thec

omm

uniq

ue

pressing in 24-7rachel wegner 7something newmindi wallace 9

creative bentj. p. jones4ad-renalin rushchad shockley6

com

mun

icat

ion,

arts

and

med

ia a

lum

ni m

agaz

ine

fall/

win

ter 2

009

quiet on the setjoshua polite3

T The semester certainly startedoffright: new president, debt free, ongoingcampus renovations, new chapel formatand increased enrollment. It was at theinaugurationceremonythatwewitnesseda history-making moment: Founder andChancellorOralRobertslayinghandsonDr.MarkRutlandandpassingthetorchtothenewpresident to carryon thevisionoftheuniversityandleadittograndnewheights. In addition to the universityreceiving a boost, the communication,

artsandmediadepartmentalsoreceivedashotinthearmintheformofanewfaculty member, Dr. Laura Sherwood, who comes to us from the Universityof Nebraska. Bringing with her years of broadcast and teaching experience,students will greatly benefit from her expertise. With a $1.5 million budget, the first floor media area was renovated to includeanewclassroom,conference room,studentpublicationsheadquartersand faculty offices. Students oohed and ahhed over the striking new look upon theirAugustreturn. The performance arena has also thrived this fall. On-campus theaterperformanceshaveincludedTheOedipusCycle.DirectorofTheaterCourtneaySandersreceivedthe2009RuthArringtonOutstandingCollegeTheaterEducatorAwardfromtheOklahomaSpeechTheatreCommunicationAssociation. TheORU influence continues off campus as well. Courtneay is cofounder with fellowfacultymemberandalumnusChrisCrawfordofThePlayhouseTheatre,aprofessionaltheatercompanyinTulsa.Intheareaofdance,LivingWaterDanceCompany,hostedbyDirectorofDanceAmyMcIntosh, held a contemporarydance concert at Tulsa Ballet’s Studio K and is preparing for the fall danceconcertcalled,“TheIndwelling.” Additionally, thecampusnewspaper,TheOracle,will soonbeonline.Staytunedtolookforthathappeninginthespring. Inconclusion,I’dliketothankyou,faithfulalumni,foryourprayersandsupport,standinginthegapduringanuncertaintime.Thatdiligenceispayingoffwithavibrantcampusandapromisingfuture.Itisatthismomentintheuniversitytimelinethatthejourneyisjustnowgettingexciting.

chai

r’s le

tter

2

Professor Laura Hollanddepartment chair

The Communique is a prod-uct of the Oral Roberts University communication, arts and media department for its alumni.

For a change of address, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@oru.edu To receive job listings or post an open position to recruit alumni applicants, e-mail Dr. Even Culp at eculp@oru.edu. To provide feedback on the magazine or submit story ideas on successful alums, contact cputman@oru.edu. The adviser would like to hear from others in the field.

Professor Laura Hollandcommunication, arts

and media chair

Chris Putmancommunique adviser

Caitlin Boeweeditor in chief

Special thanks to:Dr. Even Culp

Contact us:cputman@oru.eduThe Communiquec/o Chris Putman

Oral Roberts UniversityLRC-126C

7777 S. Lewis Ave.Tulsa, OK 74171

Cover photo/Rachael Macphee

Wallace’s story on page 9

Graphic/courtesy StockExpert

Font/courtesy dafont.com

Nm

ovies/tv

Nothing is more pow-erfulthanamanonamission.For one man that mission isreaching the lost and hurtingoftheworld.Thismanrealizestouching the lost requiresonething he hopes to provide inmagnitude:money. This man, JoshuaPolite, is a 27-year-old mediarenaissanceman.Fromcameraworktowriting,hehasdoneitall.The2005graduateearnedadegreeinbroadcastjournalism.Since then he has worked forDallasCowboyswidereceiverMichael Irving and the 24-hoursportsTVnetworkESPNas well as on projects rangingfrom pastor of The Potter’sHouse T. D. Jakes’ feature film “Not Easily Broken” to realestate tycoon Donald Trump’s“CelebrityApprentice.” ObviouslyPolitewantstogainnotorietyforhiswork,but the mission behind hisdesireiscertainlyhonorable. “Somepeoplepretend. . . [money is] not a factor,”Polite said. “I won’t lie; youmake a lot of money doingthis.Ihavealotoffriendsonthe missions field or who want tostartbusinesses.Theywantto do a lot of things for thekingdom. I would love to beable to finance those things.” Beforemoneycanpourin,theinspirationmustcomeandbebroughtintothetangible.ForPolite,thisiscraftingastoryintoascreenplay.Politeisrewritinghis script “Blood and Prayers”afterpitchingan80-pagestart.

