Features
Arts and Entertainment-Marcello Angelini
Now in his 15th year as artistic director for Tulsa Ballet, Angelini continues to boost the international reputation of the local organization. In 2009, the company twice shattered its ticket sales record, the first in February for Cinderella, and the second for the 2009-2010 season opener, Dracula. In August, Tulsa Ballet completed a weeklong residency at New York’s famed Joyce Theater, selling out five of seven shows. New York audiences and critics were delighted by the versatility of Tulsa Ballet’s dancers. For Angelini, the icing on the cake was seeing the “Standing Room Only” sign hanging in the box office of Joyce Theater.
Honorable Mention: In 2009, the Oklahoma City Ballet bounced back from a near collapse the year before, and is currently in the middle of a successful season.
Ambassador-
The Flaming Lips
Oklahoma’s very own fearless freaks were hard at work in 2009 promoting their new CD, Embryonic, as well as enhancing the state’s image through concerts and national public appearances. An executive order signed in April by Gov. Brad Henry proclaimed The Lips’ song, “Do You Realize??” off of their 2002 gold album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, to be the state’s official rock song. The band members were also outspoken proponents of ACM@UCO, a school of rock – the first of its kind in the nation – that opened this past year in Bricktown.
Honorable Mention: Country superstar Carrie Underwood used her star power for good to stress the importance of music being taught in schools by donating instruments to her hometown of Checotah, Okla.
Health-Robert C. Poe
In 2009, Tulsa had a potential healthcare disaster on its hands when faced with the closing of the OSU Medical Center, whose emergency room alone served some 44,000 patients annually, many of whom did not have insurance or could not afford healthcare.
“The rest of the (Tulsa) hospital system could not have effectively absorbed the 44,000 ER patients,” says Robert Poe, a retired banker and engineer and healthcare advocate.
With the help of state and local leadership, Poe spearheaded efforts to keep the teaching hospital open. The hospital’s ownership was passed from Ardent Oklahoma to the OSU Medical Center Trust, of which Poe was the chairman.
Education-Tracy McDaniel
As founder and principal of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Reach College Preparatory in Oklahoma City, Tracy McDaniel has seen the effects of a good education on inner city school kids. Under his leadership, students of the charter middle school – 80 percent are low-income and 90 percent are African-American or Latino – have excelled academically, far outpacing their fellow public school peers in math and reading proficiency.
“We take pride in the caliber of students we cultivate at our school,” McDaniel says. “We have an extended school day that offers our students opportunities for not only remediation, but also opportunities to become competitive academically on a national platform.”
In 2009, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett commended McDaniel and KIPP for their efforts.
“What KIPP is accomplishing in Oklahoma and across the nation is extraordinary,” Garrett said in her commendation. “(It proves) that higher expectations lead to higher results.”
Business and Economic Development-
The Citizens of OKC
It started in 1993 with voters approving a sales tax that would help fund capital improvements to downtown Oklahoma City. In December 2009, voters said yes to a third MAPS proposal, which will continue the MAPS tax to provide funding for a 70-acre park that will connect downtown OKC to the Oklahoma River, a rail-based streetcar system, a downtown convention center and miles of sidewalk, bicycle trails and other improvements. The MAPS 3 project is expected to raise $777 million over the next seven years, and the economic impact of the project is expected to be wide ranging.
Honorable Mention: As director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Jill Simpson attracted large film productions into the state in 2009, bringing notoriety to Oklahoma in the film industry and significant revenue to the state. Simpson is also lobbying the Oklahoma legislature to enhance tax incentives offered to movie producers.
Preservation-The Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation has made great strides tin preserving historic sites across the state associated with their culture and heritage. The newly restored Cherokee National Supreme Court building, built in 1844 and left vacant in 1994, was completed in 2009. The Nation is currently working on several other key projects, including the Cherokee National Capitol Building, Cherokee National Jail and Ross Cemetery.
Honorable Mention: The team who completed the restoration of The Mayo Hotel saved an historic downtown Tulsa icon from the wrecking ball while creating a boon to downtown economic development. William Welge, director of research for the Oklahoma Historical Society, has worked on numerous preservation projects in 2009, including saving portions of downtown Oklahoma City’s Huckins Hotel.
Philanthropy-
The Givers
In a year marked with economic turmoil and a tightening of purse strings, Oklahoma’s philanthropists – both large and small – continued their generous contributions to causes ranging from the arts and education to health care and social services. Oklahomans are frequently ranked among the most generous people in the country, and the state is home to numerous foundations overseeing the distribution of millions of dollars for the greater good. While most charities tightened their belts and prepared to cut back services, many have been pleasantly surprised to find donors stepping forward with bigger gifts and new ones looking for ways to help.
Sports-Tulsa Tough
It was a banner year for cycle enthusiasts in the state as the annual Tulsa Tough tournament experienced major growth and national recognition from the cycling community. A six-person planning committee – comprised of cycling enthusiasts Malcolm McCollam, Chris Zenthoefer, Marc Delametter, Jim Beach and Tim Carrigg and Tulsa Sports Commission executive director Mike Dodson – saw their event gain national prominence as an official race for USA Cycling for the second year in a row. Former Tour de France superstar Floyd Landis joined his pro cycling teammates at this year’s event, bringing major league weight to the fourth annual event.
“2009’s success was an extension of the growing support and awareness of the event,” says Zenthoefer. “We’ve stayed focused on executing a world-class event that engages a wide variety of participants and fulfills our mission of promoting healthy lifestyles.”
