JULY/AUGUST 2019 ionOK.com Glen Johnson honored with national award Express Employment Richest people on earth Professionals Survey Artisan Botanical Marathon runner Youth Leadership Oklahoma State Fair coming Sept. 12-16 Lifestyle … Culture … Entertainment Excellence is standard Everything else is custom. Schedule Jo for a no cost 1-hour consultation. publisher : Don Swift assistant : Joni Yeager editor : Tim Farley editiorial assistant : Darian Woolbright videographer : Jeremy Gossett director of photography : Michael Downes web site developer : Patrick Moore with Set Sail Media web site developer : Nina Jones, Data Design Inc. illustration : Rosemary Burke graphic design : Wendy Mills Advertising Sales Don Swift Photographers Jeremy Gossett Hugh Scott, Jr. Tracy Reece Jerry Hymer Advertising Consultants Peter Preksto Contributors fashion : Linda Miller art : Joy Reed Belt people : Peggy Gandy social issues : Robbie Robertson community : Lauren Wright contributing writer : Sandi Davis contributing writer : Greg Horton contributing writer : M.A. Smith contributing writer : M. J. Van Deventer contributing writer : Julie York contributing writer : Dorian Quillen contributing writer : Kristen Marckmann 12 Contents COVER STORY 12 Glen Johnson receives high honor Cover photo of Glen Johnson courtesy Distinctly Oklahoma by Tim Farley REVIEW 56 The Richest People on Earth, Murdered and Swindled by Jane Goodspeed ART 22 Moore wins coveted Prix de West Purchase Award by M.J. Van Deventer 28 Works of Art: Exhibit showcases 28 Native American Veterans PEOPLE 18 Artisan Botanical by Tim Farley 44 One Mile at a Time: Edmond Memorial teacher has run marathons on the seven continents by Kristen Marckmann 50 Draft Horse Express Lane 18 52 Jose Vega: Learning kindness from hate by Garland McWatters 74 Yukon teen will address Congress by Mindy Ragan Wood 76 Woman shares years of heart-breaking losses at Calm Waters event by Linda Miller 78 Native American artist Joshua Garrett by Bill O’Brien 8 ion Oklahoma JULY/AUGUST 2019 52 LEADERSHIP 52 Jose Vega: Learning kindness from hate by Garland McWatters 64 Youth Leadership Program Ignites Oklahoma’s Future by Tamara Hermen TRAVEL 30 Great balls of fire: Jerry Lee Lewis’ home is open for tours 56 30 by Linda Miller BUSINESS 60 Survey: Despite the Risks, Employees’ Password Changing Habits Are Lax FASHION 26 Say Yes to the dress by Linda Miller EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT 40 August in the Myriad Gardensl 47 The Voice contestants part of rodeo entertainment: Lazy V Pasture Festival begins Aug. 30 by Kristen Marckmann 47 70 Citizen Potawatomi Nation to present Third Annual Firelake Fireflight Balloon Fest SPORTS 34 OU Sooners 2019 Football Schedule 35 OSU Cowboys 2019 Football Schedule 36 TU Golden Hurricane 2019 Football Schedule 37 UCO Bronchos 2019 Football Schedule 38 Oklahoma Energy 2019 Schedule JULY/AUGUST 2019 ion Oklahoma 9 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Welcome to the world of ion Oklahoma Online Magazine. It’s all about Oklahoma People, Events, and Lifestyle. The summer months in Oklahoma have many wonderful opportunities for short family weekend trips to enjoy. As many already know, exciting plans are in the works for the next big project for downtown Oklahoma City. Maps 4 projects are being presented now to the Mayor and City Council Members. These projects can again elevate the status Of Oklahoma City to a major league city at a much lower cost of living. With most of the Maps 3 projects nearing their completion I am sure you will agree Oklahoma City has become a real bustling downtown area like never before. The mid town area and uptown area are both experiencing a noticeable renaissance like has been seen since the 1950-60’s. At ion Oklahoma Magazine we want to write feature stories about the quality affordable lifestyle advantages Oklahomans enjoy by making Oklahoma their home. The NextGen under 30 award recognition program in its ninth year will again be honoring young talented Oklahomans in 17 different career categories on November 15, 2019. Please visit www.nextenunder30.com and nominate oklahoma anyone you know and think worthy of winning this award. The mission is to encourage young Oklahomans early in their careers to continue living in Oklahoma while pursing their dreams, careers and starting their families. Ion Oklahoma Magazine want to publish those stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Oklahoma. Please contact us if you have those stories. “Like” us on facebook facebook.com/pages/IonOklahoma-Online Follow us on twitter @IonOklahoma Sincerely, Don Swift, Publisher, www.ionok.com 10 ion Oklahoma JULY/AUGUST 2019 MIDLAND SCOTTY McCREERY COVER STORY Glen Johnson receives national award BY TIM FARLEY national