10 Great Fall Date Ideas

Happy November!

Many students joke about the "Ring by Spring" romance that stirs during this season on the campus of ORU.

While the Grad Business students are incredibly busy with final class projects, presentations, exams and readings, we still make time for fun! And for some, even romance.

One of my favorite blog sites is "The Art of Manliness." As a female, I love to gain perspective and insight from a dude's point of view. This blog site is actually managed by a fantastic couple, and you'll enjoy their wit, relevant advice and humor as they tackle life issues such as relationships, health and wellness, careers, sports and family.

Today's highlight is on one of their recent articles entitled, "10 Great Fall Date Ideas." It was so fabulous I thought I'd share it in hopes of spurring a few ideas for yourself (for now or in the future). Enjoy!

Click here to read the blog article "10 Great Fall Date Ideas"

Inspiration Friday

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you've imagined."

--Thoreau

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things

that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

--Mark Twain

ORU College of Business Travels to Peru

Yesterday, a team of ORU students, along with Dr. Russell, the Undergrad Chair, from the College of Business departed for the beautiful country of Peru!

Stay posted on what Team Peru will be involved in over the next 10 days. They have an exciting itinerary!

Thursday, October 6:

Visit Elim Christian School, Interview on Radio Cadena, El Agustino Civic Center service

Friday, October 7:

Interview at Pacifico TV, Conference Kick-Off "Peru's Cambia tu Futuro!" and then watch the Peru vs Paraguay Soccer Game

Saturday, October 8:

Speak at the Conference again, then at a Young Adults Service that night

Sunday, October 9:

Cathedral of Faith church services, Visit and Presentation in Jose Galvez

Monday, October 10:

Word of Faith Bible School, School Visits, Meeting with the Dean of the School of Administration - USIL

Tuesday, October 11:

Word of Faith Bible School, Visit to Congress, Church Service in San Camilo

Wednesday, October 12:

Word of Faith Bible School, Children's Home Visit - "Albergue Nino Emmanuel," Meeting with Young Professionals Team

Thursday, October 13:

City Tour, Shopping Trip, Prepare to head back to the USA!

Be praying for Team Peru - specifically for their safety, clearness of mind, divine connections, and many healings and miracles (emotionally, physically, and even business-related)!

Best Places for Coffee & Studying in Tulsa

Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn, and nothing says "Happy Fall" better than a Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Here are some of my favorite places to get a cup o' joe and study here in Tulsa:

• Starbucks. We have quite a few of these around town…at least a dozen. Find your favorite one and get to know the baristas. They have been known to allow free 2nd cups of coffee.
  


• Kaffe Bona. 2 locations within just a few miles of ORU. They have a lot of tables and leather couches for the perfect studying atmosphere, although it can get a little loud sometimes (just bring earbuds). And, bonus, they offer ORU students a discount!



• Nordaggios. The classic coffee shop located across the street from ORU, so even if you don’t have a car, a nice jaunt across the street can stimulate your brain for studying with a cup of roasted joe (discounts here too for ORU students).



• Barnes & Noble. This place is usually quite crowded but occasionally there are some free tables…however, power outlets are no where to be found (just charge up before you g0).



• Cosi. This little café is just a few miles from ORU and not only offers oven-baked bread sandwiches, pizzas, and an assortment of coffee drinks, but it has free wi-fi, s’mores, and an outlet at almost every table They also offer $2 off your order when you flash your ORU ID!



• Library. There are lots of these around town. Besides the one on campus which has multiple locations conducive to studying, the Tulsa public libraries have also been known to be great places to get away and think. Again, no coffee here, but with all the Starbucks in town, there’s probably one less than a mile from whatever library you go to – and some libraries have been known to have little coffee carts.



• Shades of Brown. This is a coffee shop in Brookside with funky décor and some back rooms to avoid the activity at the front of the store. Amazing hot spiced chai!



• Coffee Shop on Cherry Street. This place is on 15th Street near Utica Square so it is a bit further than some of the nearby places to ORU (a plus if you want to get-away). A bit eclectic like Shades of Brown but great atmosphere with plenty of tables! Beware of their homemade pies and cookies. ;)
  

These are just some of the places I have found in Tulsa that have been great places to study. If you are from Tulsa or are currently studying here, feel free to share your favorite study place as well – I’m always looking for additional places to check out!

