TulsaPeople February 2024

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE | COLLEGE GUIDE | LEGENDS: DEAN VANTREASE February 2024

7 SPICY DISHES AND DRINKS TO WARM YOU UP THIS WINTER

POW!

CHICKEN A Ghost Pep ND THE WOLF’s per Extr Chicken S a-Extra Hot andwich

BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART. Schedule your heart screening today.

The Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute offers a series of cardiovascular screenings at a reduced cost to help you identify potential risks for heart disease and other vascular conditions.

CT CALCIUM SCREENING – $99 VASCULAR SCREENINGS – $99 • Carotid disease • Aorta screening • Peripheral arterial disease

For more details about this series of cardiovascular screenings visit saintfrancis.com/heartscreening.

To schedule an appointment, please call 918-494-6900.

6161 South Yale Avenue | Tulsa, Oklahoma I saintfrancis.com/heartscreening

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Leaders with Heart ACCOMPLISHED. PROFESSIONAL. RENAISSANCE MAN. Dr. James Higgins looks back with gratitude on a life filled with opportunity and mentors. “A lot of people help you along the way and direct you, and that is why I’ve tried to mentor young people,” he says.

A cardiology specialist in Tulsa, Dr. Higgins has extensive experience in adult cardiovascular conditions.

He was the first person in his family to attend college and graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1977. He did an externship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, an internship and residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, and a cardiology fellowship at Moffitt Hospital in San Francisco.

University of Rochester at the urging of his mom, who had heard from a family friend that it was the best medical school available.

He did not initially plan to become a doctor. As an undergraduate on an athletic scholarship, James was studying electrical engineering until an invitation from a surgeon he met through a national basketball tournament made him change course.

The day after returning from the tournament, James was watching the doctor perform surgery at a hospital in Brookings, South Dakota.

Philippines as part of his Air Force commitment and through Doctors Without Borders. He recalled volunteering alongside a plastic surgeon in the Philippines where While there, he thrived under the hundreds of people lined the streets mentorship of the late Arthur J. Moss, to get their cleft lips and cleft palates a renowned cardiologist, who made fixed. “These kids would hand you significant discoveries in the prevention trinkets they had made and point to and treatment of sudden cardiac death. their mouths to show us how much better it was after surgery. You come Frequently, James would have dinner away from it so humbled. The people with Arthur’s family in their home. After are so unbelievably grateful,” he said. dinner, Arthur would engage James in problem-based learning by giving him “Using his medical expertise, James the history and details of a medical has made a positive difference in case and then having James deduce the lives of thousands of people. His what he would do if he were the doctor. wisdom and success as an investor “He would take an hour of his time have helped improve the quality of life after dinner to do that with me. What in the community,” says Tom Bennett kind of mentorship is that! That is the Jr., Executive Chairman of the Board kind of guy he was. He told me that I of First Oklahoma. needed to train at multiple places to become exposed to different ideas and to expand my horizons.”

James applied and was accepted to several medical schools but chose the

Among his broad travels, James medically served in Brazil and the

Midtown: 4110 S. Rockford Avenue | South: 100 S. Riverfront Drive, Jenks FirstOklahomaBank.com

Contents FEBRUARY 2024

VOLUME 38 ISSUE 4

7

CITY DESK Partners in Education.

Big 10 Ballroom renovation.

New tunes at Tulsa Opera.

Helping those hard of hearing.

64

TABLE TALK Mack’s Wings

Celebrate Mardi Gras.

3 places for spicy salsa.

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE | COLLEGE GUIDE | LEGENDS: DEAN VANTREASE February 2024

7 SPICY DISHES AND DRINKS TO WARM YOU UP THIS WINTER

28

58

COLLEGE GUIDE

LEGENDS: DEAN VANTREASE

Oklahoma colleges and universities offer opportunities for furthering education.

Former president of Tulsa Community College and member of

COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame

‘Coffee’ concoction.

Sweet and salty appetizer.

39 POW! CHICK

EN AND Ghost Peppe THE WOLF’s r Extra Chicken Sand -Extra Hot wich

ON THE COVER Chicken and the Wolf’s ghost pepper extra-extra hot chicken sandwich PHOTO BY MICHELLE POLLARD

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE

60

Tulsa’s private education options

BRINGING THE HEAT

COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

4 spicy dishes sure to please and warm you up this winter.

LIFESTYLE

BY NATALIE MIKLES

Physician turned retailer.

69

Oklahoma destinations to love.

A hospital’s sweet 16.

Connie Cronley opts for sunshine.