3

With the hope to finance the advancement of the kingdom, Josh Polite works in the money-rich movie industry. Polite now embarks on turning an inspirational story into a screenplay. photo/joshua polite

Polite attributes his passion for the industry to hisupbringing in a film-intensive home. His father, Richard Polite, producedcontentfortelevisionnetworksMTVandNickelode-on.HeleftthatpositionwhenJoshwassixyearsoldtoworkonChristian films. “Ikindofgrewupontheset;it’slikethefamilybusiness,”Politesaid.“WhenIwas twelveIgot tomeetandhangoutwith[“HopeFloats”actors]SandraBullockandHarryConnickJr.” Polite doesn’t carry on selfishly toward his mission; he impactsthosearoundhimaswell.TheyouthpastoratRosedaleParkBaptistChurchinDetroit,Mich.,DennisTalbert,haswit-nessedPolite’slifeofexcellencebothonandofftheset. “Josh is a kid who’s never met a stranger and who’spassionateaboutmissions,”Talbertsaid.“Ifhehadthedollars,he’d be on the mission’s field forever. He has an incredible abilitytomixwithallcultures,typesandracesofpeople.” Polite has planned out his short-term and long-termgoals. Short term, he’s finalizing his first screenplay. But for the longterm,hehasbiggerobjectivesinmind. “That’s my thing; I want to change the world,” Po-lite saidwithanoticeablepassion inhisvoice.“People thinkthat’sreallycrazy.Everyonesays,‘Iwanttochangetheworld,’but I really, truly,want tochange theworld. Iwant tostartamovement.” story/aaron tifft

quiet on the setjoshua polite scripts his way to greatness

W In addition to her day job,Jones teaches as an adjunct at theuniversity. She actively seeks toenrich students’ lives and educa-tional experiences through a livelyclassroom, her blogs and by usingherconnectionstohookstudentsupwithpracticalinternships. “I really enjoy the oppor-tunity to come back to teach thestudents from the perspective thatI’ve been in their shoes recently,and I know what’s out there. So Icanbetterpreparethem,”Jonessaid.“Youhavetoworkwithexcellence,andyouhave tobe faster than thecompetition.Designerstendtotaketheirtime.Ifyoucanbefasterandbetter,youwillsucceed.” Jones remembers first and foremostherworkisaministry,andGodistheauthorofhersuccess. “To me, success is doingsomething you love and affectingthe world the way God wants youto,” Jones said. “I can see God’shandoffavoruponeverythingIdo.NothingthatIdoisinmystrength;it’s all in His. Without His help Icouldneverbesuccessful.” Jonesmaybeanentrepreneurwhohaswonnumerousawardsandamentorwhohashelpedcountlessstudents, but her legacy is muchmore. She puts her heart into herworkandleavesamarkeverywhereshe goes, creating inspiration andtouching lives along the way. story/jenica stubbs

