OKLAHOMA CITY – Seven outstanding Oklahomans have been selected for induction into the 82nd class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, including Altus resident C. Kendric Fergeson. Fergeson will join the cast of 628 individuals who have been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame since 1928. Inclusion in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is the highest honor a citizen can receive from the state.

“Ken is passionate about serving our state’s citizens as an advocate for the arts and medical research,” said Shannon L. Nance, president of the Oklahoma Heritage Association & Gaylord-Pickens Museum. “He has been instrumental in helping thousands of students and teachers experience the magic of Quartz Mountain and is also assisting the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation expand its resources to rural areas of our state.”



Joining Fergeson for induction this year are: Marlin G. “Ike” Glass, Jr., Newkirk; V. Burns Hargis, Stillwater; Polly A. Nichols, Oklahoma City; Lee Roy Selmon, Eufaula; Steven W. Taylor, McAlester; and Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, Tulsa, who will be inducted posthumously.

With economic degrees from Texas Tech, Ken Fergeson commenced his banking career in Oklahoma City before purchasing the majority of NBC Bank in Altus in 1985 and settling his family in southeast Oklahoma.

Fergeson has played key roles in the banking industry, including serving as chairman of the American Bankers Association, the Oklahoma Bankers Association and the Oklahoma State Chamber. He is currently chairman of Creative Oklahoma and the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation and serves on the Native American Cultural and Education Authority and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by governor appointments. He has previously chaired the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and Oklahoma Academy.

Fergeson’s interest in supporting the arts is exemplified by his role as national treasurer for American for Arts. His belief in the importance of the arts has led him to serve on boards for the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, Quartz Mountain Music Festival, and the Shortgrass Arts and Humanities Council. Fergeson and NBC Bank created the Oklahoma Artists Series, commissioning paintings and distributing their prints and posters to customers.

Fergeson and his wife, Mary Ann, are the parents of a son, Jarrod and a daughter, Casey.