Events

Wall of Fame

November 18, 2019

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools will induct new members into the Wall of Fame on Nov. 18 at the 35th annual Wall of Fame Humanitarian Awards dinner. The 2019 class will join 84 other alumni who have been inducted since the Wall of Fame was created in 1985.

Over the past 35 years, the Wall of Fame has celebrated the long, rich history of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS). It includes some of the city’s and nation’s most influential business, community and artistic leaders. The awards event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. on November 18 at the Skirvin Hilton in downtown Oklahoma City.

Know someone who'd make a great honoree? We're accepting nominations through April 30th!

To sponsor the Wall of Fame event, please contact debby@okckids.com.

2018 Honorees

Chef Rick Bayless
Mayfair Elementary School, Taft Junior High School, Northwest Classen High School

Most people know him from winning the title of Bravo’s Top Chef Master beating out the French and Italian with his authentic Mexican cuisine. His highly rated on-going Public Television Series, Mexico—One Plate at a Time can be found on television sets coast to coast, as well as his award winning, seven cookbooks. In 2012, Chef Bayless was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Best Culinary Host.

His side-by-side award-winning restaurants in Chicago were founded in 1987 – the casual Frontera Grill and the 4-star Topolobampo. In 2007, Frontera Grill won for Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Organization. His award-winning Frontera line of salsas, grilling sauces and organic chips can be found coast to coast.

Chef Bayless has won James Beard awards for Midwest Chef of the Year, National Chef of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year. He opened his third restaurant: XOCO—a quick serve LEED certified restaurant featuring house-ground chocolate and wood grilled tortas. This year, Tortas Frontera opened at Chicago’s O’Hare airport and in downtown Chicago.

In 2016, he opened Leña Brava, a wood-fired seafood restaurant, and the adjacent Cruz Blanca Cervecería, which focuses on craft beer and Oaxacan-style tacos. Also in 2016, Chef Bayless won the prestigious Julia Child Award. In 2017, his restaurant Topolobampo won the James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant in the nation.

Dr. Legand L. Burge, Jr.
Edwards Elementary School, Truman Elementary School, F.D. Moon Junior High School, Frederick Douglass High School

Dr. Legand L. Burge, Jr. currently serves as president, LLBurge&Associates, LLC. He brings leadership through a career of selfless service to our nation, a tenacious capture and insertion of talent through academia, and management and provision for acquisitions, contracts and grant awards for customers. He is keenly aware of the national interest in developing STEM talent for the workforce by his role in supporting a generation of underserved populations for corporate, government and academia. His breadth of experience includes planning, programming and budgeting for national and international venues. Burge is a veteran who placed his footprint on federal, state and higher education in the acquisition and management of resources.

Burge served on the Secretary of Defense and Air Staffs, Pentagon, Washington DC; Division
Chief, Information Security/Communications Security/Computer Security/Cyber Security at National Security Agency, MD; and, Operations Officer for Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects. He retired from the Air Force at the rank of colonel.

Burge is a graduate of the Class of 1967 Douglass High School. He attended Oklahoma State University where he received the BS, MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering. His research interests include signal processing, coding theory, information theory, communications, engineering education, and effective leadership and management. He is a member of several prestigious fraternities and honor societies and the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.

Faye Norton
Heronville Elementary School, Valley Brook Elementary School, Wheeler Elementary School, Capitol Hill Junior High School, Capitol Hill High School

Faye Norton has resided in Oklahoma City nearly her entire life. In addition to being a wife and mother of three, she joined the work force after her youngest started school. While working as a secretary at ABS Enterprises in the mid-70s, she started self-training at night to be an Architectural Hardware Consultant. In 1982, with financial assistance from her brother and others, Norton started her own business, Designer Hardware by Faye, being only the second female-owned company in her industry. She sold her lucrative business in January 2014 but still maintains strong ties to the general manager and staff.

Norton was a member of the core group of five who started the National Decorative Hardware and Plumbing Association. She served on their board for eight years and was chair of their Education Committee for seven. She was also the first woman appointed to the Council of Fellows and currently serves as secretary of the Fellow Scholarship Investment Fund. She was named to The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year, Circle of Excellence after being honored by the program as one of their 50 Making a Difference in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2014, The Journal Record named her as one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs. Her personal mission is to support and encourage growth and development in Oklahoma City, pursue volunteer opportunities and travel.