4 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

MICHELLE POLLARD; CITY DESK: GREG BOLLINGER

BY MICHAEL OVERALL

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER Volume XXXVIII, Number 4 ©2024. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, including created advertising in a proofed or printed stage.

I

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

’ll admit I’m not the most adventurous

Michael Overall visits with Dean in our

college I’ve come to love a spicy buffalo

series, now in its sixth year, asks questions to

when it comes to spicy foods. Since

wing with a loving dunk into cooling

ranch dressing. I’m a No. 2 spice level at

Lanna Thai. At one point I thought that was

latest “Legends” installment on p. 58. This

some of Tulsa’s most influential and impactful citizens. It’s one of my favorites.

As I write this we are briefly thawing

bold until I was eating there one night with

from an Arctic cold snap. There’s only so

No. 5 with a request to add more heat. So I

ingest to stay warm while still trying to stay

a group of friends and one of them ordered

suppose I’ll just leave my “claim to flame” at sipping on a spicy margarita when the time calls for one.

My colleague, Features Editor Tim

Landes, however, has a hankering for heat.

When he pitched a feature on spicy foods

for our February issue, we knew our readers would love it. When reading the feature

beginning on p. 60, be sure to look for the Golden Driller ranking system which de-

many hearty meals and warm tonics I can

Missy Kruse, The Write Company

of those people who wants to get to spring

as fast as possible once the holidays are over.

What can I say? I’m a spring baby who loves a picnic, flowers, leaves on trees and all that comes with it. My allergies? Well, that’s another story.

Wolf owner Philip Phillips says ... “You’ve been warned.”)

We had a lot of fun putting together this

issue.

I loved getting to chat with Tamecca

Rogers, who is someone I’ve felt I have

known for a long time but really only met in person a few weeks ago. She’s a busy woman who will debut her newest project this

EDITORIAL CONSULTING

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Madeline Crawford ART DIRECTOR Georgia Brooks GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ashley Guerrero MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER Michelle Pollard VIDEOGRAPHER Greg Bollinger SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Andrea Canada ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Josh Kampf Rita Kirk

I hope life is treating you well. If winter’s

your new favorite tome or rewatching your

“Dead!” (Spoiler alert: As Chicken and the

EDITOR Anne Brockman FEATURES EDITOR Tim Landes

more sunshine away from a screen. I’m one

more greens, walking more and soaking up

Designer Ashley Guerrero’s fantastic

on through dishes ranked from “Mild” to

PRESIDENT Juley Roffers VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS Susie Miller

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Tiffany Howard

your jam, I wish you all the comforts of a

illustrations of our intrepid Driller soldiering

PUBLISHER Jim Langdon

true to my New Year’s resolutions of eating

notes Tim’s review of each dish’s heat factor.

I also must give a shout-out to Graphic

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 P: 918-585-9924 F: 918-585-9926

warm blanket on a chilly night while reading favorite series. If you’re like me and are itch-

CONTROLLER Mary McKisick RECEPTIONIST/MARKETING ASSISTANT Madison Walters

MEMBER

ing for spring, just remember that this too shall pass. Longer, sunnier days are ahead

and waiting for you. Take this downtime to

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

plan your next day trip, call up an old friend or relative, break out the yoga mat or head

to a new-to-you restaurant to catch up with your bestie.

I can do it. You can do it. Until then,

wishes of warmth and wellness from the TulsaPeople office. tp

Langdon Publishing Company sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Tulsa People was printed on recycled fibers containing 20 percent post-consumer waste with inks containing a soy base blend. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally, meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

Disregard any TulsaPeople subscription solicitation that is not directly mailed from the Langdon Publishing office at 1603 S. Boulder Ave. Contact Langdon Publishing directly if you are interested in subscribing or renewing your TulsaPeople subscription.

month: a cartoon series with a very im-

portant message. Read more about her and “Ameka” on p. 8.

When Dean VanTrease moved to Tulsa

to take a job with the new Tulsa Junior College, he was told it would never be a success since there wasn’t a football team. Look at where Tulsa Community College is now.

6 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Anne Brockman EDITOR

S AY N O T O H A T E

City Desk NEWS

CAUSES

PASSIONS

HISTORY OF SUCCESS

F

ounded in 1913 to serve the citizens of the African American community, Booker T. Washington High School was chosen in 1973 to be the vehicle for Tulsa’s school desegregation program. As a magnet school, BTW serves students from every racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic group in Tulsa. Recently the high school was awarded several top-tier recognitions. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

READ MORE ON P. 8.

