Larry Nichols, 2012

Leaving a promising Washington, D.C. law career behind for the oil fields of Oklahoma, Larry Nichols promised his father, John, two years. More than four decades later, the company Larry and John founded, Devon Energy, has raised Oklahoma City to new heights, all on bedrocks of integrity and love of home. 
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Mary Beth Babcock, 2011

A little Perle Mesta, a dash of Vinita Cravens, a touch of Aunt Eller, and 100 percent original Okie, Mary Beth Babcock, our 2011 Oklahoman of the Year, is doing more than her part to make Oklahoma a little brighter. At her Tulsa store, Dwelling Spaces, she has been a tireless advocate of the arts, providing a launching pad for endeavors such as This Land Press, Booksmart Tulsa, and Public Arts Project 66. This unabashed cheerleader for all things Oklahoma decided that since art feeds the soul, she would feed the art. 
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Kevin Durant, 2010

Twenty-two-year-olds who own property in Gaillardia, one of Oklahoma City’s most exclusive neighborhoods, are a rarity. The star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder does. And he even hopes the kids down the street will come knocking. Oklahoman of the Year—and NBA MVP heir apparent—Kevin Durant is proud to call Oklahoma home. Thunder up! 
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Dr. Ramona Paul, 2009

Dr. Ramona Paul of Edmond conceived of Oklahoma’s early childhood education program in 1980. Today, in part because of the enthusiastic leadership of two state superintendents and equally supportive legislatures, it is considered the nation’s model for educating our youngest students. Here, she is photographed with pre-K students at Clyde Howell Elementary School in Edmond. 
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Clay Bennett, 2008

As chairman of Oklahoma’s first and only major-league franchise, Clayton I. Bennett commands a monster storm the likes of which Oklahoma has never seen, the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball team. 
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Vince Gill, 2007

Vince Gill hears the music. It’s been spinning in his head ever since he was a boy growing up in Oklahoma City, head propped against the back of the divan, guitar across his chest, legs stretched out almost to the floor, strumming for hours at a time until his mother finally asked him to stop that “dinging” and play a song.
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Mike Larsen, 2006

According to legend, Native Americans refused to be photographed out of a belief that the image could steal their souls. Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen, then, is in the business of painting souls. Using canvas and oil paint rather than celluloid and flashbulbs, Larsen has spent the majority of his life capturing the essence of his subjects one brush stroke at a time. 
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