The Best Places to Eat, See & Play in Tulsa

For all of you Tulsa-newbies, this blog post below should become your places-to-eat-see-and-play-in-Tulsa checklist before you graduate!

Your City Guide to Tulsa, Oklahoma

Get the low-down on where all the action happens in Downtown, Cherry Steet, Utica Square, Brookside, and everywhere in between. ORU even got a shout-out at the very end for our "futuristic" architecture design (yes, we know it's unique)!

Happy exploring!

P.S. Tell us, what are your favorite places to eat, see and play at in Tulsa?

Celebrating Our Differences

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
--Maya Angelous

The Fall term is off to a fabulous start on the campus of ORU!

We have 50 new students in the MBA and Master of Not for Profit Management programs, from all over the world.

That’s one of the best things about ORU… diversity.

China, Zambia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Angola, Sweden, Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Nigeria and Barbados… just a few of the countries represented by our new students. And of course, we love our USA students too!

The Importance of Diversity in a Team

Understanding that each individual has his or her own skill set, knowledge and worldview is a vital concept. A group of individuals sharing their unique (and often diverse) assets is an integral part of what teamwork is all about.

A person’s cultural background can offer areas of possibilities you might not have otherwise incorporated into your work. To employ the fundamentals of diversity and teamwork, utilize differences between others while respecting those differences as well.

Communication is key. Keep those lines open by sharing your viewpoints. Teamwork is cooperating together as a team, working toward a common goal.

VIDEO: Cultural Diversity - Tips for communicating with cultural awareness

How to Succeed in Grad Business School

This post below was written by the former Grad Business Representative, Rebecca, and provided such great insight I thought I’d share it again! Enjoy.

--Elle




It is the first day of a new school year! This is a day to celebrate - the start of something new!

I have been asked by students over the past few years what advice I would give to them as they begin the journey of graduate studies (or continue in them) so I thought I would pass on some of what I have learned as a graduate student (as well as working full-time and being married) that I believe can assist in helping you become a successful student.


* Always work ahead. If you know you have 10 books to read during the semester, start early (talking to myself here as well). And if you finish one early, begin the next. If you know a test is coming up, don't wait until the night before to begin studying - start preparing for it early. This will give you more time to soak in the knowledge while not being incredibly stressed out the night before a test (you can actually get some decent sleep by doing this).

* Set early deadlines. This kind of applies to working ahead - when you know the deadline for submitting a paper, set an early deadline for yourself to finish it...like maybe a week early. This will give you time to review it several times, make all those nice grammatical corrections, and make your paper spectacular.

* Engage in the classroom. Don't just sit there. Be a sponge. Ask questions. Apply what you learn in the classroom to your life.

* Enjoy the process of learning. Don't wish away the class or count down the weeks until it's over. All that will do will leave you anxious. Instead, take in all you can and live in the now. It will do you no good to look so far ahead that you can't see what's directly in front of you. Enjoy the journey.

* Give yourself a night off. It does no good to burn yourself out from studying. I always try to schedule Friday nights as my night off from studying (unless of course it's finals week or something major is coming up the next week). Again, this kind of coincides with working ahead so you can have the night off, but do it. It will refresh your mind and allow you to be more focused later on.

* Get to know people in the program. Don't be an island. The people in your classes all have busy lives too, but they can be an immense encouragement to you during stressful times. Some people come from far-away places, some have years of experience, others have families or careers or both. Get to know them - especially since you will have group projects in nearly every class. Making connections now with your classmates can lead to a lifetime of friendships and connections around the world.

* Pray. Perhaps being in a graduate program already lends itself to giving you great opportunities for increasing prayer in your life, but this is definitely a time in your life that you don't want to forget to pray. Pray for your classmates, your professors, your families and friends, yourself...cast your cares to the Lord and trust in Him (but apply yourself too). He's got everything under control - even in the most stressful of times.

I know this is going to be a fantastic year, full of amazing discoveries, and memories along the way. And when you don't feel like doing that homework, just remember this is only a season and it'll be worth it in the end! (I know I will probably need to be reminded of this myself somewhere during the semester.)

Whether we're ready or not, it's time to welcome in the new academic year!