TulsaPeople.com 7

CITY DESK

NOTEBOOK

Magic moments Set to debut this month, “Ameka and Her Magical Crown” is the latest creation from Tamecca Rogers, Ed.D. “I took my love for movies and education and writing and combined it with my love for children to make the animated series ‘Ameka and Her Magical Crown,’” says Rogers, a 2023 Artist Creative Fund participant whose “Crown” documentary debuted in February 2023. “Ameka is a part of me. She makes me happy and is someone who I needed growing up — her confidence, her spunkiness, her ability to love her authentic self.”

The cartoon series, with 15- to 20-minute episodes, follows Ameka, a young girl who finds out that her voluptuous hair is really her magical crown. She harnesses its magical powers to protect her community while learning the true meaning of love, empathy and respect for one another.

Voiced by local talent, Rogers says the series is magic infused with reality. Viewers of all ages will see Tulsa cityscapes and historical references meant to entertain and educate.

“The main things I want to teach in this series is to love yourself so much — love your uniqueness so that you can love, appreciate and value the uniqueness in others,” she says. “Imagine if we had a world full of people who love themselves.”

Rogers — whose day job is serving Tulsa Tech as its director of diversity, equity and inclusion — hopes parents and kids use this as a co-watching experience.

“Ameka and Her Magical Crown” will debut at 4 p.m., Feb. 24, at Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis Ave. The premiere will include live musical entertainment and activities sponsored by Discovery Lab. Follow-up episodes will be available on YouTube. Learn more at inspirepublishingllc.com.

BTW NAMED BLUE-RIBBON SCHOOL For the third time, Booker T. Washington Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

“It’s an honor to be recognized on the national level,” said BTW Principal Melissa Woolridge in a recent press release. “This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts that go into ensuring our students are successful both during and after high school. It affirms that we are living up to the Booker T. expectation of academic excellence.”

“Tulsa City-County Library 1992-2021: A Legacy of Innovation, Integration, Inspiration” by author John Wooley, pictured here, is now available for purchase at

Booker T. was the only high school in Oklahoma to receive this honor. Earlier this school year, the school was ranked as

any TCCL location or Fulton Street Books and Coffee, 21 N. Greenwood Ave. The

the top public high school in Oklahoma by

book chronicles the past three decades of the library system and is a sequel to its

U.S. News and World Report. tp

first volume, “Tulsa City-County Library 1912-1991.”

8 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

JOHN WOOLEY: JOHN FANCHER; AMEKA: COURTESY TAMECCA ROGERS; BOOKER T. WASHINGTON: MICHELLE POLLARD

High School was named a National Blue

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CITY DESK

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS Feb. 4 VALENTINE’S DAY BY CANDLELIGHT Looking for Valentine’s Day plans? Take your loved one to this “Romeo and Juliet”- themed candle-lit classical music performance hosted by German American Society-Tulsa.

FEVERUP.COM Feb. 16 PAWS FOR READING Pre-registration is required for this event where elementary students can read with a therapy dog at Tulsa City-County Library’s Brookside location.

TULSALIBRARY.ORG Feb. 16-18 VINTAGE TULSA SHOW Celebrating 15 years, the largest antique and vintage show in Oklahoma makes its return to Tulsa’s Expo Square.

FACEBOOK.COM/VINTAGETULSASHOW

Feb. 2-4 THEATRE TULSA PRESENTS “ANNIE” tulsapac.com Feb. 3 TULSA POP CON tulsapopcon.com Feb. 3-4 WOMEN’S EXPO WITH A CAUSE womenslivingexpo.com

10 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Feb. 4 CHAMPAGNE AND CHOCOLATE MEMBER SHOWCASE OPENING NIGHT livingarts.org

Feb. 10 CASII STEPHAN’S “RELATIONSHIP STATUS” CONCERT tulsapac.com

Feb. 17-18, 24-25 THEATRE NORTH PRESENTS “TOPDOG/UNDERDOG” tulsapac.com

Feb. 8-11 STRICTLY GERSHWIN tulsaballet.org

Feb. 13 THE EAGLES’ “THE LONG GOODBYE” TOUR WITH STEELY DAN bokcenter.com

Feb. 10 BOOK LAUNCH FOR HEATHER LEVY’S “HURT FOR ME” magiccitybooks.com

Feb. 17 INTERVIEW WITH JOYCE CAROL OATES woodyguthriecenter.org

Feb. 24 ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SOUTH DAKOTA oruathletics.com Feb. 29 DIANA ROSS riverspirittulsa.com

COURTESY VINTAGE TULSA SHOW

MORE DATES TO SAVE

CITY DESK

IN CONVERSATION

WT Cauley Tulsa musician releases ‘Possum Bone’ on Feb. 9.

