Celebrating Spirit-Empowered Research: ORU's Digital Showcase Reaches 1 Million Downloads

Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 4th, 2025- Oral Roberts University's (ORU) Digital Showcase has officially surpassed 1 million downloads, a milestone that reflects the University's commitment to share Spirit-empowered scholarship with the world. Housed within the J.D. McKean Library, the Digital Showcase now encompasses over 7,000 research works and has reached users in 225 countries, further expanding ORU's global academic and spiritual impact. "Through scholarly research, we are sharing the message of God's love, truth, and wisdom in ways that engage both the mind and the spirit," said Dr. Angela Sample, Associate Dean of the J.D. McKean Library. "Each download represents an opportunity for transformation-whether in an academic setting, a local church, or a reader's personal spiritual journey. In this way, the Digital Showcase is not just a repository of knowledge- it is a platform for Kingdom impact." In celebration of this milestone, the University asked Dr. Sample to reflect on the growth and impact of the Digital Showcase. Q. In terms of university research, what separates ORU's Digital Showcase from other institutions of higher education? A. What sets ORU's Digital Showcase apart is its intentional integration of faith, innovation, and global engagement. It is not only a repository of academic output, but a space where faith-informed scholarship intersects with pressing global issues-ranging from health disparities to sustainable development and spiritual leadership. Unlike many institutional repositories that serve solely archival functions, ORU's Showcase fosters active dissemination and discovery, promoting research that reflects both academic rigor and spiritual insight. Q. What important topics or current events are driving research, scholarship, and investigation within ORU's Digital Showcase? A. Recent trends show strong engagement with topics like global health, ethics in technology, faith and leadership, diversity and inclusion, and Spirit-empowered living. COVID-19's global impact, humanitarian crises, mental health, and AI in education have also driven scholarly output. ORU's unique mission has prompted critical inquiry into how spiritual worldview intersects with these complex challenges-making its Showcase a distinctive voice in the global research conversation. Q. With downloads from 225 countries, why has ORU's Digital Showcase become a global source for international research? What's fueling today's international interest in academic and scholarly questions of faith? A. The international reach reflects a deep and growing need for scholarship that transcends cultural, political, and disciplinary boundaries-especially one that engages questions of faith, purpose, and ethics. Many institutions around the world are seeking models of research that combine academic integrity with spiritual depth. ORU's Digital Showcase addresses that gap. Its open-access model, global accessibility, and faith-driven perspective resonate with scholars and institutions looking for integrated approaches to research and knowledge. Q. With 1 million downloads, are there any specific papers, collections, or contributors driving the scholarly interest in ORU's Digital Showcase? A. Yes, certain collections and contributors have significantly shaped the platform's visibility. High-performing collections include the Spirit-empowered Journal, conference proceedings from the Global Spirit-empowered Movement, and student theses on theology, public health, and international development. Individual contributors whose work bridges faith and professional practice-especially in areas like business ethics, education, and healing ministries-are drawing consistent scholarly attention. The Showcase's curated collections, such as thematic issues and faculty-led research initiatives, also play a major role in its sustained growth. Q. What is fueling the accelerated growth in ORU's Digital Showcase? Why are more and more academics turning to it? A. The growth is fueled by a combination of strategic content development, increased faculty engagement, and the global hunger for freely accessible, values-based scholarship. The Showcase's seamless user experience, consistent indexing in academic search engines, and commitment to open access make it an attractive outlet for scholars wanting impact and visibility. In addition, the Digital Showcase offers authors detailed metrics and global reach-features that are increasingly important in a metrics-driven academic environment. Readership Distribution: For more information, please visit the Digital Showcase at digitalshowcase.oru.edu. UNIVERSITY BRIEF ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 165 nations in the last 5 years to be whole leaders for the whole world. The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2025). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society. ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as: #1 in Undergraduate Teaching #2 in Most International Students #3 in Best Value #6 in Best College for Veterans #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West For more information, visit https://www.oru.edu.