One ORU Lawsuit Dropped and Dr. Swails Reinstated
According to a posting on the Oral Roberts University website, Dr. John Swails who had filed the wrongful termination lawsuit against ORU that started the avalanche that resulted in Richard Robert’s resignation as President, has dropped his lawsuit. As a result of mediation, both sides have worked things out and Dr. Swails is rejoining the faculty of the school. Questions remain, since two other professors who also sued the school are continuing their legal action and don’t seem to be interested in returning. Also, some are wondering about the potential for criminal wrongdoing if the case goes to court.
The allegations are pretty serious, and alleged financial wrongdoing at a major non-profit organization has significant implications, so it will be newsworthy to see how the case works out from Richard and his wife Lindsay’s perspective.
Looking back, reports indicate the avalanche was all started when Lindsay’s sister Stephanie Cantees took her computer in for service, and it apparently contained a list of questionable activities by the Roberts family. Reports indicate that when the young man servicing the computer turned that list into some ORU professors, the whole episode began. Which in retrospect, some have questioned Stephanie’s motives. Was she a victim of an overeager student violating her privacy? Was it a coincidence? Was it orchestrated by Stephanie? No ones knows at this point as the story continues to play out.
But overwhelmingly positive things have come out of the situation. Oklahoma City businessman Mart Green has stepped up to bail ORU out financially, he’s also mandated that far more professional accountability be set up, we’re seeing the Board of Regents shifting, Richard Roberts resigned, and a search is on for a qualified President. Now that Dr. Swails has been re-instated, it appears good things continue to happen for ORU.
I for one have renewed my interest in ORU doing well. Whatever the cause for this explosive transition, out of it can be birthed something new, innovative, and powerful. I’m told that some time ago, in at least one place on the campus Oral Roberts’ original mission statement had been taken down off the wall:
“Go into every man’s world. Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is seen dim, My voice is heard small, My power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their works will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased.”
Hopefully, that great quote is getting put back up…
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Bart Breen
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island girl