STORY AND PHOTO BY TIM LANDES

A FRIEND TURNED HIM ON TO AN UNCLE TUPELO STATION ON PANDORA. HE STARTED HEARING LOTS OF ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY MUSIC AND ROCK COMING FROM TULSA TO TEXAS THAT HE CONNECTED WITH WHEN COINCIDENTALLY ...

We were visiting Tulsa. My wife, Zoe, has an aunt and uncle here. We just fell in love with Tulsa. We thought it would be a great place to raise our daughter, so we came back to tour schools.

WHILE STANDING AT THE COUNTER AT COFFEE HOUSE ON CHERRY STREET, CAULEY PICKED UP A CD THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE ... “The New Tulsa Sound Vol. 2” was just sitting there in the front of the basket. I’d been digging a lot on JJ Cale and Leon Russell. I got my coffee and the album. I listened to it for the next three months while we were making the decision on selling our house. I told Zoe “I think I want to go do this. Everything is lining up.”

THEY MOVED TO TULSA IN THE FALL OF 2019.

ZOE FOUND WORK BEFORE RELOCATING, AND NOT LONG AFTER MOVING HERE, SO DID CAULEY ... I started out busking out front of Buck Atom’s. I was introduced to Mary Beth (Babcock), who said, “Yeah you can play!”

She’s great. Super positive. Then one day Donnie (Rich) stops by and tells me about the open mic at Blackbird on Pearl, where I met Steve Liddell and Zac Wenzel, then it all started happening.

W

T Cauley is sitting on a couch that is surrounded by guitars while he holds a vinyl test pressing of his new album “Possum Bone” out Feb. 9. He’s all smiles as he hangs out inside Guitar House, 1216 S. Harvard Ave., and talks about his life and musical journey that led him to Tulsa and recording at The Church Studio with some of the best musicians in Tulsa.

SCENE AS A SHOW PROMOTER. THEN IN 2011 HIS BROTHER DIED SUDDENLY, A MONTH BEFORE CAULEY’S DAUGHTER WAS BORN PREMATURE ...

We’re in the hospital for like a month with my daughter, and it was just really intense. I had a growth period, and I came out of that with a desire like now is the time. Life is precious and short, and I need to just do this.

So I started working on putting together the first record.

CAULEY, A LIFELONG MUSICIAN, WAS RAISED IN CALIFORNIA AND SPENT TWO DECADES IN SEATTLE WHERE HE WORKED IN THE MUSIC

THAT FIRST ALBUM CAME OUT IN 2015, THEN HE RELEASED ANOTHER THAT DIDN’T MEET HIS GOALS. WHILE SEARCHING FOR INSPIRATION,

12 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

LOOKING TO ASSEMBLE A BACKING BAND FOR AN ALBUM, CAULEY VISITED AN OLD HAUNT OF RUSSELL’S ... I went to The Colony to see who was playing, and it was Paul Benjaman’s night. Paddy Ryan was playing drums, and I heard the sound I needed. I introduced myself and told him what I was doing. He’s like, “I can bring everybody you need.”

WITH FUNDING FROM THE TULSA OFFICE OF FILM, MUSIC, ARTS AND CULTURE’S PLAY TULSA MUSIC INITIATIVE, CAULEY ASSEMBLED A BAND THAT INCLUDED RYAN, BASSIST AARON BOEHLER AND GUITARIST JESSE AYCOCK, PLUS A VOCAL ASSIST FROM CASSIE LATSHAW AND HIS KEYBOARDIST FRIEND FROM SEATTLE, KENT HALVORSEN ... I had booked a recording session at The Church. When the band came together, I went home and told my wife, “It’s happening and it’s with the guys that are on that record.” It all swirled together into this beautiful moment in life. tp

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TULSA

CITY DESK

COMMUNITY THIS MONTH AT

Circle Cinema PET SHOP BOYS DREAMWORLD: LIVE IN COPENHAGEN 7:20 p.m., Jan. 31; 3:30 p.m., Feb. 4 Captured live at Copenhagen’s Royal Arena, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe put on an exhilarating performance, featuring a lavish stage show, full back-up band and mesmerizing visual backdrops — all in front of an exuberant, sold-out audience.

THE ZONE OF INTEREST Coming early February The commandant of Auschwitz and his wife strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp. The winner of the 2023 Grand Prize at Cannes is an unflinching look at the horrors of the Holocaust told through a unique lens.

‘Hear, here!’

Agencies combine to meet the needs of Tulsans with hearing impairments.

BY JANE ZEMEL

F

or more than 70 years, local Tulsans with hearing impairments could get the information and support they needed from Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access. But when a series of turnovers left a gap in TSHA leadership, the agency realized that was affecting its services and looked for outside assistance with a number of administrative support issues.

