, N.Y., charged Villablobos with trespassing and criminal trespassing.

Attendant iPad snatcher A Nevada man who flew on a Horizon Air flight had his iPad stolen from him by a flight attendant. The man used the app Find My iPad and was able to discover the iPad in the Oregon home of flight attendant Wendy Ronelle Dye. She told authorities that she was going to return it to the airline so that they could give it back to the passenger, but her information had already been put in the iPad, including her husband’s birthday. Dye has been suspended from her job at Horizon Air, which is owned by Alaska Air.

Former TU President returns

Photo by Sami Prichard

The Gathering is a weeklong telethon dedicated to raising money for the Whole Person Scholarship.

The event takes place in the Baby Mabee Center and will continue Sept. 27-28 from 6-8 p.m.

The University of Tulsa former president is returning. After the firing of President Geoffrey Orsak, Emeritus Steadman Upham is taking his place as president again.

Uphman has agreed to stay as president of the university for up to two more years. The school has not said anything about a schedule for finding a new president.

FAITH

Outreach Big Team leader sophomore Austin Whitaker creates excitement for his outreach team, the Tulsa Dream Center.

Photo by Austin St. John

ORU Outreach lends a hand to Tulsa community

By Sarah Dinwiddie Time. College doesn’t give you much to spare. With the expectations of college, the sacrifice of your time is that much more valuable to others.

Every year, the ORU Outreach Department offers the student body ways to invest their time into service.

Students can choose from 20 different outreaches, with one going on every day of the week.

Don’t think your schedule fits? Some outreaches are in the afternoon or on weekends.

Habitat For Humanity outreach is at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays. Or students can spend time serving with the International Connection from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Mondays.

Taylor Ritlinger serves as a team leader for the Owen Park outreach.

Students share a meal with the homeless in conjunction with the Boiler Room, a small church plant of Believers Church, every Thursday at 6:45 p.m.

Ritlinger said she became involved with the program because she started serving dinner to the homeless this Dear Students,

Dear Students, Thank you for your generous Thank you chapel for your generous chapel offering to purchase offering to Bibles purchase Bibles for China’s for China’s poorest rural believers.May MayGod God poorest rural believers. bless andyou prosper abundantlyabundantly bless and prosper for you for providing the answer providing the answer to their fasting to their fasting and prayers! and prayers!

Dear Students,

For updates on VOCA, text “Bibles” to 22828.

Thank you for your generous chapel offering to purchase Bibles for China’s poorest rural believers. May God abundantly bless and prosper you for providing the answer to their fasting and prayers!

Jonathan Brooks,‘79,‘85 ’79, ’85 Jonathan Brooks, President President

For updates on VOCA text “Bibles” to 22828

8 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

summer.

“I fell in love with the people and found true joy in serving them,” Ritlinger said. “I wanted the same thing to happen through ORU Outreach.”

She said that the outreach provides students with an opporuntity to get offcampus and serve in Tulsa.

“ORU outreach is such a great program and really allows the students to get involved in the community,” Ritlinger said. “It breaks the bubble we live in here on campus and allows us to see all that’s out there.”

Ritlinger said that serving food and spending time with the homeless is a great way to show these people that they are valued.

“When you just listen to the stories of the people and show that you care, it makes a world of difference. Especially in a world where people don’t see themselves as valuable.”

Kristie Chute, a sophomore missions major, said students should not discount local missions when looking for opportunities to serve.

“People all the time are so quick to

want to go to Africa or some cool foreign nation.” Chute said. “If you truly have a heart to serve people, you should have no problem doing it in your own backyard as well.”

Chute said that thankfulness is behind her desire to reach out.

She’s leading another outreach new to ORU this year, the John 3:16 Outreach, on Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

John 3:16 is“...working with kids from underprivileged homes,” Chute said. “We’re doing a Bible study for them, and tutoring them if they need it.”

This particular outreach started through the past relation between ORU Outreach and John 3:16 Mission during Fall Outreach’s annual canned food drive Oct. 31. A total of 10 students at a time are allowed for this particular outreach.

Chute said service determines greatness in God’s kingdom -- including service in the local community.

“The Bible says that if any of you wants to be great and wants to be a leader, you have to humble yourself and be a servant to others.”

Green family purchases D.C. building for Bible museum Religion News Service A large-scale Bible museum will open in Washington, D.C., within four years, say planners who have been touring the world with portions of their collection.

Cary Summers, chief operating officer of The Museum of the Bible, a nonprofit umbrella group for the collection of the billionaire Green family of Oklahoma, said they considered Washington, Dallas and New York but decided the nation’s capital was the best location. The final name of the museum and its exact location have not been disclosed but planners hope to confirm a location later this summer.

Research they commissioned found that the general population was more willing to travel to the nation’s capital for a Bible-focused museum than the other two cities, Summers said.

“In reality, the population base within that eight-to-10 hour drive of D.C. represents half the U.S. or two-thirds and there’s a lot of Christians in that group,” he said in July.

Summers, who has been a consultant on the Creation Museum’s planned life-size Noah’s

Ark in Kentucky, said the Bible museum will charge admission. Although the museums of the Smithsonian Institution are free, he noted that the Newseum and the Spy Museum both charge admission and have been successful.

A sampling of the Bible museum’s offerings -from the collection of more than 40,000 artifacts -- have been displayed in the Passages Exhibit at the Vatican and in Oklahoma City and Atlanta and will soon appear in Charlotte, N.C. Summers said the exhibit recreates at 80 percent scale the chamber of London’s Westminster Abbey where the King James Version of the Bible was written.

A full-scale recreation is planned for the museum.

Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby and brother of ORU Board of Trustees Chairman Mart Green, said the museum will feature the history, contents and influence of the Bible but will leave it up to visitors to decide whether to believe the holy book.

“When we present the evidence, I think it’s going to be compelling for somebody to say, `Wow, this is a compelling book. I might want to consider what it has to say,’” he said.

RNS photo courtesy of Jim Oesch

The Green family closed a $50 million deal July 26 on a building two blocks from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to house a Bible museum.

Green family awards New England campus to Arizona university Religion News Service A for-profit, Christian university in Arizona has won one of the education world’s most sought-after prizes: a free, historic, freshly renovated campus in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts.

Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University plans to open an extension campus in Northfield, Mass., on a 217-acre site formerly owned by Northfield Mount Hermon School. The private secondary school sold the campus in 2009 to Hobby Lobby, a craft store

RNS photo courtesy of G. Jeffrey Macdonald

Jerry Pattengale was hired by the Green family to help find a new owner of a college campus in Northfield, Mass.

chain owned by ORU Board of Trustees Chairman Mart Green and his family. The Greens invested $5 million in upgrades with the intent to give it to a Christian institution.

“We hope this campus will provide a home for students to find their purpose in Christ and realize their full potential in life,” said Hobby Lobby President Steve Green in a statement Sept. 21. “We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historic campus and for this community.”

Grand Canyon University, whose president and CEO Brian Mueller built the for-profit University of Phoenix into a giant with 340,000 online students, is part of a movement to reinvigorate Christian higher education. Key to the effort is a for-profit model that relies heavily on tuitions from online students.

GCU has 7,000 traditional students on campus in Phoenix, plus another 40,000 online. The vision for Northfield is to host 4,800 residential students and 1,200 commuters. Mueller also envisions thousands of online students in the Northeast visiting the campus for concerts, sporting events and learning programs that last a few days or weeks.

“We like to make our online students feel that they are part of the campus,” Mueller said. “This will give

us a home base in the Northeast to help them better identify with Grand Canyon University.”

Founded in 1879 by legendary evangelist D.L. Moody, the Northfield campus attracted the Greens to the prospect of reviving Moody’s evangelical legacy in a region known for secular views and liberal politics. But giving away 43 buildings in bucolic New England proved surprisingly challenging.

Late last year, plans fell through to launch a new C.S. Lewis College in Northfield after fundraising efforts came up short. Owners solicited new proposals, first from hand-picked institutions, then a broader pool.

Controversy swelled as local activists and NMH alumni lobbied to keep the property from going to one top contender, Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. Activists argued Moody’s legacy is an inclusive one and opposed Liberty for teaching that gay relationships are immoral.

In coming months, the Greens will transfer the property to Scholarships for GCU Students, a nonprofit that will then lease it to GCU’s holding company, GCU Education. After four years as a GCU extension site, the Northfield institution will become an independent university owned by GCU Education, Mueller said. He said it might be named “Grand Canyon University, Northeast” or “Grand Canyon University, Moody Campus.”

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 9

We Remember...

the school. It was also decided that this Memorial Chapel become an annual service each year to recognize those who have passed away while doing ministry.

This newborn monument will be recognized as the Wall of Sacrifice.

“On the other side of prayer, death is swallowed up in victory,” Rutland said.

As he continued in his message, Rutland justified the human nature of grieving. In referring to various aspects of the Bible, he addressed every mourning person in the sanctuary that grieving for loss in our lives is OK. Rutland led the students and families in Communion, explaining how Jesus wanted a memorial, and in us receiving the body of Christ and His blood, we will remember Him always.

A video interview with Jaman Iseminger’s wife, Amanda, gave us a glimpse into the life of a woman in peace. She gracefully spoke with Rutland about her personal journey since the death of her Photo by Jeanette DeRubeis

Service commemorates lives of lost students Six deceased alumni honored in special chapel and dedication of wall

Photo by Jeanette DeRubeis

Top: The families of the deceased are honored in chapel. Bottom: Amanda Iseminger is presented with flowers in the memorial chapel service, held Wednesday, Sept. 19. Her late husband, Jaman, graduated in 2005 and was shot in the church he was pastoring in Indiana this summer. Other students commemorated were Austin Anderson, Garrett Coble, Stephen Luth, Luke Sheets and Alexis Brownlee.

By Madison McDaniel They filed in quietly. Instead of the usual buzz of shuffling feet and the uproar of conversations, there was only a hum of noise. As they made their way it was obvious that this chapel would not be like any other. On Sept. 19, the ORU student body, faculty and families joined together in the first ever Memorial Chapel service in commemoration of the six individuals with ties to the university who passed away in previous months.

These individuals include: Austin Anderson, Alexis Brownlee, Garrett Coble, Jaman Iseminger, Stephen Luth and Luke Sheets.

Dr. Mark Rutland patiently waited on stage as each student found their seat with every eye fixated on him. Unlike other chapel services, there was not a full worship team excitedly waiting for the 10-second countdown. Rutland introduced the chapel service and opened in prayer.

Following the prayer, ORU LIVE led us in a time of reflection and praise that was somber in comparison to the usual upbeat worship set. ORU alumnus Daniel Tsubota wrote one of the worship songs played “My Refuge,” and dedicated it to Brownlee. The line-up of songs were not focused on the mourning of those who left us this year, but rather appreciative of what God has done in each of our lives. With eyes closed and arms lifted, it appeared that the entire student body was taking this particular chapel service seriously and with the utmost respect.

After worship ended Rutland began his message. He shared the process in which the ORU administrators debated on whether or not to build a statue or a monument, maybe located off-campus.

Rutland said it was concluded in a meeting that the memorial should be about two things: “It should be first of all about prayer,” Rutland said. “This campus is built on prayer. And it should be about victory.”

In the end, it was decided that the monument be located on the other side of the praying hands at the entrance of

husband in May. A video of the dedictation of the Wall of Sacrifice, done earlier that morning, was shown and focused on the back where the six golden plaques lay across the hard stone.

Ding. A chime continuously rang throughout the room. A suited student read aloud the commemoration of every life that had brought us together that day.

Name. Birthdate. The day they went to be with the Lord. Ding. Five more names were read aloud, each one acknowledged by family members who stood and received a bouquet of flowers.

Dean Clarence Boyd joined the stage with Rutland and gave a prayer of dedication for the entire sanctuary to take a communion of remembrance.

After the final song and benediction, Rutland spoke the same words he does every service, “go out and change your world.” This time, the atmosphere of receiving this phrase was not solemn

Photo by Stephen Salmon

The families of the deceased are recognized in chapel. or taken with a grain of salt. It was taken with a tone of determination. It seemed the students not only took them for theirselves, but to give service to the Kingdom on behalf of our commemorated six and the Lord.

Six lives were celebrated Sept. 19. They will forever be remembered for their work of ministry and engraved upon our hearts as well as the Wall of Sacrifice. “...Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54.

“On the other side of prayer,

death is swallowed up in victory.”

-Dr. Mark Rutland

Photo by Sami Prichard

We Remember...

the school. It was also decided that this Memorial Chapel become an annual service each year to recognize those who have passed away while doing ministry.

This newborn monument will be recognized as the Wall of Sacrifice.

“On the other side of prayer, death is swallowed up in victory,” Rutland said.