While most children were dreaming aboutbecoming a fireman or an astronaut, J. P. Jones knew at ayoungageherfuturecareerwouldinvolveart.Everthecreativedreamer,this2006graphicdesignmajorisnowtheWebdesignerforKennethHaginMinistriesatRhemaBibleTrainingCenter,amongherlengthylistofcareerventuresontheside. Though Jones has only been out of collegefor a fewyears, she alreadyownsandco-owns threethrivingbusinesses:Paige1Media,whichspecializesinprintdesign;CollipsisWebSolutions,concentratingonWeb design and development; and Paige1Publishing,designedtohelpemergingauthorspublishtheirworks.Asadesigner, shehasworkedwithover30differentministriesandclientsfromaroundtheworld,creatinginspirationinherwake. Her clients definitely rave about her. “Herworkisabsolutelyamazing,”clientRuthMcGill, founder of Ruth McGill Ministries, said.“Everyone who sees myWeb site just loves her cre-ative work.They want to know who did it, and I’venevereverhadanegativecomment.Icangiveheranidea—doesn’tmatterifit’sagoodidea,butshekeepsthegutsofitandmakesitagreatidea.” This young woman led her yearbook staff toover 100 awards, personally won the prestigious in-ternational2008and2009Communicatorawardsandscoredthe2008and2009GraphicDesignUSAawardfromover10,000entries.Jonesattributesmuchofhersuccesstohereducationandinvolvement.Jonesactive-lysoughtoutalloftheadditionalexperienceshecouldfind. This included serving as the editor of the univer-sityyearbookforfouryears,threeaseditorinchief. “Hands-on experience with the yearbook,managing a staff played a huge role in contributingtomysuccess,”Jonessaid.“Tobeabletodoandnotjusthear–participationwaskey.IlearnedeverythingIcouldpossiblylearn.Iworkedwiththeyearbookthewhole time I was there and attended publication lec-tures.”

creative bentj. p. jones creating inspiration for others

desi

gn

4

designer and moreAs Web designer for Kenneth Hagin Ministries, J. P. Jones enhances the Christian design world with her artistic ability. Because of her creativity, ex-perience and formal training, Jones launched three thriving businesses, and she gave all glory to God. “With-out His help I could never be success-ful,” Jones said. photo/jason holland

G Graduatinghighschoolatage16andgraduatingOralRobertsUniversityat20,ChadShockleyhasanobvious drive second to none. The 2004 advertisingand public relations graduate continues to climb theladderintheadvertisingworld,anditallstartedwithhis first job the Monday after graduation. Withahope tounderstandcorporateAmerica,Shockley, a fifth-generation pastor’s kid, declined following his family tradition. He traded this in toministertotheadvertisingworld. “I wanted to work in corporate America tounderstandwhatpeoplegothroughandhowtorelatetothemdaytoday,”Shockleysaid. Byfollowinghiscall,GodopenedseveraldoorsforShockleyintheadvertisingworld. After a few years in the industry, Shockley,driventobesuccessful,tookajobinTexas.Thisservedasthespringboardtohisbiggestaccountyet. “I moved from Tulsa to Dallas in 2006 andstarted working for one of the top digital advertisingagenciesinNorthAmerica,”Shockleysaid.“Istartedworkingonanaccountasasenioraccountexecutive.” Afterpayinghisduesby spending longhours

ad-renalin rushchad shockley drives full throttle

Lad

verti

sing

6

in the office, and because of his winningspirit,Shockleywasofferedajobwithoneofthelargestbrandsintheworld. “I was asked to step into alargerroleasanaccountmanagerontheirDietCokebusiness,”Shockleysaidproudly.“WithinafewmonthsIhadtakenoverallaccountdirectorresponsibilities.” Shockley’s drive towardsuccesswasobviousfromhisworkfor Diet Coke. It was apparentto the people around him. Coca-Cola Senior Media and InteractiveManager Stephanie Eaddy noticedhisunmatchedmotivation. “Chadcametoworkforusatatimewhereweneededalittlemorehands-on leadership,” Eaddy said.“Hebroughtalotofenthusiasmandpassiontothecompany.” Shockley had a lot on hisplatewhileworkingforCoca-Cola. “I was responsible for theday-to-dayrelationships,”Shockleysaid. “I was in charge of makingsurethattheywerehappyattheendoftheday.Thatwedeliveredonthegoalsandobjectivesoftheprogram.It was my responsibility, all whilemanaginga$2.5millionbudget.” Shockleyhasheldpositionsthat 20-year-olds don’t typicallyhold;fromthishehaslearnedalotaboutkeepingthatdriveincheck. “At the end of the day, it’sjust a consumer product [Coca-Cola],”Shockleysaid.“Youhavetobecontentwhereyouareandknowthat God has you in a place for acertain reason, and you must find abalanceofdoingthingsthathavemeaning.” story/caitlin boewe