That call for help went to Wendi Fralick — executive director of The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges — a little more than a year ago. Both TSHA and The Center were member agencies of Tulsa Area United Way and shared similar missions, making Fralick the ideal consultant.

“Programming and staff were amazing,” Fralick says of TSHA. But at the time when administrative support needs were increasing, TSHA couldn’t grow to meet them.

“They just needed help with administrative functions,” she adds.

As of October 2023, TSHA became part of The Center. “It’s a commonsense collaboration,” Fralick says.

14 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Seven TSHA staffers joined The Center’s 20 employees, and a new director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Susan Nelson, was hired. Two staff members are deaf; one is hearing impaired with Cochlear implants; and seven staffers are fluent in American Sign Language.

“We have a larger infrastructure to support them,” Fralick says, “so they can spend more time doing what they’re supposed to do.”

The Center’s Deaf Services program helps individuals access services designed to improve daily living and make their contact with the hearing world more fluid.

One-on-one help is available for legal issues, independent living challenges and financial or medical queries.

The Center also offers interpreter services to businesses and event venues — last year, more than 5,000 interpreter requests were filled for large audiences or smaller meetings, as well as ASL classes around Tulsa, Jenks and Owasso. tp

PAPRIKA 7:20 p.m., Feb. 7 Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents the subtitled version of this surreal anime hit from 2006. The final film from visionary director Satoshi Kon has received a 4K restoration.

TEN NIGHTS IN A BARROOM 11 a.m., Feb. 10 Presented with the Second Saturday Silent Series, see this 1926 film in honor of Black History Month. It features an all-Black cast from Philadelphia’s Colored Players Film Corporation who worked to combat the humiliating, stereotypical minstrel portrayals of Black Americans in the films of that time.

NOIR NIGHTS WITH JOSH FADEM 7 p.m., Feb. 12 See a classic noir film on the big screen for just $5 — but which film? Find out at showtime! Tulsa-born actor, comedian and Film Noir enthusiast Josh Fadem is back with a lovers-on-the-run film for Valentine’s.

Noir Nights presents a monthly dose of dark alleys, sassy women, hired killers, crooked cops, heists gone wrong, obsessed detectives and suburban fatigue.

THE OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT FILMS Feb. 16, Animated Shorts; Feb. 23, Live Action Shorts; March 1, Documentary Shorts See all the short films nominated for Oscars on the big screen. It’s a great way to enjoy 15 new films from around the world — and get the edge in your Oscar pool!

Compiled by Circle Cinema’s Ryan Thomas.

Visit circlecinema.org for pricing and more information.

GREG BOLLINGER

Wendi Fralick and Susan Nelson at The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, which recently merged with Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access, an agency that assists the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

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TulsaPeople.com 15

CITY DESK

CHANGEMAKERS

Lessons from the classroom First-hand accounts of classroom life from teachers, for teachers that are meant to empower.

BY JULIANNE TRAN

“I

was a second-year teacher when Columbine happened,” says Rick Holmes, a former Tulsa-area educator. “After that, anytime a tragedy occurred, we heard from political leaders, superintendents, people in the community, students even. But I noticed teachers were never asked for their take on things, even when they would be the logical choice.

“Teachers are crucial, but they are also quiet. They’re not often given a voice.”

Holmes taught for 20 years in Jenks, Nowata and Fayetteville, Arkansas, public schools and Metro Christian Academy.

Reflecting on that and on the teachers he worked with, Holmes knew he wanted to create a space for teachers to share their stories.

16 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

“I wanted to write a book purely about the stories of teachers — how they responded and extended grace, love and empathy toward a student,” Holmes says. “I wanted that to be the voice of the book.

“Teachers have this deep well of wisdom and humanity and it’s just a matter of asking and providing them with an opportunity to talk about it.”

Holmes embarked on a mission to interview educators across the country, asking why they teach and why they continue to teach after dealing with such difficult circumstances.

As he continued talking with teachers, he envisioned something more. “I saw professional development. I saw a podcast. I saw events and just trying new things.”

Learn more about Relate Then Educate and the book at relatetheneducate.com.

GREG BOLLINGER

Andrea Avey and Rick Holmes co-authored “Relate, Then Educate,” a book that blossomed into an organization that supports educators across the country.

And so, the book “Relate, Then Educate: The Untold Stories of Teachers, by Teachers” — co-written by Andrea Avey and published this past August — grew into the organization Relate Then Educate.

“The mission and the heartbeat of it is to amplify the voices of teachers. We want to support teachers, however we can do that,” Holmes says.

A Tulsa-founded organization, Relate Then Educate now spans the country. “We want to be able to reach out to all teachers, but our roots are deeply embedded into Oklahoma soil and Tulsa itself,” Holmes says.