As he continued in his message, Rutland justified the human nature of grieving. In referring to various aspects of the Bible, he addressed every mourning person in the sanctuary that grieving for loss in our lives is OK. Rutland led the students and families in Communion, explaining how Jesus wanted a memorial, and in us receiving the body of Christ and His blood, we will remember Him always.

A video interview with Jaman Iseminger’s wife, Amanda, gave us a glimpse into the life of a woman in peace. She gracefully spoke with Rutland about her personal journey since the death of her Photo by Jeanette DeRubeis

Service commemorates lives of lost students Six deceased alumni honored in special chapel and dedication of wall

Photo by Jeanette DeRubeis

Top: The families of the deceased are honored in chapel. Bottom: Amanda Iseminger is presented with flowers in the memorial chapel service, held Wednesday, Sept. 19. Her late husband, Jaman, graduated in 2005 and was shot in the church he was pastoring in Indiana this summer. Other students commemorated were Austin Anderson, Garrett Coble, Stephen Luth, Luke Sheets and Alexis Brownlee.

By Madison McDaniel They filed in quietly. Instead of the usual buzz of shuffling feet and the uproar of conversations, there was only a hum of noise. As they made their way it was obvious that this chapel would not be like any other. On Sept. 19, the ORU student body, faculty and families joined together in the first ever Memorial Chapel service in commemoration of the six individuals with ties to the university who passed away in previous months.

These individuals include: Austin Anderson, Alexis Brownlee, Garrett Coble, Jaman Iseminger, Stephen Luth and Luke Sheets.

Dr. Mark Rutland patiently waited on stage as each student found their seat with every eye fixated on him. Unlike other chapel services, there was not a full worship team excitedly waiting for the 10-second countdown. Rutland introduced the chapel service and opened in prayer.

Following the prayer, ORU LIVE led us in a time of reflection and praise that was somber in comparison to the usual upbeat worship set. ORU alumnus Daniel Tsubota wrote one of the worship songs played “My Refuge,” and dedicated it to Brownlee. The line-up of songs were not focused on the mourning of those who left us this year, but rather appreciative of what God has done in each of our lives. With eyes closed and arms lifted, it appeared that the entire student body was taking this particular chapel service seriously and with the utmost respect.

After worship ended Rutland began his message. He shared the process in which the ORU administrators debated on whether or not to build a statue or a monument, maybe located off-campus.

Rutland said it was concluded in a meeting that the memorial should be about two things: “It should be first of all about prayer,” Rutland said. “This campus is built on prayer. And it should be about victory.”

In the end, it was decided that the monument be located on the other side of the praying hands at the entrance of

husband in May. A video of the dedictation of the Wall of Sacrifice, done earlier that morning, was shown and focused on the back where the six golden plaques lay across the hard stone.

Ding. A chime continuously rang throughout the room. A suited student read aloud the commemoration of every life that had brought us together that day.

Name. Birthdate. The day they went to be with the Lord. Ding. Five more names were read aloud, each one acknowledged by family members who stood and received a bouquet of flowers.

Dean Clarence Boyd joined the stage with Rutland and gave a prayer of dedication for the entire sanctuary to take a communion of remembrance.

After the final song and benediction, Rutland spoke the same words he does every service, “go out and change your world.” This time, the atmosphere of receiving this phrase was not solemn

Photo by Stephen Salmon

The families of the deceased are recognized in chapel. or taken with a grain of salt. It was taken with a tone of determination. It seemed the students not only took them for theirselves, but to give service to the Kingdom on behalf of our commemorated six and the Lord.

Six lives were celebrated Sept. 19. They will forever be remembered for their work of ministry and engraved upon our hearts as well as the Wall of Sacrifice. “...Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54.

“On the other side of prayer,

death is swallowed up in victory.”

-Dr. Mark Rutland

Photo by Sami Prichard

Let’s do lunch: Oracle Edition

By Hannah Covington and Amy Lecza ORU is full of strange and wonderful people. Everyone has a story, from the person who empties the trash bins outside the GC to your next-door neighbor. My freshman year next-door neighbor liked to play the bongos in the middle of the night – there’s a story.

This is just a sampling of the five people we’d most like to sit down and have lunch with.

1. Ricky the security guard: We don’t know much about Ricky, but we do know that this fine gentleman is the voice at the other end of the line when you call Security at night. We’d love to sit down with Ricky and hear his stories about the more ridiculous things he’s seen and heard in the middle of the night while protecting our campus from intruders, upper lot couples and curfew breakers. An honorable mention goes to the waving security guard in upper lot.

A hearty salute to you, sir.

2. Saga cake magician: We have a scenario for you. You’re out of Sodexo.

Time to use up one of those seven meals a week that you pay thousands of dollars for each semester. Life feels like a stupid Daniel Powter song as you trudge up the stairs, spiting geese and smashing crickets along the way. Oh no, you think. Not pulled pork again. And just when you’ve resigned to consoling yourself with unholy amounts of Lucky Charms, you see her. The patron saint of sweets stands behind that oasis bar of desserts, offering you gooey butter cake and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. We love her hat and apron, her intuitive and thoughtful cake creations. Rumor has it she once owned and operated five cake shops. We know not how you sculpted the blue fur on your Cookie Monster cake using only Saga resources. But we, the masses, thank you.

3. Coach Bernice Duke: He will find you. He will shuffle over to your court, snatch your racket and senselessly

smash every shot you return – standing in the same spot. Sure, we’ve all seen Coach Duke as he mans the badminton courts, but can you imagine sitting down with him at Cracker Barrel or some other fine establishment for lunch? He’s the only person who can insult the grandparents of Australian students by calling them criminals and pigeonhole Russians, Asians and Indians as the best badminton players without offending anyone. Equal parts sassy and selfless, the man would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. Here’s a racquet-five to you, Coach.

4. Dr. Kay Meyers: This wonderful professor is a real gem. We admire her love of pop culture and affinity for neon socks paired with matching beads.

Over lunch, perhaps we could discuss “Parenthood” or the latest Will Smith release, a personal favorite actor of hers. Whatever the topic, her colorful and biting wit spices up even the most Christian of topics. Oh, and don’t worry about a large lunch bill. More likely than not, Dr. Meyers will bring her own Deli-purchased muffin in one of her many bags to whatever restaurant you end up in.

5. Overnight Towers desk sitter: Unlike SOME desk sitters, this wonderful woman will actually open the door for you if you’re rushing in at 1:29 a.m. with 48 Wal-Mart bags, a laundry basket, a backpack and two handbags.

