Class of 2026

A life-long resident of Woodward and graduate of Oklahoma State University, Bruce T. Benbrook has served as the chairman and CEO of Stock Exchange Bank since 1981. His extensive history of public service includes chairing the OSU Board of Regents, the Oklahoma Bankers Association, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, alongside two terms as a State Highway Commissioner. Benbrook's contributions to the state have earned him numerous accolades, including inductions into the Oklahoma Bankers Association and OSU Halls of Fame. Beyond his professional and civic leadership with organizations like the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the YMCA of the Rockies, he remains deeply committed to his community and his family, including his wife Sheryl and their two daughters.

Born in 1948 and raised in the Cherokee community of Bell, Oklahoma, Dwight W. Birdwell is a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. For his extraordinary bravery in combat, his military honors were culminated in 2022 with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Following his service, Birdwell earned degrees with academic distinction from Northeastern State University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law, later serving on the Cherokee Nation’s Supreme Court for over a decade. Currently a practicing attorney and Cherokee Nation Gaming Commissioner, he has been inducted into both the Oklahoma Military and Native American Halls of Fame. Birdwell lives in Oklahoma with Virginia, his wife of 57 years, with whom he shares two children and two grandchildren.

Since joining the University of Oklahoma in 1998, Joe Castiglione has established himself as a premier architect of collegiate athletics, leading the Sooners to 26 national championships and 117 conference titles. His tenure is marked by transformative facility upgrades, record-breaking fundraising, and strategic leadership that secured the university's historic move to the SEC. Beyond campus, Castiglione has served as a vital national voice on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and various NCAA committees, earning a reputation for integrity and innovation. As he prepares to transition to Athletics Director Emeritus following the 2025–2026 academic year, his legacy remains defined by a relentless commitment to student-athlete success and competitive excellence.

A native Oklahoman and summa cum laude graduate of Oklahoma Christian College, Sherri Coale transitioned from a successful playing career to a legendary coaching tenure that spanned 25 years at the University of Oklahoma. After winning two state championships at Norman High School, she revitalized the OU program, leading the Sooners to 19 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, ten conference titles, and three Final Fours. Her international success includes leading Team USA to a gold medal in 2015, contributing to her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Beyond the court, Coale is a published author of two books, a sought-after leadership consultant, and a 2026 honorary doctorate recipient from the University of Oklahoma. She remains active in the academic community as a trustee for Oklahoma Christian University and enjoys life with her husband, Dane, and their growing family.

Ann Felton Gilliland has dedicated over 30 years to revolutionizing affordable housing in Oklahoma, serving as the visionary chair and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. Under her leadership, the organization evolved from a modest operation into a national leader, constructing more than 1,161 energy-efficient homes for limited-income families. Gilliland’s commitment began in 1990, including 12 years of service as an unpaid volunteer before she transitioned to a full-time executive role in 2002. Her background in philanthropy and civic engagement has fueled Habitat’s expansion to include home repairs, ReStores, and broader community development initiatives. A dedicated mother and grandmother, she remains a prominent civic leader across the arts, education, and healthcare sectors, leaving a profound legacy of stability and hope for generations of Oklahomans.

Raised in Dallas and a pioneering female systems engineer at IBM, Ann Hargis has dedicated her career to fostering well-being and civic progress across Oklahoma. During her tenure as the First Lady of Oklahoma State University, she transformed the role into a platform for health and wellness, spearheading the America’s Healthiest Campus™ initiative and co-founding Pete’s Pet Posse, the nation’s most comprehensive university pet therapy program. Her service extends beyond the university through appointments by three governors to various statewide boards in education and the arts, as well as leadership within the OSU Ann Hargis Center for Pet Therapy. Recognized with honors such as The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year and an honorary doctorate from OSU, Hargis remains a compassionate advocate for student success and community connection alongside her husband, Burns.

Mary F. McCormick, of Seminole, Sac and Fox, and Creek descent, rose from a dedicated student at Seminole Junior College and the University of Oklahoma to become a pivotal leader as the Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation. Throughout her distinguished career in tribal government and Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity, she prioritized economic development and the restoration of tribal lands, successfully securing a $3.5 million settlement and reclaiming significant portions of the original reservation. Her leadership not only addressed environmental damages from oil companies but also ensured essential resources like clean drinking water for her community. A lifelong advocate for Native American programs and a descendant of tribal chiefs, McCormick remains an active civic leader in Seminole, where she continues to serve on the board of the Seminole Historical Society.

Elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1975, Ross O. Swimmer transformed the Tribe’s governance into a democratic system while driving unprecedented economic growth and infrastructure development, including the construction of community centers and water projects. His leadership extended to numerous state boards under Governors Bellmon and Nigh, as well as significant roles at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the University of Tulsa. Swimmer’s influence reached a national scale through his work in the Department of the Interior under Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush, where he authored the Indian Gaming Act and served as the first Special Trustee for American Indians. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law, his career remains a testament to his dual commitment to tribal sovereignty and federal Indian policy.