TULSA, Okla. (AP) - More than 50 people have been suggested for or have shown interest in the Oral Roberts University presidency, according to the presidential search consultant.
School leaders hope to hire a new president by next summer, although consultant Bruce Dingman, president of The Dingman Co. Inc., said the university is not creating an artificial deadline for accepting resumes.
ORU is looking for a new leader following Richard Roberts' resignation last fall after intense publicity over lawsuits, which raised allegations he misspent university money and poorly managed the school — allegations he denied.
The school's board of regents was replaced by a board of trustees, which is working to stabilize ORU's finances and institute shared responsibility among trustees, administrators and faculty.
Rhae Buckley, a member of the presidential search committee and chairman of the ORU Alumni Association board of directors, said he thinks the most important qualification is servant-leadership.
"It's important for ORU because that's the original vision: It was birthed under bringing God's word to the uttermost ends of the earth, so it's important that that continue," Buckley said.
The job description calls for a man or woman who has had a "significant leadership position in a fairly large, complex organization" and who is a good speaker, "devoted Christian," planner, visionary, team-builder and good fundraiser, among many more qualifications.
It also describes a president who would serve as a role model, "living a Spirit-filled life, practicing the prayer language."
The spiritual practice of speaking in tongues is common and encouraged at ORU. At the same time, "the president should not be denominationally focused, but rather, inclusive."
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