This woman should be sainted because every night she gets to watch the tearful, emotional farewell between couples when they’re forced to separate for four hours between curfews. Popular departures: the shameless make-out (as if one or both parties is departing for war), the couple who won’t leave their dark corner of the Fishbowl until an RA has to physically pry them apart and, of course, the couple who insists on locking themselves in a tender embrace directly in front of the doors.

12 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

SPORTS

Photo by Stephen Salmon

Senior Tatum Fredeen spikes the ball against Nicholls State University. The Golden Eagles have turned their losing streak around and are now 6-9.

Women’s volleyball turning season around

By David Sauer ORU’s Golden Eagle volleyball team started the season right with a couple of easy wins. After that, however, the team went 2-9, posting 7 losses in a row. Despite the rough stretch, the team is turning its season around and is finally becoming the team it was expected to be. ORU took two fairly easy matches at home, defeating Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State.

One reason for the early season losses is ORU is playing in the Southland Conference for the first time.

Team captain and setter Laura Taylor said this transition has taken some big adjustments.

“I think part of the struggle that we’re having is because we haven’t seen these teams before, so it’s just hard to know what to do,” Taylor said.

Upcoming Home Games

However, both of the last two matches were against Southland Conference opponents, and ORU showed it can win.

The Golden Eagles looked much better Sept. 20 in front of their home crowd as they defeated Southeastern Louisiana three sets to one. The win snapped their seven-game losing streak and set the team back on track.

ORU split a very close first two sets before taking control of the match and easily winning the last two. After the game, head coach Sheera Sirola said the team improved on passing and hitting from previous matches.

“We have…great digs coming back to our side of the court for the setter to have the offense the way she wants it,” Sirola said. “I think overall we executed the game plan we had for tonight.”

Last Saturday, ORU won a very easy 3-set match against Nicholls State.

Winning by a combined 35 points including a 25-7 second set win, ORU dominated the stat sheet, gathering 43 kills and 54 digs. The win puts ORU at 6-9 for the season.

Taylor felt the team appeared very relaxed and was in total control throughout the entire match.

“It’s always easy when we communicate well and just play together as a team. So it was pretty easy and fun and we played more relaxed,” Taylor said.

She added that these two games have been a “360 from last week.”

The Golden Eagles have two road matches before returning home in October.

Taylor said the team expects to win these road matches.

“[The win] definitely boosts our confidence,” she said. “I think we just need to keep playing like this and we’ll be great.”

Both Taylor and Coach Sirola said the team’s mood is positive. Sirola also said they felt like “the monkey [got] off our backs.”

Taylor said that now that the team’s losing streak is broken, ORU is capable of making the NCAA tournament.

“When everybody plays [their roles] the way that they need to play them, our team will be amazing,” Taylor said.

Sirola agrees.

“If we’re going to be playing the way we just played… I definitely [feel] comfortable we’re going to be in a conference tournament, and once there you never know what’s going to happen.”

ORU v. Lamar Thurs., Oct. 4 AC, 7 p.m.

ORU v. McNeese State Sat., Oct. 6 AC, 3 p.m.

ORU v. Central Ark. Thurs., Oct. 23 AC, 7 p.m.

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 13

Lauren Parks has been playing soccer since the age of 6.

Courtesy Photo

Senior center back Parks exceeds expectations

By Amber Scott Go back to the years when your best friends were your next-door neighbors and the block was your creative domain, your kingdom — or in this case, your arena. This was a time when rushing the field after a national championship wasn’t so far-fetched.

Most of us grew out of our childhood fantasies, but some pursued them and found greatness.

Lauren Parks, a senior varsity member of the ORU women’s soccer team, began her journey in the sports world at age 6. This world greeted

her with her best friends at her side, the fresh outdoor air and a soccer ball.

“Initially, just playing outside and kicking the ball around with my friends was enough to make soccer fun for me,” said Parks. “This time spent together opened a door for me to develop a passion for the game.”

Growing up in Edmond, Okla., Parks further developed her love for soccer in her opportunity to play in a high-caliber club team. This team traveled 4-6 times a year all over the United States, preparing its athletes,

14 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

including Parks, for the crazy schedule of college soccer.

One of Parks’ pivotal moments as an athlete occurred during one of these club tournaments.

“The moment when I realized that this is what I wanted to do with my life was around the time that I turned thirteen,” said Parks.

“My club team had just made it to the national tournament championship in Orlando, Fla. I knew then that I really could continue this journey even after high school had come and gone.”

Jimmy Houston is the man

who inspired and fueled Parks’ college career. As her coach from ages 11 to 17, Houston not only trained her to be an outstanding soccer player, but he believed in her.

Parks said two other people in her life have stood by her no matter what her dream was: her parents.

“My parents helped me get through soccer when it was expensive in high school, they were at every game, they have always been super encouraging and have supported me through every step of this journey,” said Parks.

Fifteen years after 6-yearold Parks fell in love with the game, she continues her passionate journey in a sport that she loves just as much now as then. With three seasons of college soccer now under her belt, Parks is currently in her fourth and final season as an athlete at ORU. Parks specializes as a center back. A center back is the center of the back line of defense. In other words, Parks is the last person an opponent sees before they ever get a chance at the goalkeeper.

“Just being there, knowing that’s my job and doing anything that I can do to impact my team is worth it,” said Parks. “Even if I don’t get to score the goals, I can keep them from going in.

“It’s a feeling of personal gratification knowing that I did something for my team.”

Though she values her role as a center back, Park said she realizes that it’s not one of the more well-known or flashy positions.

“Maybe the crowd doesn’t notice, but I notice and my teammates notice,” Parks said.

“We are all in this as a team, and anything I can do to help my team win, I’ll do it.”

Looking back on her

already extensive career, Parks identified the highlight of her career as a rather recent feat.

In one of their wins this season, the ORU Lady Eagles went head-to-head against in-state rival the University of Oklahoma. ORU had lost this match-up the last eight years, but this was Parks’ senior year.

She and the rest of the team were ready for a victory.

And they got it. The team grounded out a 1-0 win.

“It was a great moment for us. We wanted it so bad, and we wanted to prove that we could play against these teams,” said Parks.

“This also being the last time I would get to play them, I was really excited that we won.”

It’s safe to say that Parks loves her team, her coaches, and her sport. She looks forward to working for the conference championship with her teammates by her side. She is also excited to be playing one final season under such a strong and unifying leader like women’s soccer head coach Ryan Bush.

