Milestones Magazine

Original architecture boosts OKC’s image

EEvery project we complete is a mile‐stone. A chance to reflect on the process and the outcome, from our first meeting to the punch list. It’s our client’s sense of accomplishment and the media attention it earns. (And, long term, will continue to earn.)

The Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center was featured on the series, “How Did They Build That?”

A building’s stakeholders are wide‐ranging. Many people see architecture as a vital reflection of the culture –local sensibilities and sophis‐tication. We know our work exerts an influence on the perception of OKC and its culture.

The luxe travel magazine, Island, features a new, exten‐sive review of Downtown OKC’s tunnel system, The Underground. (In 2006, Rand Elliott Architects turned a sparing budget into an attraction.) The London‐based travel writer describes OKC as “an artsy cowboy cul‐ture destination with afford‐able prices.” It’s gratifying to see what the efforts of our whole city have done to ele‐vate opinions.

Recent unexpected media play includes the Southern Living magazine feature, headlined “Pops is the Best Stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma, According to our Readers.” It’s a valuable endorsement, particularly given with the approaching Route 66 Centennial celebra‐tion in 2026. (Pops opened in 2007.)

Also unexpected was a call

from the Smithsonian Channel in London with plans to feature our project, Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center, in an episode of its popular series “How Did They Build That?” One installment (Season 3, Episode 3) pairs OCAC and OKC with Frank Gehry’s new building in Sydney and the ambitious new Amazon headquarters in downtown Seattle.

OK Contemporary’s “Folding Light,” as the build‐ing is called, has been fea‐tured on seven magazine covers. Perhaps the unlikeli‐est is landing on the cover of Texas Architect

Looking Ahead

Our next milestones are lining up now with the Uncommon Ground sculp‐ture park in Edmond, includ‐ing a performance venue and observation tower; an expan‐sion of Star Spencer High School (our first public school work), and the flat‐iron‐inspired (triangular) Berry Rock building on a high visibility site at the east‐ern gateway to Downtown OKC.

‑‑ Rand Elliott Architects

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Oklahoma City Zoo offers an adventure like no other as you connect with the world’s wildlife! Page 10.

Every project Rand Elliott Architects completes is a mile‑ stone. Page 2.

Throughout the years, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic has performed a diverse selec‑ tion of music with many differ‑ ent stars. Page 6.

Citizens Bank of Edmond has a long history of being deeply local and community‑focused,

with 95% of its deposits being loaned back to the local com‑ munity. Page 7.

As of 2023, the Inasmuch Foundation provides an aver‑ age of $25 million plus in grants per fiscal year. Page 12.

Upward Transitions cele‑ brates centennial with a grand American Tourist gala. Page 14.

On the Cover:

Oklahoma City Community College remains dedicated to providing accessible, afford‑ able, high‑quality education that equips students to achieve personal and professional goals. Pages 4 & 5.

Many different stars take the stage with OKCPHIL

TTracing its roots back to the city’s first professional orchestra in 1924, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic formed in 1988 under the musical direction of Joel Levine with the help of dedicated civic leaders and corpo‐rations.

In 2018, Alexander Mickelthwate was named the second music director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Throughout the years, the orches‐tra has performed a diverse selection of music with many different stars. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic has appeared on PBS with Michael Martin Murphey in a performance titled “Sagebrush Symphony” for the nationally‐syndicated program

“Austin City Limits.” Kathie Lee Gifford chose the OKC PHIL to per‐form for her internationally broadcast CBS Christmas special “Just in Time for Christmas.”

Guest artists have included Itzhak Perlman, Amy Grant, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Tony Bennett, Olivia Newton‐John, Bebe Neuwirth, Sir James Galway, Chris Botti, Renee Fleming and most recently Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara, Pink Martini and Ben Folds.

In September 2001, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic opened its season in the newly renovated Civic Center Music Hall. One of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), this $52.2 mil‐

lion renovation saw the complete reconstruction of the performance chamber into the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre. The theatre is transformable from a concert hall into a Broadway theatre house and maintains state‐of‐the‐art acoustics in any configuration.

Throughout its history, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic has maintained a strong commitment to enhancing music education. Through a variety of education programs, the OKC PHIL impacts more than 35,000 individuals annually.

For more, visit okcphil.org. For information on the 2025‐26 concert season, see Page 16.

Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate conducts the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Citizens Bank of Edmond is committed to community

CCitizens Bank of Edmond, estab‐lished in 1901, is Edmond's oldest surviving banking business and the oldest continuously operating bank in the Oklahoma City metro.