education award presented to Oklahoma A Chancellor of Higher Education Glen D. Johnson left the former legislator and longtime Oklahoman feeling proud and humbled. “I really accepted the award on behalf of our entire state higher education system,” he said. “The award was meaningful because it came from my colleagues across the nation.” Johnson received the State Higher Education Executive Officers’ (SHEEO) Exceptional Leader Award at the national association’s annual meeting on July 16. Johnson and the regents for Oklahoma’s Higher Education system oversee numerous regional colleges and universities that include Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Northeastern, East Central University and Robert E. Anderson, left, SHEEO President and Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Exceptional Leader Award is presented to a current state higher education executive officer from a member agency that has shown exceptional Johnson received the State Higher leadership, a commitment to higher education, a Education Executive Officers’ (SHEEO) contribution to the greater good, and service to the Exceptional Leader Award at the national SHEEO association. The award recipient is selected association’s annual meeting on July 16 by peer system-heads from across the nation, and 12 ion Oklahoma JULY/AUGUST 2019 Left to right, State Regent Steven W. Taylor; Melinda Johnson; Chancellor Glen D. Johnson; Robert E. Anderson, SHEEO President. it is the organization’s highest individual honor. “Chancellor Johnson has shown tireless leadership in “We congratulate Chancellor Glen Johnson for receiving his pursuit to be sure each student in Oklahoma has SHEEO’s Exceptional Leader Award. Glen has provided access to a quality postsecondary education. In addition to more than 36 years of public service to the State of his critical role in Oklahoma education, I have seen the Oklahoma, including over 23 years of state and national impact he has had on our region and across the nation service in higher education leadership roles,” said State through his work with the Southern Regional Education Regent Jay Helm. “As chief executive officer for the Board and the State Higher Education Executive Officers. Oklahoma state system of higher education, he has served While the world will celebrate his body of work, I know Glen in leadership roles for SHEEO, the Southern Regional sees his magnum opus as the individual students whose Education Board, the American Association for State lives are better today.” Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Governing Constantine W. Curris, president emeritus, American Boards of Universities and Colleges. A tireless and Association of State Colleges and Universities, further effective advocate for Oklahoma students and the public praised Chancellor Johnson. colleges and universities that serve them, his numerous “Glen Johnson, from my viewpoint, is one of the most contributions to the state of Oklahoma and the effective higher education leaders in the country. The role advancement of our higher education system are of chief executives of both coordination councils and invaluable.” system boards is perhaps the most demanding in all Stephen Pruitt, president of the Southern Regional higher education; these leaders must effectively navigate Education Board, had high words of praise for Johnson. policy and programmatic issues between governing bodies JULY/AUGUST 2019 ionOklahoma 13 Left to right, Robert E. Anderson, SHEEO President; Chancellor Glen D. Johnson; State Regent Justice Steven W. Taylor. and campus constituencies. Glen’s background, both as a college. More than 85,000 students have used the program university president and former Speaker of the Oklahoma since 1992. In 2017, the Oklahoma Legislature developed a House of Representatives, has given him incisive insights permanent funding source for the program. and currency with both the academy and governing bodies.” “It ensures students will have a scholarship and it will be As accolades came Johnson’s way from several people in on time,” Johnson said. higher education circles, he was quick to point to The Oklahoma Promise scholarship is contingent on a Oklahoma’s successes in education ranging from common student’s continued academic success and another round education to the community college and university level. of income eligibility. Most of all, Johnson pointed to Oklahoma’s increase in the number of students who complete college degree TASK FORCE requirements and graduate. The number of completed Johnson also emphasized a higher education task force degrees in science, technology, engineering and math formed in Oklahoma during 2017 that was designed to (STEM) degrees has increased 53 percent during the past make higher ed more