As a Christian first and an athlete second, Parks said she strives to be a strong Christian athlete in today’s culture.

She knows that as a soccer player, scores of fans and fellow plays may look up to her. She said she tries to keep in mind that these people may be watching her on and off the field.

As a Christian player, she has influence in both worlds.

“In the sports world and athletic realm, a lot of people look up to you for being an athlete in a sport that may be of interest to them,” Parks said.

“You can be good at sports, you can be a great Christian and you can use sports as a light to other people who may not know Christ.”

Our best bets for MLB playoff race

By Billy Burke We all remember last year when, on the last night of the regular season, two teams rose, and two teams fell.

Each side witnessed a dramatic collapse and a miracle finish.

This year the National League’s divisions are signed, sealed and delivered. On the American League side, some divisions are still up for grabs — except AL West — and the wild card’s extra slots are bound to cause a meat grinder. This will be a great weekend for baseball. So who will be left standing when the curtains close and October begins?

AL East: New York Yankees Despite questions about their rotation and injuries to Teixeira and A-Rod in the past month, the Yanks still hold a slim lead over the Orioles in the East.

However, they also play 7 of their last 9 games against the Jays and the Twins.

But, their last three are versus— Spoiler Alert? — the Red Sox.

AL Central: Detroit Tigers Despite not having that much bounce in their tails this September, the Tigers are a stone’s throw away from winning the Central. This is mostly due to the White Sox falling in two straight series.

But with Miguel Cabrera looking like a Triple Crown winner and Verlander hurling darts of fire, the odds are looking somewhat in their favor.

AL Wild Card #1 Baltimore Orioles Yes, the O’s have looked like the best — or luckiest — team in baseball.

Their rotation has seemed clutch, their bullpen suffocating and Adam Jones their entire offense. In reality, however, Buck Showalter is the man behind the Wizard on this team. The man has shown an uncanny brilliance in the

dugout and should be up for manager of the year. Cameron Yards could be singing come October.

AL Wild Card #2 Tampa Bay Rays The Rays have a reputation of getting ice in their veins in September. They are coming off a sweep of the Jays and are looking like a team in sync on offense for the first time this year. Oh, and their pitching just set the all-time AL record with 1,267 strikeouts this year. Although they need the Athletics and the O’s to lose, the A’s play 7 of 10 against Texas and the last three games against Baltimore. In Tampa. #162strong.

NL Wild Card #1 Atlanta Unlike the Red Sox, the Braves have more than made up for last year’s implosion by “Chipping” away at the competition. As Chipper Jones takes his final season tour, the Braves seem to have rallied around him. But the story for the Braves has been Kris Medlen. In 38 innings he has an unearthly 0.71 ERA/ WHIP, and Atlanta has won in the last 11 games he has pitched in. Chip’s swan song might be Atlanta’s run at history.

SPORTS BRIEFS:

Women’s soccer wins in OT against Creighton

Men’s Soccer: • Fri, Sept. 28: IPFW at Fort Wayne, Ind., 6 p.m.

• Sun, Sept. 30: Evansville at Evansville, Ind., 2 p.m.

• Sat, Oct. 6: UMKC at Kansas City, Mo., 7 p.m.

• Sat, Oct. 13: IUPUI - Case Soccer Complex, 7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: • Sun, Sept. 23: Creighton at Omaha, Neb., 1 p.m.

• Sun, Sept. 30: Stephen F. Austin at Nacogdoches, Texas, 1 p.m.

• Fri, Oct. 5: Northwestern State (La.), Case Soccer Complex, 7 p.m.

• Sun., Oct. 7: Sam Houston State, Case Soccer Complex, 1 p.m.

• Fri., Oct. 12: McNeese State at Lake Charles, La., 7 p.m.

• Sun., Oct. 14: Nicholls State at Thibodaux, La., 1 p.m.

NL Wild Card #2 St. Louis Albert who? Despite losing the Machine, the Cardinals just won’t fall out of contention. But with a lineup of Holiday, a rejuvenated Beltran, Molina and the underrated Craig each clicking on all cylinders, they still have a machine of a team.

Plus with curveballer Wainwright pitching well, Lohse proving that last year was no goof. Oh, and remember Chris Carpenter? He came back from shoulder surgery Friday and threw 5 innings while only allowing 2 and sitting 7 down. They are the champs.

Show them some respect.

ORU baseball shines in offseason

Oral Roberts University baseball pitchers Drew Bowen and Alex Gonzalez return to campus this week after leading their summer team, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, to the final series of the 2012 Cape Cod Baseball League. Although they would go on to drop 2 of the 3 games in the championship, both pitchers were dominant from the mound. Gonzalez was 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 12.2 innings of work to go along with 19 K’s. Bowen was 3-2 and pitched 14.1 innings with a 3.21 ERA.

Oral Roberts University women’s soccer gutted out a clutch victory against Creighton in double OT to move to 6-3-2. Mary-Kate Halsmer earned the badge of honor for this game when she racked a 15-yard goal with 2:49 left in double OT. The Golden Eagles have now moved to five consecutive matches without a loss, the longest such streak since the 2004 season.

Men’s soccer drops Summit League home opener The Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles (1-7, 0-1) have been in a tailspin in the past few weeks.

Sunday that trend continued as the Eagles were stomped in home opener for Summit League Conference play. The Oakland Grizzles (4-3, 1-0) handed the Eagles a 5-0 loss that shows ORU that they will need to turn things around quickly if they want to compete for a conference title.

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 15

SCENE

Five Guys Burgers and Fries comes to Tulsa

By Jessica Sherwood Some days all I want out of life is a good, old-fashioned, American style cheeseburger. If this has happened to you, Five Guys Burgers and Fries is the place to go.

Five Guys made their debut in Tulsa on Sept. 3.

Located conveniently at 9635 Riverside Parkway near the turnpike, Five Guys will not be short of business. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There is also the option to order food online.

Five Guys offers excellent food in a casual

dining atmosphere. The friendly “hello” from the employees made me feel welcome as I walked into the restaurant. Bags of potatoes help form a line that leads up to the ordering counter. Customers are welcome to help themselves to boxes of peanuts on top of a stack of potato bags. Peanut shells cover the floor.

