Class of 2026 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – MAY 21, 2026 – During a luncheon at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum today, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2026 Honorees who will receive the state's highest honor this November. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member J.C. Watts, Jr. and Board Member D. Scott Petty served as Masters of Ceremony. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member Martha Burger provided the invocation.
The Honorees in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are:
- Bruce T. Benbrook, Woodward, banker and community leader whose support of organizations across the state has touched the lives of countless Oklahomans
- Dwight W. Birdwell, Bell, military veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, practicing attorney and public servant of the Cherokee Nation
- Joseph R. Castiglione, Norman, nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics known for building the University of Oklahoma's renowned sports program
- Sherri Coale, Healdton, leadership consultant and University of Oklahoma women's basketball coach who has worked with athletes at high school, collegiate, and Olympic levels
- Ann Felton Gilliland, Oklahoma City, transformational advocate for affordable housing in Oklahoma, chair and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
- Ann W. Hargis, Oklahoma City, one of the first female Systems Engineers for IBM, a remarkable leader in higher education at Oklahoma State University
- Mary F. McCormick, Seminole, Native American advocate who served as Principal Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation and focused on economic development for her Tribe
- Ross O. Swimmer, Tulsa, Native American leader who served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and an advisor for Tribal policy at the state and national level
Shannon L. Rich, President & CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, shared her excitement for this year's class of Honorees:
"These remarkable individuals represent every corner of our state, and they each demonstrate the incredible spirit that makes Oklahoma and its people so special. We cannot wait to celebrate the impact they have made in this 99th year of presenting Oklahoma's Highest Honor. These are the stories that continue to inspire a bright future for our state."
The Class of 2026 will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 12 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Tickets to the 99th Annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be available to the public starting at the end of August at www.oklahomahof.com.
For information about purchasing a table at the Induction Ceremony or making a nomination for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, contact Melissa Brown, Director of Board & Inductee Relations at 405.523.3209 or mbrown@oklahomahof.com.
MEDIA KIT
Photos of this year's Honorees.
Class of 2026 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honoree Bios.pdf
PDF - 224 Kb
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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame tells Oklahoma’s story through its people. From diverse statewide programming to the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the organization creates an enhanced sense of pride for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor extraordinary Oklahomans and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is recognized as Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. For more information, visit www.oklahomahof.com.
