View Full Version : 25th Annual Dean A. McGee Awards - Honorees announced



CaseyCornett
04-05-2011, 12:47 PM
(via The Oklahoman)
"Dean A. McGee Award winners announced by Downtown Oklahoma City Inc."

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: April 5, 2011

Retired Oklahoma City University President Tom McDaniel will be the top honoree at the 25th annual Dean A. McGee Awards hosted by Downtown Oklahoma City Inc.

Others being honored include James Meade, board member with the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and St. Anthony Hospital.

Ceremonies will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. May 19 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, followed by a dinner and awards presentation at 7 p.m.

“The visionary leadership these three honorees have shown through the years exemplifies extraordinary dedication to the city we are proud to call home,” said 2011 Dean A. McGee Co-Chair Kathy Williams. “Oklahoma City's current residents and future generations greatly benefit from the actions and decisions made by Tom, James and St. Anthony Hospital, (for) which we are all grateful.”

Passion for downtown
The Dean A. McGee Award recognizes individuals for a lifetime of contributions to downtown Oklahoma City. Its namesake chaired Kerr-McGee Corp. for two decades and was passionate about developing downtown for future generations.

McDaniel spent the early part of his career working under McGee at Kerr-McGee, which was based downtown until the company was acquired by Houston-based Anadarko Petroleum in 2006. More recently, McDaniel led Oklahoma City University as president and helped organize the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta on the Oklahoma River.

As OCU president, McDaniel reached a $50 million goal five months early to help fund the Devon Boathouse on the Oklahoma River. McDaniel currently chairs the MAPS III Citizens Advisory Committee.

The Stanley Draper Award is named after longtime chamber executive Stanley Draper and is presented for community excellence by an outstanding staff or volunteer of a nonprofit group or nonelected government employee who has made a lasting positive change for downtown.

As president of the Board of Trustees of the newly created Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Meade envisioned a bright future in downtown for what was originally a two-site museum. With limited financial assistance and resources, Meade was a leader in bringing the two entities together to become the cornerstone of downtown's Arts District.

Sharing the vision
The Neal Horton Award is presented to a visionary who creates a renaissance in the urban core. It is named after Neal Horton, who helped Bricktown become the energetic entertainment destination it is today.

Only a few years ago, the only commerce remaining along the northern edge of downtown was St. Anthony Hospital.

Rather than moving, the hospital decided to stay and commit itself to rejuvenating the neighborhood with new capital investment totaling $220 million.

“These three inspiring honorees greatly deserve the recognition they will be receiving at this year's event,” said 2011 Co-Chairman Dave Lopez. “The awards are named after three men who shaped and molded Oklahoma City in their time, and much like Tom, James and St. Anthony Hospital are doing for the city today. These three honorees have set examples of community, selflessness and servitude. They exemplify the community leadership spirit of the Dean A. McGee Awards.”

For more information about obtaining tickets to the ceremonies, call 235-3500 or email rsvp@downtownokc.com. Seating is limited.
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