The walls follow a red and white color theme with plaques mounted everywhere boasting the chain’s previous success’ such as: Best Cheeseburger by “435 South Magazine” in Kansas 2010, Best

Homemade pizza How-to

By Francesca Lucido In Italian families, dinner is more than just an injurious caloric ingestion. The American perception of authentic Italian food consists of Olive Garden. To clarify, Olive Garden was not the initiator of the “all you can eat soup and breadsticks.”

Perhaps they capitalized on the “soup” concept to meet the needs of the few health conscious people in society, but, overall, Italian dinners can truly last hours with a never-ending supply of food.

Dinner is realistically about a family spending time together. This rationalizes why the boundless supply of food is available at any given Italian’s house in the upper Midwest and East Coast each and every Sunday evening. Pizza is a traditional Italian meal that is sure to bring a smile to everyone at the table, and with this recipe, you can enjoy this dish in the dorms.

16 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

Fries by Colorado Gazette 2009 and Number One Burger for Lunch in NYC by “Time Out New York” 2008. Five Guys, which began in 1986 outside Washington, D.C., now has more than 1,000 locations across 47 states and in Canada.

There are now five outlets in Oklahoma.

The items on the menu vary in price from regular french fries at $2.99 to a bacon cheeseburger at $6.89. The low prices even include free toppings such as grilled onions, mushrooms and green peppers.

Although most people would assume burgerjoint fries to be covered in layers of grease, Five Guys proudly offers a different solution. I enjoyed my fries cooked to perfection in Five Guys low cholesterol, tasty peanut oil. In addition to offering a healthy solution to french fries, Five Guys keeps life simple by packaging their burgers to go. Within several minutes of ordering, I received my meal in a brown paper bag.

All of Five Guys fries come in a handy cup.

Despite the restaurant’s

Pizza Dough

Yields: 1 large pizza

Ingredients: • (1 package) instant dry active yeast • 1 cup warm water • ½ tablespoon sugar • 3 cups bread flour • 2 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed • 1 ½ teaspoon salt

Preparation: 1. Add the water, yeast, sugar and a ½ cup of flour into a large mixing bowl. Stir well let sit for 25 minutes. The mixture will get bubbly.

2. Add olive oil, salt and 2 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon until it is ready to knead.

3. Knead for 10 minutes, while adding flour a little bit at a time. The dough will be sticky.

4. Form the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl.

Drizzle olive oil over the top of the dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm spot for 2 hours. The dough will almost double in size. *Dough may be refrigerated overnight. Store in a zip lock bag.

name, Five Guys also provides grilled cheese sandwiches, veggies sandwiches and hot dogs.

Junior Marie Baker enjoyed her experience at the restaurant.

“Five Guys was delicious. It was a friendly environment, and the burger was so yummy,” Baker said.

If you are craving true American food, don’t hesitate to stop by Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Money and time can’t hold you back this time, because Five Guys will have you out the door with your $5.39 hamburger in a brown paper bag.

‘SHER’ BETS Not familiar with Five Guys’ menu choices?

Scene editor Jessica Sherwood recommends these choices:

•Entrée: Cheeseburger ($5.99) •Side: Five Guys Style regular fries ($2.99) •Drink: Your choice!

Pizza Sauce • 1 can of crushed tomatoes (San Marzano crushed tomatoes) • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped • ½ tablespoon sugar • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed • ½ tablespoon dried basil • 1 small onion, finely chopped • ¼ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes • Pinch of salt and pepper Preparation: 1. In a large pot add the onions and garlic and sauté until light golden brown.

2. Add the tomatoes, sugar and olive oil into the onion and garlic pot. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir occasionally until the sauce thickens.

Assembling the pizza: Place the dough on a floured countertop. Flatten the dough with your hands. Keep stretching and pressing down on the dough until it meets the desired size. Try to make the dough even throughout the entire pizza. Place the pizza onto an oiled, nonstick baking sheet. Start by covering the dough with a thin layer of sauce. Continue by adding desired toppings. Bake at 475 for 20-25 minutes. (Check continuously if using the ORU kitchen ovens.) The cheese will start to bubble, and the crust will turn a light golden brown.

Theater department welcomes new teacher

By Chelsey Butler ORU faculty seeks to develop God given dreams while maturing critical thinking. One new teacher who strives to instill these habits in her students is Dafne Basave.

Dafne Basave was born and raised in Guadalajara. Secondary education is what brought her to the U.S., which lead to her attendance and graduation from ORU. Basave then attended the University of Houston and earned her MFA. She worked two years at the Houston Grand Opera before working with ORU’s theatre department.

If there is one thing Basave takes seriously, it is her job as a teacher.

“I consider teaching a great privilege to influence the next generation in the best way I can,” said Basave. “I enjoy teaching at ORU simply because of the liberty that we have of sharing not only knowledge, but also to sharing the gospel and learning from one another.”

Though this is Basave’s first year teaching full time, she spent time teaching at the University of Houston while earning her MFA there. She taught Costume Technology, a basic sewing course, along with Makeup for Actors.

“I love watching what students come up with creatively,” said Basave. “Students come up with the most creative ideas of how to implement makeup.”

Courses Basave teaches/will be teaching are: Intro to Technical Production, Fundamentals of Acting, Costume Makeup spring 2013 and Costume Design in Fall 2013.

Basave places a high priority on investing in her students for a lifetime.

“My long-term goal for each semester would be for the students to learn everything that I could place into themnot necessarily to absorb everything, but to analyze,” said Basave. “I want my students to think for themselves... not receive information and think of it as right, but rather make questions and analyze and criticize. I want to make them critical in a good way.”

Though Basave enjoys teaching, she dreams of a bigger project that will impact an even larger group of people.

Something “not only entertaining, but would also be reaching souls.”

“I would love to develop a program where artists of any type can use their talents for missions,” said Basave. “I would like to see artists come together to develop a program that is not only powerful, but professional.”

Above all else, Basave hopes to

“PICNIC” DEBUTS

The ORU theater department will debut this weekend with “Picnic,” by William Inge. Performances will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. The show will be held in Howard Auditorium Seating will be general admission.

Tickets: Adults $10 Students $5 Cash only at the door impart her knowledge from her time at ORU onto her students.

“When I was here as a student, I learned the difference between having a dream that God was a part of and a dream given by God,” Basave said.

Bassnectar, Bieber, Grouplove and more visit Tulsa

By Chelsey Butler Tulsa has many venues which offer different concerts. Each of the different locales host many artists and acts with the same variety in cost of attendence.

The BOK Center in downtown Tulsa features many big names in musical entertainment today.