It began as Citizens' State Bank and was originally located on the west side of Broadway. In 1968, it moved to its current headquarters at the northeast corner of East First and Broadway.

The bank has a long history of being deeply local and community‐focused, with 95% of its deposits being loaned back to the local com‐munity.

Here's a more detailed look at Citizens Bank of Edmond's history:

Citizens Bank of Edmond has a long history of being deeply local and community-focused, with 95% of its deposits being loaned back to the local community.

1901: Citizens Bank of Edmond (then Citizens' State Bank) opens as Edmond's first community bank. 1968: The bank relocates to its current headquarters.

1981: The bank is officially named Citizens Bank of Edmond.

2000s: The bank continues to evolve, becoming known for

its commitment to local community development and economic growth.

Present day: Citizens Bank of Edmond is an employee‐owned institution with a focus on personalized service and community involvement. The bank is also known for its innovative initiatives, such as the Heard on Hurd food truck and music festival, the Vault 405 co‐working space and the ROGER digital banking platform for military serv‐ice members.

23rd Street Antique Mall:

The 23rd Street Antique Mall has been in business in one form or another since 1989. Thirty‐four years! Founded on a life‐long love for history and fine antiques, the store thrives on the personal touch that owners Bill and Denny McConnell bring to its daily operation. They have assembled a high number of quality antique dealers.

This is not your typ‐ical flea market or junk shop, but rather some of the finest antique shopping you will find in this region of the country!

Chickasaw Nation:

The Chickasaw Nation is economically strong, cultural‐ly vibrant and full of energetic people still dedicated to the preservation of family, community and heritage. Since the 1980s, tribal government has focused most of its efforts on building an economically diverse base to generate funds that will support pro‐grams and services to Chickasaws, other First Americans and our communities. Business has flour‐ished, programs and services have grown, and the quality of life for all Chickasaws has been greatly enhanced.

As in times past, the Chickasaw work ethic is very much a part of everyday life today. Monies generated in business are divided between investments for further diversification of enterprises and support of tribal government opera‐tions, programs and services for Indian people. This unique system is key to the Chickasaw Nation’s efforts to pursue self‐sufficiency and self‐determination, which helps ensure that Chickasaws stay a united and thriving people.

A wild summer starts at the OKC Zoo!

TThe Oklahoma City Zoo offers an adventure like no other as you connect with the world’s wildlife!

Explore Expedition Africa, the Zoo’s latest and largest‐ever expansion. This impressive undertaking shines a new spot‐light on the Zoo’s African animal family, from the beloved pride of African lions and engaging herd of giraffes to the colony of naked mole rats and mobs of meerkats and dwarf mongooses.

The centerpiece of Expedition Africa is the renovated Love’s Pachyderm Building, home to reptiles, fish, and small mammals native to Africa. It’s also where guests will find a commemorative statue (coming this summer) of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” singer Gayla Peevey and Matilda, the Zoo’s first hippopotamus, purchased with donations from children across Oklahoma.

Giraffe, lorikeet, and rhino feedings plus stingray touching experiences, make every visit to the OKC Zoo more memorable.

The OKC Zoo also boasts an exhibit unique to our great state, Oklahoma Trails. This naturalistic habitat features grizzly and black bears, bison, elk, and otter, plus 11 unique life zones, includ‐ing the grassy Black Mesa and the rolling Ozark Highlands. Then trek to Sanctuary Asia, the Zoo’s nearly 7‐acre sanctuary space for endangered ani‐

mals from Asia, to see Asian ele‐phants, red pandas and Komodo dragons, then enjoy a tasty bite at the Lotus Café.

But there’s more than just see‐ing wildlife from across the globe with the Zoo’s rides and animal encounters. Giraffe, lorikeet, and rhino feedings plus stingray touching experiences, making every visit more memorable. Caretaker Chats are included in general admission and a great way to learn more about the Zoo’s animals from the experts caring for them.

The best way to see the Zoo is as a ZOOfriends member. A ZOOfriends membership includes free general admission for a full year, in‐park sav‐ings, and discounts on select special events tickets. The OKC Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Purchase tickets and plan your day at okczoo.org.

Nichols Hills UMC: OKC Museum of Art:

Nichols Hills United Methodist Church is an active and growing church that is excited about welcoming new people into our fellowship. If you are looking for a church that offers ministry for people of all ages, cares about the people in our community, and celebrates our faith in Jesus Christ through joyful worship services, then we may be the church for you. We invite you to come and be our guest!