The organization has a podcast that features conversations with educators and hosts events and workshops that empower and energize teachers, including an event called Teacher’s Night Out. “Teachers can come and enjoy an evening together with other teachers and people in the educational community. They can listen to good speakers, be encouraged, hopefully be challenged and then take that back to their school,” Holmes says.

These events take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Fayetteville with more destinations across the country in 2024.

Holmes is especially passionate about supporting younger teachers. “Young teachers who are in that one- to four-year timeframe were leaving at a tremendous rate.

The predominant reason for them leaving is that it wasn’t what they thought it was going to be.”

“What we wanted to do was to allow teachers to tell (other) teachers what (teaching) actually is and what it could be,” Holmes says.

“There are so many loud voices that are speaking negatively about teachers, librarians, schools, and we want to be the accurate voice — the reasonable and realistic voice of what is happening in our schools right now.”

Because in an increasingly divided and reclusive world, he believes teachers are more important than ever.

“Teachers provide a framework for a healthy community to exist in a room so that students can learn and grow,” Holmes says. “Teachers teach how to be a part of a community. Students experience how to be a part of something larger than themselves.” tp

MONTEREAU PUTS THE HAPPY IN EVERY HOUR. Retiring at Montereau offers a built-in social scene that lets you share experiences, friendships and fun. Events, classes, drinks and dining — Montereau makes every hour pretty darn happy.

We are Tulsa’s top-of-the line retirement community. Come and join us for a cold one.

VISIT WWW.MONTEREAU.NET OR CALL 918-921-8907

TULSAPEOPLE GIVEAWAY

Visit TulsaPeople.com to register for our special

FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY

4 tickets to Harry Potter featuring the magic of film with a live orchestra!

Visit

Saturday, March 9 Tulsa Performing Arts Center

to register by February 29.*

*Winner will be notified March 1 and should respond by March 4 or another winner will be chosen.

TulsaPeople.com 17

CITY DESK

PASSIONS

Jana Emerson

Answering the call Tulsa transplant Cymone Davis has become one of the state’s leading advocates for Black towns.

STORIES BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

C

ymone Davis’ journey to Oklahoma began in 2019 while researching her family background in her hometown of Kansas City.

Davis discovered her great-great-grandmother was from Tullahassee, Oklahoma’s first Black town, 36 miles southwest of Tulsa.

A year before she had a realization. “I knew in my heart that my ultimate goal was to start a Black boarding school, so I decided to take a road trip to visit where my ancestors came from and see where that led me,” Davis says.

That road trip led her on a life-changing path as she befriended the mayor of Tullahassee, who then convinced Davis her school should be located there.

“Tullahassee used to have a Black boarding school, and with the connections to my family, it just seemed meant to be,” she says.

Davis decided to leave Kansas City and move to Tulsa in 2020 as part of the Tulsa Remote program. She moved in the middle of the pandemic and on Juneteenth weekend, which was also the same weekend of the controversial Trump rally in Tulsa.

“I don’t think I could have picked a crazier time or weekend to move to Tulsa; it was absolutely surreal,” Davis says.

Fast forward three years, and her accomplishments are nothing less than

18 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

astonishing. She became the first town manager for the city of Tullahassee and was instrumental in getting it back on the map, including organizing a grassroots community clean-up, creating a holiday lighting ceremony and children’s gift giveaway, as well as networking with Los Angeles officials and having the Tullahassee mayor sit on the inaugural Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity coalition. Other Black towns took note and reached out to Davis asking for advice.

“I decided I would make a bigger impact by starting my own LLC where I could help other towns duplicate our successes, and that’s how Black Towns Municipal Management came to be.”

Through BTMM, she recently hosted a Black Towns Revival Weekend — a three-day workshop, panel and tour of Black towns to show others what could be done to rebuild the Black economic dollar.

All these efforts are laying the groundwork for her ultimate goal — building a Black boarding school in the town where her great-great-grandmother once lived. In the meantime, Davis will continue to be a passionate advocate for Black towns and their revival.

Visit blacktownsmm.com and subscribe to the newsletter to get involved. tp

MEET AND GREET NAME: Jana Emerson KNOWN AS: The newly named president and CEO of Tulsa Street School, a nonprofit alternative education and counseling program that transforms lives by building healthy minds, creating opportunities and preparing students for the future.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH STREET SCHOOL, AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I’ve been at Street School for 17 years, in almost every capacity. I began as a therapist and am honored to take this position as I am passionate about Street School and its mission. I just want to continue building upon the amazing work that my predecessor and mentor Lori McGinnis-Madland has done.

