Veterans Day: Honoring the Bravery and Courage of Our Heroes

Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 11, 2024- In honor of America's veterans, Oral Roberts University (ORU) will be hosting its annual Veterans Day ceremony in the Veterans Lounge, recognizing our student veterans and all service members who have served our country. This ceremony begins at 11:00 am and is open to visitors. Last week, in coordination with the Development and Alumni Office, ORU held its annual Veterans Experience Connect Program. This was an opportunity to connect with student veterans and their family members and to honor those who have chosen to serve in the military.

"As we honor America's veterans, we recognize that the journey from military service to academic achievement requires extraordinary resilience and courage," said Dr. William M. Wilson, President of ORU. "Our student veterans bring a spirit of service and sacrifice that enriches our campus community. Through programs like the Veterans Experience Connect, we are committed to supporting and celebrating these remarkable individuals and their families, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to thrive both in their studies and beyond."

"It is only proper to pause and reflect on the service of all veterans this Veterans Day," said Will Beck, ORU Director of Veterans Experience. "As I have grown older, my thoughts and feelings about Veterans Day have certainly changed. I often start with the verse in Isaiah 'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"' (Isaiah 6:8). Those that commit to a life of selfless service are my heroes."

Reflecting further, Beck shared, "Made famous in the Band of Brothers series 20 years ago, First Sergeant Buck Compton shares a story in which his grandson asks, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa says, 'No... but I served in a company of heroes.' I feel an unspeakable and unbreakable bond with those men and women who make the decision to follow the call of the Spirit to serve. I am thankful to live in a country that honors them and a university that recognizes and supports them. With 156 currently registered, we have the highest known number of student veterans at ORU at any given time. As their shepherd, I feel a similar purpose that I felt while I served, and I am blessed with the opportunity."

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, one-third of student veterans may be dealing with "invisible wounds" of war, which can impact their academic journey. ORU's Veterans Experience Office, located in the Welcome Center, is a dedicated venue designed specifically for veteran students. To support our veterans, the Veterans Experience staff provides students with access to military-education benefits, degree information, and post-graduate employment assistance.

ORU's veteran students shared their experience as college enrollees:

"As an agent for social change and personal venture, being a veteran at ORU allows me to pursue excellence in the classroom and beyond," said Carolyn Byers. "I get to work with a team of professors who have accepted the challenge to push higher education as an empowerment to our country's greatest men and women. We get to enter a stage of promise, unique perspectives, and commitment to learning no matter our past, present, or future standings."

"ORU charges the professors, staff and students to be Holy Spirit-empowered," said Courtney Dandridge. "I also noticed how much support military service members and veterans receive at ORU. Both of these reasons were important to me because I'm going into full-time ministry and will be applying to be a Chaplain in the US Army. I have a support system at ORU that understands the struggles I have and will face defending our country - two major areas of my life."

"To me, being a veteran college student at ORU has been a whole-person transition," said Lina Knowles, "where I can continue to serve God, my country, and my family. I have the opportunity to receive a higher education that will help me serve people within my community or other parts of the world."

"I am grateful to ORU and the opportunities they have provided me both as a veteran and someone who actively serves in the Army National Guard," said Jeremy Bower. "ORU has been extremely welcoming to me and understands the experiences and difficulties of those who have served or are currently serving. During my last deployment overseas, ORU allowed me to continue my studies and worked with me to achieve my academic goals without delaying my projected graduation date. I am thankful for this school and their dedication to developing Spirit-empowered leaders who make an impact in this world."

"Students are not just an enrollment number to ORU," said Lanette Frazier. "The love, support and concern for students is real, and they care about the students becoming 'whole leaders.' When I was overwhelmed and stressed, my teacher and classmates paused to lay hands on me and pray. When I wanted to give up, my ORU family was there for me just as much as my family and friends. I've attended ORU from undergrad to seminary, and now, I'm working toward my DMIN degree. At ORU, I have had phenomenal professors and dedicated staff members, and I have met some extraordinary students on campus."

For more information on ORU's veteran benefits, resources and information, please visit the website.

UNIVERSITY BRIEF

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 160 nations from 2019 to 2024 to be whole leaders for the whole world.

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2025). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society.

ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:

• #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
• #2 in Most International Students
• #3 in Best Value
• #6 in Best College for Veterans
• #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West

For more information, visit www.oru.edu.

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