With the desire to minister to corporate America, Chad Shockley advances via God’s favor. Continuing with momentum, Shockley recently joined an Atlanta digital agency, Maxmedia, as a senior account director. photo/meredith shockley

L NowWegner ismovingfullforceinherworkwith Campus America, writing testimonials for theirWeb site and newsletter, helping with various jobs,likeshippingordersfrom24-7USA’sonlinestoreandgatheringvideoandphotography. “My heart is to tell stories of people who areintheKingdomofGodandalsototellstoriesofwhatGodisdoing,”Wegnersaid.“MyheartiswrappedupinwhatGodisdoinginthesecollegecampuses.” Oneofheroverseers,Carlson,hasbeenabletowatchWegnertransitionintothisnewposition. “It was challenging, but she stuck with it, and,frankly, itwasagood testofhercommitment,”Carlsonsaid.“She’sgritty.Shesinksherteethinandwon’tletgo.” Wegner has truly experienced God’s faithful-nessasHestretchedherawayfromhercomfortzoneandintotheunknownofanewministry. story/yoana sampayo

To support Rachel Wegner as she serves at 24-7 and Campus America, contact her at rachel.wegner@campusamerica.org.

Life after graduation canbe terrifying when a graduatedoesn’t know their next step. Forprint journalism major RachelWegner, life after graduation in2007 was a smooth transition.She was immediately hired at theuniversity,workingforExcellence,thealumnimagazine,andshewassurroundedbyherfriendsandchurchfamily–notmuchofastretch. However, God had a newdirection for Wegner. On her 24thbirthday,oneofthefoundersof24-7PrayerandafacilitatorforCampusAmerica, Pete Greig, spoke inuniversity chapel about promotingprayer. The next day Wegnerinterviewed Greig for an article.Little did she know the impact ofthisroutineinterview. “It was pivotal,” Wegnersaid.“Itwasoneofthoseinterviewswhere what he was saying wasspeakingtomepersonally.” Soon after meeting withGreig and Executive Director forCampusAmericaRustinCarlson,ajournalistpositionopenedatCampusAmerica in Kansas City.After herjobinterview,herheartwasburningwithpassionforthisnewchallenge.Leaving her current position wasrisky,butshewasconvinceditwasGod’s direction, clearly a time ofstretching. “I’mnotabig,fastdecisionmaker,”Wegnersaid.“NotupuntilrecentlydidpeoplebelievethatIwasa big risk taker. But God was like‘Forgetthat,I’mtellingyoutogo.’” Wegner made her decisionto work with Campus America astheirchiefstoryteller.Buthere’sthediceypart:herpositionisnotpaid,soWegnerhastotrustGodforherprovision,atruestretchoffaith. “Okay, God, if this is re-allywhatYou’retellingmewhattodo,I’mgoingtogoandtrustYou,”Wegnersaid.

pressing in 24-7rachel wegner never lets up

print

7

Going out on a limb, Rachel Wegner works for Campus America as a journalist. Even without the promise of a salary, Wegner moves to Kansas City to answer the call of God on her life through her ability to craft stories showcasing God’s people in action. photo/rhema muncy

beyond bridalWith the desire to minister in her cor-ner of the world through Something New, Mindi Wallace Linscombe operates a bridal boutique in Colorado Springs. Outfitted with pas-sion and a dream, Wallace had touched the lives of many brides dur-ing a stressful time in their lives. “In the business sense, I think we are impacting the bridal industry with our approach to the bridal experience. We make each girl feel unique.” Wallace said. photo/rachael macphee

