ORU President Asks For Leave

Wednesday, October 17th 2007, 11:56 am

By: News On 6

Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts has been given a leave of absence from the school. Tulsa Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty has been named acting president. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports the request for the leave of absence and the decision to pick Daugherty to lead the school came in a series of meetings by the ORU Board of Regents Wednesday morning.

Regent chairman George Pearsons announced the decision to staff and the few students on campus during a 2 o'clock meeting in Christ Chapel Wednesday afternoon.

Rev. Billy Joe Daugherty was asked to return to the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents last week. Wednesday, the board named him to lead the school on a temporary basis.

Richard Roberts said he was stepping aside because of what he called the "untrue allegations" in the lawsuit filed against him, his wife and the board of regents. In a statement issued by the university, Roberts wrote, "I don't know how long this leave of absence will last. I pray and believe that in God's timing, and when the Board feels that it is appropriate, I will be back at my post as President," wrote Richard Roberts.

"We have to work as a team to make sure ORU survives this moment. It is a dark time but we've got to get through it," Rev. Billy Joe Daugherty told the staff.

To see Richard Robertsâ€™ interview on Six In The Morning, click here.

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