It’s Time to for Me Give Back

I graduated 25 years ago from ORU and have to admit that, perhaps like you, I have not given much to the school. OK, I gave once.

But when Mart Green became chairman of the school I began to do a little homework to see if the original vision of the school was returning to the forefront. I interviewed alumni in Tulsa, current students, administration, and faculty and had dinner a month ago with Mr. Green. Things have definitely changed. Really changed.

I have decided that it’s time for me to give back.

Remember the days of Econ 101? For me it was Dr. Gillen and learning about the stock market using imaginary money. I asked the Business School to consider a new project that would enable students to get involved in the issues of poverty and human trafficking, learn about micro-business in the developing world and then make a difference by loaning real money to business owners who are bringing change. The ORU students would choose the businesses in a peer-to-peer web platform , loan the money on behalf of the ORU Business School at 5% for 12 months and then re-invest the monies in the next business opportunity.

The idea seemed simple and right. Give an opportunity to ORU students to carry out the mission of the school, work to end poverty by creating jobs and give back to the school.

I just sent $10,000 to the ORU mPOWR Fund as a part of a matching grant to get the ball rolling. The short-term goal is to match it with 100 $100 gifts by April 30th. I believe that there are 1000 people who could give $100 to help further the mission of ORU through micro-business.

Here’s where you come in. I need a few people to “champion” this cause with me. It’s simple and should only take about 6 minutes of your time. Start the 1-2-3 below, and then forward this on to 10 ORU friends. 1. Go here or click here. https://www.oru.edu/renewingthevision/renewingthevision_bf.php 2. Under “Designated for” click “other” and type ORU mPOWR Fund 3. Fill out your personal information 4. Give at least $100 through your credit card (if you want to mail in your $$ that is fine too. Make the check to ORU and in the memo line put “Restricted – ORU mPOWR Fund) 5. Click Process

This is our chance to help re-direct the school back to it’s original world changing vision.

P.S. If we do this before April 30th, the ORU Board of Trustees will match our gifts and designate their contribution to pay down the debt. It’s perfect combination – they pay down the debt and we fuel the vision.

Until all have heard, Eric Watt

http://www.mPOWR.org