Journey will be playing Oct. 10, with tickets starting at $51.50. Bassnectar will be there the following night, Oct. 11, with tickets $33 in advance and $38 at the door. Bob Dylan and special guest Mark Knopfler are coming Nov. 2. Tickets start at $45.

Carrie Underwood will also be at the BOK Nov. 21 for her Blown Away tour. Hunter Hayes will be a special guest, best known for his song “Wanted.” Tickets start at $46. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to Red Cross disaster relief.

Another concert worth investing in now, before tickets sell out, would be Justin Bieber’s concert on Jan. 9. Tickets start at $39.50.

For less expensive venues, Cain’s Ballroom offers smaller concerts at a cheaper price. Grouplove will be in town on Oct. 9, with tickets $23 day of. 3OH!3 will form there Oct.13, tickets being $29 at the door.

Andy Grammar, known for his songs such as “Keep Your Head Up” and “Fine By Me,” will perform Oct

Bassnectar, left, and Grouplove, right, will be performing in Tulsa in October.

15. Tickets are set at $23. Blue October will be there Oct. 17, with tickets set at $29.

The Brady Theater might not be the most popular venue in town, but they often host well-known acts. Norah Jones will be performing Tuesday, Oct. 16. The price for this show starts at $48.50. On Nov. 1, number 1 Billboard artist, Joe Bonamassa, will also be at the Brady Theater. Tickets for this

Internet Photos

begin at $49.

At the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 27, Todd Agnew and Jason Gray will hold a night of worship. Tickets are not yet on sale.

These are just a few of the performances coming to Tulsa. The concert halls in Tulsa are never in short supply of performers, so keep your eye out for good shows.

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 17

Tulsa theaters bring culture to the area

By Meghan Drake Tulsa boasts a rich artistic environment and within that are numerous different theatres that dot the city.

Theatrical stage perfomance is a true test of talent that does not require the filters and effects of a computer software. So go out and enjoy what they have to offer.

Tulsa Project Theater group is beginning its first season in the Assembly Hall at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Their seven-month season will kick off with a “time warp.”

The Rocky Horror Show is Richard O’Brien’s classic adventure that follows Brad Major and his fiancée, Janet Wiess. Let’s just say, it is intensely crazy.

Performances are Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 5-6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $22-$32. Call 918-894-4350 for more information or visit their website at tulsaprojecttheater.com.

Theatre Tulsa is the seventh-longest running community theater in the U.S..

It focuses on community spirit and encourages all ages to participate in drama. Their productions are primarily performed in the Liddy Doenges Theatre in the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $12-$16.

Visit their website at theatretulsa.org for more information.

Starting Oct. 26 and ending Nov. 3 they’ll be showing “Hamlet.” It is Shakespeare’s epic tragedy which explores Prince Hamlet’s maddening search for revenge.

“Tuesdays with Morrie” will be performed Jan. 10-13. Originally a best-selling novel, Mitch Albom’s story encourages holding every day and relationship precious.

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse is a nonprofit organization committed to providing entertainment to the community solely through volunteer work. The playhouse is located at 1800 S. Main St. in Broken Arrow. Tickets range from $8-$15. For more information, visit their website at bacptheatre. com or call 918-258-0077.

Internet Photo Tulsa Performing Arts Center is one of places dedicated to offering culture to the community.

7:30 p.m.

In “Oliver!” Charles Dickens classic Tulsa, and the perfect eerie production Nightingale Theater is a nonprofit young man comes alive in this rendition to usher in the Halloween season. It of his quest to find familial love. Perfor- facility located at 1416 E. 4th St. It opens in Chapman Music Hall at the mances are Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, houses independent writers, actors and PAC on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m., with addidesigners. Encouraging the depths 15 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 2, 9, 16 at 2 p.m. tional showings at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on “The White Liars” and “Black Com- of artistic scope, Nightingale Theater the 27th. Tickets range from $20-$95. caters to the ambiguous and raw type edy” are both one-act plays by Peter Based off the 1935 Hitchcock of performances. Visit their website at Shaffer’s that follow Sophie Lemberg. comedic thriller, “The 39 Steps,” focuses She’s a fortune teller who believes she is nightingaletheater.com. on a secret society who hunts down a “Warm, Delicious Play” is a play by a baroness of the Holy Roman Empire. man connected to a spy’s murder. A cast John Cruncleton III. It creates a happy Performances are: Oct. 12-21. of 4 acts out over 150 unique characters. confusement, while telling the story of Tulsa Spotlight Theater is a small It opens Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. with addigroup of performers who began playing a witch in search of her daughter. It will tional showings at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. be playing Sept. 28-29; Oct. 5-6 and “The Drunkard and the Olio” in 1953. on the 3rd. Tickets range from $30-$40.

12-13 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and It has graced the stage every Saturday The stage adaptation of the classic preferred payment is in cash or check. night since then. It is located at 1381 Disney movie “Mary Poppins” proves Tulsa Performing Arts Center Riverside Drive. Make reservations to be just as charming as the movie. is perhaps known as the big man in early in the week by calling 918-587Performances are Nov. 13-18. Tickets Tulsa’s theater scene. The PAC is the 5030. They only take Visa or Mastergo on sale Oct. 15. place where you find more well-known card as form of payment. Visit their Remember the epic holiday movie, website at spotlighttheater.org for more Broadway shows. It also houses per“A Christmas Story?” The obsessed Red formances that range from seminars to information.

Rider BB gun boy and his adorable small productions. It is located downA beloved American temperance story are now on stage. Tickets go on town at 110 E. Second St. Visit their play, “The Drunkard and the Olio,” was sale Oct. 24. Performances are Nov. 28website tulsapac.com or call 918-596first performed in 1844. The Olio that 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 1-2 at 2 p.m.

7122 for more information. follows is a collection of poems, songs, and 7 p.m.

“Dracula” is a recurring favorite in epigrams etc. It plays every Saturday at

18 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

MUSE

Subjectively Objective: A Screaming Problem

By Nathan Porter

From the videos we create, to the blogs we post, to the words we spew, in our eyes, we’re all masters of Over the past expression. few weeks, I’ve The one problem that seems to noticed myself arise as a result of this increased developing a bad expression, however, is a decrease in habit. I’ll start genuinely noticing what has been to read an article expressed. Whether through the 130 but neglect to finish it. I know it’s a characters we engrave in Twitter, the weird thing to feel bad about, but I photos we market on Instagram, or do. The writers of these articles put the clothes we display on our bodies, effort into creating an interesting we’ve all placed so much emphasis on story; the least I can do is read all the power of expression that it has that they have written. But often I don’t. I’ll skim through the beginning subtly suppressed the power of listening. It seems and unless we’re becoming the content We’ve all placed so much a generation that is strikingly loves to talk, yet entertaining emphasis on the power neglects to listen. or extremely of expression that it has The act of listenrelevant subtly suppressed the ing is something information, we have grown I’ll move on to power of listening. to endure, not the next item cherish. of the day.

