DCHS grad Dr. Billy Wilson is new president of Oral Roberts University | News

Board Chair Mart Green and the Oral Roberts University Board of Trustees has announced election of  Dr. William “Billy” Wilson as the fourth president of the Christian educational institution. Dr. Wilson, 54, will begin at the university July 1 of this year.  Dr. Wilson graduated from Daviess County High School in 1976. His wife Lisa is a 1975 graduate of DCHS. 

"The presidential search committee, Board of Trustees and I are confident we have found the best candidate to lead ORU to a bright and successful future while remaining true to its founding vision and core values,” said Green. “Chancellor Oral Roberts founded this university on big-thinking and innovation. In this day and age where technology and culture are constantly shifting, Dr. Wilson’s global vision, experience and relationships will be a catalyst for growth and transformation.”

Wilson currently serves as Executive Director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal in Cleveland, Tenn.  

“I am honored and humbled to have been elected to lead ORU at this exciting time in its history,” said Dr. Wilson. “I am committed to increasing global access to our excellent, whole-person education that has prepared over 38,000 alumni to be world-changers in business, medicine, arts, ministry and beyond.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in Secondary Education. He also holds a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary.

He was selected as the result of a nine-month search process led by the ORU Presidential Search Committee made up of representatives from the ORU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students. The Board utilized the expertise of Carter Baldwin Executive Search. More than 170 presidential prospects were nominated for consideration.