2018 Wall of Fame Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors — $10,000

EDGE Productions
Cliff and Leslie Hudson
KOCO-TV
Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum
Percy and Becky Kirk
The Skirvin Hilton - Oklahoma City

Platinum Sponsors — $5,000

ADG, PC
American Fidelity Foundation
Claudia San Pedro
Inasmuch Foundation/First National Bank of Oklahoma
Leadership OKC Class 33 & 34
Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores
SONIC, America's Drive-In

Through the Years: Wall of Fame Humanitarian Award Honorees

Bob Barry Sr., 2009	Wanda Jackson, 2013
Rick Bayless, 2018	Wallace Johnson, 2004
Skip Bayless, 2008	Commissioner Willa Johnson, 2015
Dr. William Lee Beasley and Sherry L. Beasley, 2017	Lou Kerr, 2001
G.T. Blankenship, 1999	Eleanor Blake Kirkpatrick, 1990
Ronald E. Bogle, 2016	John Elson Kirkpatrick, 1990
Dr. Legand L. Burge Jr., 2018	Linda Lambert, 2004
Jo Carol Cameron, 2013	Mona Salyer Lambird, 1996
B.C. Clark, Jr., 1998	James Loftis, 2013
Jim C. Clark, 2010	J.W. Mashburn, 2002
Dr. Benton C. Clark III, 2015	Aubrey McClendon, 2011
Richard H. Clements, 1997	The Honorable Vicki Miles-LaGrange, 2006
Andrew M. Coats, 1998	Bobby R. Murcer, 1994
Edward H. Cook, 2014	Donna Nigh, 1997
Wayne Coyne, 2007	Mayor James H. Norick, 1992
Admiral William J. Crowe, 1987	Madalynne Norick, 1992
Edgar Cruz, 2004	Mayor Ronald J. Norick, 1995
James R. Daniel, 2009	Faye Norton, 2018
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, 2012	Paul B. Odom, Jr., 2004
Marion Briscoe DeVore, 1988	Russell M. Perry, 2000
L. Thomas Dulaney Jr., 2008	Paula B. Pretlow, 2016
Rand Elliot, 2011	Allie P. Reynolds, 1994
Dr. Robert S. Ellis, 2000	William J. Ross, 2005
Ralph W. Ellison, 1994	Thom Shanker, 2012
Harvey P. Everest, 1985	Jeanne Hoffman Smith, 2000
David G. Fitzgerald, 2014	Lee Allan Smith, 1989
Kris Frankfurt, 2007	Horace Stevenson, 2014
William Frankfurt, 2007	Lela Bennett Sullivan, 2003
Mex Rodman Frates, 1986	Kathy Taylor, 2015
Rodman Frates, 2006	The Honorable Ralph G. Thompson, 2003
Prentice Gautt, 2012	Erik Logan Toppenberg, 2011
Vince Gill, 2001	Christopher C. Turner, 2003
Alan C. Greenberg, 1993	Marylin Jones Upsher, 2006
Rubye Hibler Hall, 2002	Helen Ford Wallace, 2005
V. Burns Hargis, 2002	Larkin Warner, 2011
Edith Gaylor Harper, 1999	Anthony L. Watson, 2010
Joyce Henderson, 2012	Pete White, 2017
Dannie Bea Hightower, 2001	Thurman V. White Jr., 2017
Carolyn Hill, 2008	A. Max Weitzenhoffer, Jr., 2010
Sarah Hogan, 1999	Mason Williams, 2016
J. Clifford Hudson, 2009	Stanton L. Young, 1991
Kirk Humphreys, 2007

Events

Events

Wall of Fame

November 18, 2019

2018 Honorees

2018 Wall of Fame Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors — $10,000

Platinum Sponsors — $5,000

Gold Sponsors — $3,500

Silver Sponsors — $1,500

Bronze Sponsors — $500

Through the Years: Wall of Fame Humanitarian Award Honorees