By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer on Apr 18, 2013, at 1:49 AM??Updated on 4/18 at 5:51 AM
ORU President Mark Rutland: The outgoing president told students in his final address that when he arrived on campus four years ago, he was "afraid that I would just look old and stuffy. I'm not hip. I've got hips, but I'm not hip. I was afraid we couldn't find that connection. But the fact of the matter is, in four years, I feel a deep sense of love for you and from you."
A teary Mark Rutland addressed the students at Oral Roberts University for the last time Wednesday.The outgoing ORU president has been a popular speaker at twice-a-week chapel services for the past four years.
Before he spoke, students and faculty and board members, public officials and national Christian leaders talked about his influence at ORU, some in person and some by video.
Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett said by video that Rutland brought ORU from "a very bad place to a very good place."
Alumnus Rick Fenimore said Rutland left a good and secure position to accept a job that "thrust him into chaos, and against all odds he managed to turn it around in just four years."
Dan Holman, representing the students, called Rutland "a real leader, and that's not something we see a lot of these days."
Rutland told the students that when he arrived on campus four years ago, he was "afraid that I would just look old and stuffy."
"I'm not hip," he said. "I've got hips, but I'm not hip. I was afraid we couldn't find that connection.
"But the fact of the matter is, in four years, I feel a deep sense of love for you and from you. We feel loved by the student body, and that's a wonderful thing."
Rutland likened his job at ORU to the maid who cleans his hotel room when he travels, a person who doesn't own the hotel.
"She just comes in and tidies up the room and leaves," he said.
"I felt that my job here was to be a housekeeper. ... Come in, tidy up and leave. I don't own anything; none of this is mine."
At the end of the chapel service, nationally known Christian television hosts James and Betty Robison of "Life TODAY" made a surprise appearance, walking onto the stage at Christ Chapel, where they hugged Mark and Alison Rutland.
The two couples have known each other for years and have ministered together.
James Robison called Rutland "one of the most gifted preachers on the planet."
Mark Rutland came to ORU after the resignation of President Richard Roberts. ORU was facing critical financial problems, a large debt and several lawsuits.
Under Rutland's leadership, and with donations of more than $100 million from the Green family of Oklahoma City, the university is now debt-free, and the campus has been extensively renovated. The new Armand Hammer Alumni-Student Center opened in January.
Rutland announced last year that he would step down after this semester to pursue other ministry opportunities in Georgia.
Bill Sherman 918-581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Rutland gives final address at ORU
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