We have had some significant milestones over the past few years.

I’m most proud of our team launching Street School 2.0 (a 2018 campus expansion), which allowed us to double the number of students we serve, and we are now fully staffed for the first time since the pandemic.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS THE NEW CEO? There is such a need for our services, and after 51 years, our method is tried and true. We have so many success stories and can serve as a model for best practices. We have groups from all over visit our facility and meet with our staff — I would like to capitalize on that and spread our program in more places and broaden our impact in the community.

CYMONE DAVIS: BASIL CHILDERS; JANA EMERSON: GREG BOLLINGER

Cymone Davis, CEO of Black Towns Municipal Management, speaks during a workshop held in Clearview, Oklahoma.

CITY DESK

APPLAUSE

Terry McMillan

The write stuff

PIE: COURTESY OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA; MCMILLAN: MATTHEW JORDAN SMITH

Terry McMillan, an author known for her popular novels about Black American women, is this year’s recipient of the Sankofa Freedom Award — which recognizes authors whose works address issues affecting the greater African American community — and a $10,000 prize from the Tulsa City-County Library.

McMillan is an award-winning novelist whose books portray spirited, independent Black women often determined to find fulfilling romantic relationships.

Her titles include “Mama,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and most recently, “It’s Not All Downhill From Here.”

McMillan spoke with us from her home in Pasadena, California.

When you taught (at the universities of Wyoming and Arizona) what did you tell your writing students? Write about what scares you and what you wish you could change and don’t worry about what people think about it. Be honest with yourself first and you’ll be surprised you are not alone. I have told audiences and students over the years, life is an excavation — how to be smarter and more sensitive and more understanding and more forgiving. We are all put here to be a good human being by being caring, thoughtful and loving. How you live your life should reflect that. — CONNIE CRONLEY Feb. 9 Sankofa Freedom Award Public Presentation 6:30 p.m., Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford Ave. Free admission • tulsalibrary.org READ MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM.

Public Service Co. of Oklahoma employees participate in the company’s annual school supply drive for John Hope Franklin Elementary and Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy. PSO is also a Partner in Education with Central High School.

Easy as PIE A 40-year partnership brings together schools and organizations for the betterment of the district.

“P

BY JORDAN COX

ublic schools are all of our schools and their success is all of our success,” says Amy Brown, external affairs manager at Public Service Co. of Oklahoma and Tulsa resident since 2006. Brown is one of the many PSO employees who partners with Tulsa Public Schools through the Partners in Education program.

According to PIE, the mission is to “unite businesses, congregations and community organizations with Tulsa Public Schools for the common goal of enhancing the education experience for students in Tulsa Public Schools and creating a workforce pipeline for Tulsa.”

Those “businesses, congregations and community organizations” are made up of individual volunteers who, like Brown, are making a difference through the culmination of their individual acts of reading with students, sponsoring after-school clubs, talking with high school students about Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program, funding initiatives like Teacher Appreciation lunches and more. “(PIE) is very flexible,” says Brown, who thought the needs of Tulsa’s kids felt like too big of a problem for her to reasonably impact on her own. PIE initiatives provide her a way of contributing to advance the good being done in education. “Schools have a lot of different needs — we’ll get requests to help

proctor state tests … (some schools) have a variety of special interest clubs looking for people with different talents. Some people don’t have time or a skill, but they have financial resources.”

“It takes a village to make an impact,” says Brena Meadows Thrash, director of operations and programs for the Foundation for Tulsa Schools, a community-based nonprofit operating independently as a trusted district partner and who manages the PIE program. “Partners in Education is making a difference through spending time with our students, exposing them to different subjects, or celebrating our staff.”

She adds there are some TPS schools currently without partners.

Being a PIE is relationship-focused. “We always want to make sure what we’re doing as a partner is driven by what (the students) need,” Brown says.

A favorite project for Brown was being part of PSO’s sponsorship of caps and gowns for Central High School’s graduation. The cost of caps and gowns had increased with inflation and the school’s biggest need at the time was to ensure students were equipped for one of the biggest days of their life.

For more information about joining PIE, visit foundationfortulsaschools.org/ partners-in-education. tp TulsaPeople.com 19

CITY DESK

ON STAGE

Opera for all Tulsa Opera marks 75th anniversary season with unique experiences for local audiences.

BY ALICIA CHESSER

I

t may seem like a surprising choice for a venerable opera company to present an off-Broadway musical — in a tiny black box cabaret theater, no less. But for Tulsa Opera, now in its 75th anniversary season and celebrating the arrival of Lori Decter Wright as its new general director, it makes all the sense in the world.