With a rich history that dates to the 1940s, Nichols Hills United Methodist Church is continuing to be in min‐istry to the people of Oklahoma County and beyond.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is one of the leading arts institutions in the region.

The museum presents a dynamic range of exhibi‐tions organized from prestigious museums and collec‐tions throughout the world. The museum’s own diverse collection features highlights from North America, Europe, and Asia, with particular strengths in American art and postwar abstraction.

The permanent collection also boasts one of the world’s largest public collections of Dale Chihuly glass, a major collection of photography by Brett Weston, and the definitive museum collection of works by the Washington Color painter Paul Reed. The museum’s renowned Samuel Roberts Noble Theater screens the finest international, independent, docu‐mentary, and classic films.

Museum amenities include the Museum Store and the Roof Terrace. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors.

The museum serves over 100,000 visitors annually from all fifty states and thirty foreign countries.

Inasmuch gives back

TThe Inasmuch Foundation is a grant‐mak‐ing foundation which pro‐vides financial contributions within the community and civic engagement, educa‐tion, human services and journalism fields.

Grantmaking within com‐munity and civic engage‐ment, education, and human services is specific to non‐profit organizations serving Oklahoma City.

Grants within the journal‐ism focus area are open to organizations nationwide. The organization adminis‐ters an open request cycle each fall and spring, as well as an invitation‐only grant cycle in the summer.

Edith Kinney Gaylord established Inasmuch Foundation and Ethics and

Excellence in Journalism Foundation in 1982 as two separate entities, and in 2014, the corporate entities merged and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation became a whol‐ly‐owned subsidiary of Inasmuch Foundation. The transition was completed in 2020 with the launch of a new, consolidated brand and website.

In 2023, Inasmuch Foundation reached an inflection point with the dis‐tribution of more than $350 million in grants, an amount that surpasses founder Edith Kinney Gaylord’s orig‐inal contributions to Inasmuch Foundation. That same year, Inasmuch released a 40th Anniversary Report with details on the past, present and future of the organization.

Myriad Gardens Executive and Community Boards member Chris Fleming, right, presents Inasmuch Foundation President and CEO Bob Ross, left, with the Crystal Orchid Award and Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park President and CEO Maureen Heffernan in back. The Tropical Splendor Gala revealed the renovated conservatory at the Myriad Gardens and announced that it has been renamed the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory.

As of 2023, Inasmuch Foundation provides an average of $25 million plus in grants per fiscal year. Additionally, the endow‐ment has grown to a current value of more than $550 million.

Rich Warren, Court Clerk: Science Museum Oklahoma:

Oklahoma County Court Clerk, Rick Warren, presides over the largest, and busiest, Court Clerk's office in the state. Approximately 120,000 new court cases are filed in Oklahoma County annually, more than any other state, local or federal court in Oklahoma.

The court clerk office’s mission is to provide efficient, accurate and open records maintenance; information management and fis‐cal services to the public, and effi‐cient administration of justice; our greatest satisfaction is in the serv‐ices it provides.

Warren was the winner of the 2020 general election and the incumbent. He was also the win‐ner of the 2020 and 2024 primary elections.

Science Museum Oklahoma, the state's premier destination for family fun, houses more than eight acres of hands‐on science experiences with thousands of space, aviation and cultural artifacts in the mix. From traveling beyond the Milky Way in the Love's Planetarium and the explosive fun of Science Live to discovering where the familiar meets the fantastical in CurioCity, the museum allows your inner‐child to run wild.

The Love’s Planetarium at Science Museum Oklahoma daz‐zles with its custom technology, featuring a hybrid optical and digi‐tal projection system for a true‐to‐life night sky. This system uses high‐intensity LEDs and fiber optics to display around 8 million stars, recreating the Milky Way with exceptional detail. Visitors can explore history, stories and discoveries through vivid pro‐jections of constellations, the sun, moon and planets.

Upward Transitions took its annual American Tourist event to a new level to celebrate the centennial of the organization. The organization exists to help end generational poverty. Above: Leslie Lynn (standing) and Starla Lang (seated), both of the Lynn Institute at the gala.

Upward Transitions Board of Directors President Brandon Kemp and his wife Allie. The American Tourist event included wine and jewelry pulls, live and silent auctions and performances by the Justin

Echols Trio.

Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Health Dr. Charles Grim, left, and Periann Pulliam, president and CEO of Upward Transitions, present the Inspiring Hope Award to Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.

Enjoying the 20s-themed event are, from left, Shane and Kimberly Pate and Ashlee and John Symcox.

- Photos by Rose Lane