F marketresearchandsawagreatneedforanotherbridalshop, one that would exceed everyone’s expectationsand bring a positive image to bridal,” Wallace said.“Muchtimewasspentinpreparationandalotinprayer.Ialsowouldneverhavedoneit ifmyhusband,ORUgrad also Jordan Linscombe, didn’t fully support theidea.Iamfortunatetohavesuchastronghusbandthathasencouragedmetofollowadream.” Wallace’s experiences at ORU taught her tocontinually submit her spirit, mind and body to theLordandfullyequippedhertogointoeverywoman’sworld. “Myworld iswomen,women that need JesusjustasmuchasIdo,”Wallacesaid.“I trytolistentotheir stories, serve themand show them that theyarevaluable. They are more than just a customer to me,theyareGod’screation,fullofbeauty.I’msothankfulfor the level of professionalism that was establishedfrommyprofessors,because I acceptnothingbut thebestnowwhenitcomestorunningmyownbusiness.” Besideshelpingbridesselectthebestdressfortheirweddings,GodhasusedWallaceinmanywaysinthebridalindustry. “I have gotten to encourage so many peoplefromallwalksoflife,”Wallacesaid.“EverymorningIsayaprayerthatGodwouldusemywordsandactionstomakesomeonefeelspecialthatday.EverydaythereisamomentwhereIamabletoprovidealisteningear,encouragesomeonenottogiveupandevenoccasionallypraywithaclient.” Wallace’s successful life and career was notgiventoher;shehadtoovercomeobstaclesalongtheway. “I’m just an ordinary girl from Rockford,Illinois,”Wallacesaid.“Overtheyears,Ihavehadmanypersonal obstacles to overcome, one of them being a50percenthearinglossthathasmademehavetoworkhardertoseekunderstandingformyentirelife.”

From the day she got herdriver’slicense,2003organizationalinterpersonalcommunicationsgradMindi Wallace Linscombe woulddrivetoherlocalBarnesandNobleand look through the latest bridalmagazines. Now, years later, sheis theownerofSomethingNew,asuccessfulColoradoSpringsbridalboutique. After graduation Wallacedidnotgostraightintotheweddingindustry.Shespentayearteachinghigh school Spanish and adultEnglish as a Second Language inVailValley,Colo.andthenplannedonapplyingforgraduateworkinESLat every state school in Colorado.She miraculously received a fullride scholarship to the Universityof Colorado at Colorado Springs,without even applying. Aftergraduateschool,shewasofferedajobat theAssociationofChristianSchools International to do funddevelopment, grant writing andcommunications. Wallace’s dreamtoownherownbusinessledhertoembarkonsomethingnew. During Wallace’s time attheuniversity,shebecameclosetoabridalshopownerwhorepeatedlyinsisted she open her own shopsomeday. After getting married,WallacediscoveredalackofbridalshopsintheColoradoSpringsareaanddecidedtotakeaction. “After being a bride inColoradoSprings,Ididabunchof

something newmindi wallace takes ownership

business

9 wallace jump to page 12

)

campus upgradesNumerous campusupgrades took placeover the summerand fall semester.The Prayer Gardenswere modernizedwithstoneworkanda peaceful waterfeature; benches

were also added so students can sit and pray.Christ’sChapelreceivedafaceliftwithasharpnewstage, carpet and upholstery. The Mabee Center,JohnsonStadiumandTimko-Bartonalsoreceivedimprovements. story/caitlin boewe

Gcomin’ in livelaura sherwood impacts airwaves

Growing up a shy and insecure girl in ruralNorth Dakota, Laura Sherwood often found solacerunningdownagravelroadnearherhome. Onecloudydayduringher junioryearofhighschool,anall-too-familiarrunbecamealife-changingexperience.Itstartedtorain,andbeingupsetfromadifficult day at school, Sherwood’s tears streamed down her face from the overwhelming pressure ofteasing from her classmates. As the rain stopped,she stood in silence, looked up to the heavens andsawarainbow.TherainbowrevealedthegraceandperfectionofGodsmilingdownonher. “At that verymoment, I caught aglimpseof

how Christ saw me,” Sherwood said.“Hesawmeintruth.”