Although expression in itself is I assume by now you can see the not dangerous, it appears clear that irony in my problem. I struggle to the words our lives once uttered in complete articles other journalists have written because they don’t seem elegant expression have now risen to belligerent shrieks. beneficial, yet at this very moment Society is no longer content with I’m writing an article with the hope merely expressing opinions—we must that it might somehow be beneficial scream them. to you the reader.

Sadly, these screams are becoming Please excuse my hypocrisy. unavoidable. I turn on the news and Furthermore, I feel compelled watch Libyan protesters scream in to thank you for taking the time to anger and violence, and then I turn to actually read the last 156 words of another station and watch Republithis article, and I hope that the next 437 words will be worth the time you cans and Democrats scream in contradicting harmony. spend reading them.

Children scream about their parBut beyond my gratitude and ents, parents scream about their jobs, hidden in my hypocrisy, there lies a businesses scream about the governsimple observation. That is, it now seems that we desire more to inform, ment, and the government screams about everything. than to be informed.

But what’s the end result of it all?

With the current age of informaSome believe screaming will tion at its peak, the thrill of learning frighten the opposition to action; from the influx of information has while others believe screaming will been replaced by our ability to conprovoke the opposition to listen. Ultitribute to it.

mately, neither is achieved.

A society that only knows how to yell doesn’t breed a harmonious symphony of like-minded listeners, but rather a cacophonic dirge of deaf radicals.

I am not advocating for us as a society to become mute. With problems as big as the ones we currently face, silence can become a lot more awkward than golden. There is certainly a plethora of truth buried beneath our

screams.

However, amid the whirlwind of opposition, the earthquake of disagreement, and the lightning of controversy, I do advocate that we take heed and utilize the still small voice, gently demanding to speak.

I don’t confess to knowing what that voice will say. But I can assure you, there is no need to scream back for an answer.

Simply listen.

“

”

Submit your 100- to 300-word story to yearbook@oru.edu, and it could be published in the 2012-2013 Perihelion Yearbook!

Next Deadline Day is: Friday, October 26

Visit our facebook page for helpful tips and updates on the contest.

918 . 495 . 7080 yearbook@oru.edu

THE ORACLE • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • 19

Photo by McKensie Garber

About 500 people, including many ORU students and members of the Social justice Society, participated in the 5K to benefit SCTN, held Sept. 22 in Jenks.

Event raises awareness about child trafficking

By McKensie Garber Seven years ago, typical suburban couple Jason and Kristin Weis were lying comfortably in bed at their home in Denver, Colorado when the Channel 9 News came on and their lives were changed forever.

The news story was about a 3-year-old who was being sexually abused by her father.

The father was putting this on the Internet for thousands to see.

“This was the fist-clinching moment,” Jason said, “We knew we needed to do something about this.”

Before leaping straight into this demonic battle, the couple knew they needed to get spiritually prepared. Flo Shannon, a Denver prayer minister and a graduate of Tulsa’s Victory Bible Institute, recommended to Kristin that they go to Tulsa’s VBI to spiritually equip themselves. When Kristin told her husband they needed to move to Tulsa to attend VBI, Jason laughed.

“I loved my life, my friends, and my house in Colorado.

I was successful in business,” Jason said.

Eventually several factors fell into place. The housing market was doing well, and the family relocated to Jenks, Oklahoma. They then met Lynette Lewis, an ORU graduate and Board of Trustees member, who is the president and founder of “Stop Child Trafficking Now.” After this divine meeting, the Weis couple became the Tulsa ambassadors for the “Stop Child Trafficking Now” organization in 2008.

Ever since, they have been hard at work raising funds and awareness about this criminal market that goes on all around us. This past weekend, Jason and Kristin held the “Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk/5K Run” at Jenks River Crossing with a turnout of around 500 people.

Many of the ORU students and members of the Social Justice Society were there to participate in the activities or

20 • Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 • THE ORACLE

serve as volunteers. The ORU Social Justice Society has had a four-year relationship with the SCTN organization. Jason Weis met with the Social Justice Society to share his mission and vision.

“We are very excited to work with this organization,” said Jehoshaphat Sells, the Social Justice Society President.

The ORU Social Justice Society actually used to go by the name of “Human Trafficking,” before changing to its current name. The Society focuses on the verse Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” They have partnered with many other organizations such as Invisible Children and Voice of the Martyrs.

While raising awareness for their cause, Jason and Kristen have even intercepted into the horror themselves “We learned a lot about legislation and education, but it was the action part that got us excited,” Jason shared. “It’s

about being proactive and not reactive. We don’t want to just tell about this, we want to do something about it.”

Jason works closely with law enforcement on the local, state and federal levels. He was trained by Homeland Security and the military and is part of a strong team that enters chat rooms to catch predators in action. This cyber team has teamed up with SCTN, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and speaks daily with Tulsa law enforcement. They currently have 30 cases under investigation with over 1,000 predator profiles.

Jason was featured on Fox 23 in June, while investigating chat rooms to show the prevalence of men seeking children online. Footage was captured of Jason posing as a 14-year-old girl in online chat rooms. Within 30 seconds a man had contacted him, and in 45 minutes he was chatting with 22 predators.

The primary focus of the

SCTN organization is to stop the demand.

“Statistically we will save more children by getting the predators. So many organizations buy the children off the streets to save them, but this is actually supporting the market,” Jason said.

When people think about child sex trafficking, they usually think it’s only an issue overseas, but the U. S. Justice Department estimates that “close to 300,000 American youth are currently at risk for becoming victims of commercial sexual exploitation.”

“So many people cheer, but don’t get involved,” Jason said.

“We will continue to go until we get people to say yes. I’ve seen the crime scene photos and footage. I’ve crossed the battle lines. I’ve heard the cries. You can’t just sit at the sidelines.”

Kristin Weis seemed to sum up their passion and purpose for this cause when she said, “It’s getting a movement moving and getting involved.”