OKLAHOMA CITY – Seven outstanding Oklahomans were inducted into the 82nd class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday evening at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center. These accomplished Oklahomans joined the cast of 628 individuals who have been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame since 1928. 

 “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor Oklahomans can receive for their contributions to our state,” said Shannon L. Nance, president of the Oklahoma Heritage Association and Gaylord-Pickens Museum.

 The 2009 inductees are: C. Kendric Fergeson, Altus; 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. 

 Each nominee personally selected a family member, friend or colleague to formally present them at the Nov. 12 banquet & induction ceremony.

 C. Kendric Fergeson

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 southwest 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 & 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 Americans for the 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.

 Fergeson was presented by Robert L. Lynch of Washington, D.C. Lynch is president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, the national organization dedicated to advancing the arts and arts education in people’s lives, schools and communities.

Portraits of the 2009 inductees have been added to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Gallery at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Along with the other 628 honorees from across the years, their biographies, photos and fun facts can now be accessed through touch screen computers in the same gallery.  For more information about the Museum, please call 405.235.4458 or visit www.oklahomaheritage.com.

 For information about making a nomination to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, contact Millie Craddick, executive administrator of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, at 405.523.3203 or mc@oklahomaheritage.com.