It was in thatmoment she felt ac-cepted and realized itdidn’t matter what oth-

ersthoughtofher.Shefelt secure inChrist, a

pivotal moment thatwould ultimately bringherintoGod’swillforherlife. Her journey would

take her to unimaginableheights. UponenteringORUasasophomore,Sherwoodma-joredintelecommunications(television).

“I fell in love withtelevision,” Sherwood said.“I thought ‘Wow! Could youactually get paid for doingsomethinglikethis?Somethingyouenjoydoing?’” The 1978 graduateneverplannedtoenterthebroad-casting field full-time again, but Godhadotherideas.Sherwoodattended the University of

alumna awardedTelecommunications gradu-ate Kathleen Johnson is aprofessor at Gaylord Col-lege. She has extensiveknowledge and more than20 years’ experience inbroadcast, network, cable,satelliteandnewmedia.John-son has received honors in-cludinganationalEmmynom-ination, four regionalEmmy

awards,sevenTellyawardsandthehighlyrespectedEdwardR.MurrowAwardfromtheRadio-TelevisionNewsDirectorsAssociation. story/caitlin boewe

photo illustration/chris putman

new

facu

ltyinaugurationAsthethirdpresidentoftheuniversity,Dr.Mark Rutland waselected to carry ontheoriginalmission,toeducatethewholeperson in spirit,mind and body. Theceremonytookplace

atapackedMabeeCenter.Classeswerecanceledin order for the entire academic community toattend. With a strong background and extensiveexperience,Rutlandhasalottooffertheuniversity.

story/caitlin boewe

)10

inaugurationphoto/jeremy loud

chapel faceliftphoto/chris putman

Kathleen Johnsonphoto/courtesy ORU

) new faculty

living water danceFounding Directorof Dance AmyMcIntosh hostedthe Living WaterDance Companyconcert performedoff campus atthe Tulsa Ballet’sStudio K. Tulsa

Ballet’s pre-professional ensemble performedcontemporary dances choreographed by McIntosh.The concert featured tap artist Heather Fick, jazzartist Sheri Sprague and Rachel Bruche-Johnson’sdance for camera short films. story/caitlin boewe

oru sundaysAs a method to gain primeexposure, the universitycreatively launched “ORUSundays”nationwide.OnonechosenSundayinSeptember,pastors dedicated about 10minutes during their morn-ing service to share withtheircongregationsabouttheuniversity and to distribute

handouts, resources and brochures. Audienc-es were also provided time to inquire aboutadmissions and an opportunity to donate to theuniversity. story/caitlin boewe

outstanding educatorTheater Director CourtneaySanders was named 2009RuthArrington OutstandingCollege Theatre Educatorby the Oklahoma SpeechTheatre CommunicationAssociation. After com-pleting an ORU drama,theater and film degree, she earned a Universityof Arkansas fine arts in

acting master’s. Sanders has directed on-campusproductions“TheComedyofErrors,”“ThreeDaysofRain”and“TheMousetrap.” story/caitlin boewe

))

Nebraska at Kearney and earned her master of artsineducation.WhileshewasatUNK,Godcreatedanopportunityforherasateachingassistantandadjunctin the communications department. Walking into herfirst day of class, she was nervous, but once she started teaching,shewashooked. “Theywouldn’thavetopaymeforthis,”Sher-woodsaid.“I’ddoitforfree.” Her love for teaching would eventually leadto a full-time position as an assistant professor ofbroadcasting and manager/adviser for KLPR, UNK’scampus radio station. She led her students to a first-place victory in the entertainment category of a BroadcastEducation Association competition. It was then sheenrolled in online courses at Regent University andearnedherPh.D.incommunications. As she begins a new chapter in her life as anORU assistant professor of mass communications,Sherwood is fully confident and eager to make learning funaswellasencourageherstudentsintheirrelation-shipwithJesusChrist.SherwoodisteachingMediaLawand Ethics, Public Relations Case Studies, BroadcastNews Writing, Campaign Strategies, NewsgatheringWorkshop and Writing for the Media. She hopes toguidestudentstodiscoverthepurposeGodhasfortheirlives. In addition, Sherwood strives to provide themsupportneededtosucceed. Senior Jenica Stubbs has experienced Sher-wood’s support firsthand. “On the first day of prayer and fasting this year, we spent the first half of class taking prayer requests andprayingforthemindepth,”Stubbssaid.“Iwasintearsbytheendofclassandwassotouched.Shesharesherlifewithus,andIbelieveshehasmadeitapersonalgoaltobeamentortoeverystudentintheclass.” Sherwood is delighted to be back at the uni-versity inanewcapacityandhopesher lifewillbeatestament of how being faithful to God will blessonebeyondallwildestdreams.Thatshyandinsecuregirl is long gone. God has given her the confidence to achievetheunimaginable. “God has a purpose and a plan for me, but Inever imagined it would be such a blessed and fulfilled life,”Sherwoodsaid.“God is theGodof themasses,butHeisalsoanindividualGod. . .withaplanthatonly you can achieve . . . No one else can fulfill the plan Godhascalledyoutodo.” story/monica martinez

11

courtneay sandersphoto/box photography

oru campusphoto/chris putman

living water dance companyphoto/maranda blumenthal

busi

ness

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDTulsa, OK

Permit No. 665Oral Roberts UniversityCommunication, Arts and Media Department7777 S. Lewis Ave. Tulsa, OK 74171

12

Little did Wallace know, her first wedding dress sale would be to a future employee. Sayo Parham, acustomerfromJapan,becamegoodfriendswithWallaceoverthemonthsbeforeherweddingandwouldvisittheshopregularly.Sheeventuallystartedhelpingoutattheshopwhenneededandisnowafull-timeemployeeandsuccessfulbridalconsultant. “Mindiislikemymentor,”Parhamsaid.“Ihavenevermetsomeonesosweetandrespectful.ShejusttotallylovestheLordandlovespeopleandisabletoreallylistentotheirneedsandgetexcitedalongwiththem.” Evenwiththeeconomyinadownwardspiral,Wallace’sbusinessisthrivingandholdsthe2009Bestof Colorado Springs award from the largest weddingWebsite,“TheKnot.” “I opened my shop on my 27th birthday, andit has doubled its projected goals since the day weopened,”Wallacesaid.“Thatsuccesshascomeduringatimewhenourcountryisataneconomichalt,atimeoffearinthefutureandatimeofworryaboutmoney.ThatsuccesscomesfromtheLordandateamofpeoplethatbelievedinadream.Ioftenremindmyselfthatwebeat theodds,meaningtheoddswerenotnecessarilysetoutformetohaveiteasy.” Wallace’s ability to make clients feel specialbringssomethingnewtotheweddingindustry. “EvenifI’mtouchingonelifeatatime,it’sworthit,”Wallacesaid.“In thebusinesssense, I thinkweareimpacting the bridal industry with our approach to thebridalexperience.Wemakeeachgirlfeeluniqueandspe-cializeincustomizingtomeettheirneeds.Nootherbridalshopdoesthatthewaywedo.” story/bailey kennedy

e-blastInterested in staying informedand up to date with the ORUcommunication, arts and mediafacultysuchasassistantprofes-sor Charles Zwick? Univer-sity news, events and alumnifeaturesareperiodicallye-blast-ed to the email of participatingalumni. Alumni may sign

up to receive the e-blasts bysending their email address to

CommuniqueAdviserChrisPutmanatcputman@oru.edu.Thesee-blastsareanotherwaytostayconnectedwithORU. story/caitlin boewe

playhouse theatreORUprofessorsandalumnihaveteamedupandstartedanewTulsa-based theatercompany. Profes-sors Chris Martin,ChrisCrawfordandCourtneay Sandersalong with alum-

na Nichole Cates started The Playhouse Theatre.FeaturingORUstudents,theyperformed“LendMeATenor”and“BoyGetsGirl”followedby“It’sAWonderfulLife:ALiveRadioPlay.” story/caitlin boewe

wallace continued from page 9

playhouse castphoto/michele zemecnik

chalres zwickphoto/chris putman