When Tulsa Opera performs “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” the hit romantic comedy at the Lynn Riggs Theater this month, it will be another step in the company’s dynamic effort to bring fresh 20 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

ideas about what opera can be — and just as importantly, about who belongs in its audience.

“Opera was the original popular entertainment,” Artistic Director Aaron Beck says. “It was the first thing to combine music, dance, visual art and acting all at the same time and make a spectacle out of it. For centuries, opera was something the common person did. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that opera started to become ‘elite.’” Musical theater is, after all, a direct offshoot of opera, and the expectation

Feb. 9-11 “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m., Sunday.

Lynn Riggs Theater at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. Fourth St. • $35, general admission; $100, date night table • tulsaopera.com

GREG BOLLINGER

Tulsa Opera General Director Lori Decter Wright and Artistic Director Aaron Beck

that opera can only happen in what Decter Wright describes as “supersized” venues is, she suggests, a distinctly American thing.

“Really, we’re not doing anything new. We’re bringing opera back to what it is, what it has always been,” Beck says.

Tulsa Opera’s current season features unique opera experiences (more than 300 of them throughout the year, Decter Wright says) in unconventional places: from brewpubs, schools and memory care facilities, to Studio 308 in the East End Village and, later this spring, at The Church Studio for “Opera Rocks the Country,” featuring a country band and a Wild West opera all in the same night.

“We’re never going to be a company that never does the big operas, because that’s part of who we are,” Beck says. “But we need to be the most connected to our community that we can be. That means we’re doing some musical theater, some modern opera, some traditional opera, at different venues all over town; whatever works. I think we’re challenging everyone, not just our artists but the public in general, as to what opera is, what Tulsa Opera is and why it matters to our community.” Recent sell-out crowds and positive feedback show that longtime supporters and new audiences alike are responding enthusiastically to the challenge.

For Decter Wright, a Tulsa city councilor and former professional opera singer who most recently served the community as executive director of Kendall Whittier Inc., leading Tulsa Opera is an opportunity to connect Tulsans with this art form in a way that speaks to who and where they are, to lift up local talent, and to strengthen new and existing relationships across the city and the region as a driver in Tulsa’s vibrant arts scene.

“That’s the spirit we’re going into these next 75 years with: keep it relevant, keep it reflective of the community, keep engaging,” she says. “Audiences are discovering us. And the ones who have been by us all along are still getting their cups filled, I hope. We want people to know that opera is for everybody. That’s the goal: to not be a best-kept secret.” tp

PRESENTS

TULSA’S PREMIERE DANCE CLUB

VOTED BEST LGBTQ+ BAR & BEST NIGHTCLUB THURS • FRI • SUN 18+ TO ENTER, 21+ TO DRINK

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Happy Valentine’s Day! F E AT U R I N G

First Friday Art Crawl

Tulsa Arts District is home to retail and service shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries, museums, parks, private businesses, residences and historic music venues. Plan to arrive early and stay late in Tulsa Arts District!

ROBERT S. WALTERS OBUM UKABAM - LINCOLN IBRAHIM BUYCKES - BOOTH

FEB 17 AT 8:00 P.M. FEB 18 AT 3:00 P.M.

FEB 24 AT 8:00 P.M. FEB 25 AT 3:00 P.M.

Topdog/Underdog, a full-length drama, is a premiere for Tulsa during African American History Month, which complements recognizing playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002, as the first African American woman to receive this reward. The play chronicles the adult lives of two AfricanAmerican brothers as they cope with poverty, racism, work, women, and their troubled upbringings.

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TULSAPAC.COM OR 918-596-7111

Scan for calendar

#TulArtsDist

/TulsaArtsDistrict

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

TheTulsaArtsDistrict.org

A B O U T T OW N • A - L I S T • F O O D + D R I N K • C A L E N D A R LIFESTYLE • DIRECTORIES & MORE!

FI N D M O R E O F T U L S A PEO PLE AT

TulsaPeople.com 21

CITY DESK

Lester Shaw is the founder and executive director of A Pocket Full of Hope, a nonprofit youth arts organization that calls the historic Big 10 Ballroom home. The venue reopened last year after more than a decade-and-a-half of fundraising and renovation. It has welcomed several events to its multiple spaces, above left.

Big dreams Historic north Tulsa venue rehabbed for public and private ventures.

A

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

s the founder and executive director of A Pocket Full of Hope, Lester Shaw is well aware of the power of music to change lives.

For 24 years, the nonprofit has been helping youth ages 7-19 develop life skills using music, theater, dance, video, photography and technology. Like many small nonprofits, APFOH had struggled over the years to find a permanent location adequate for its programs and participants. In 2007 when the neighboring Big 10 Ballroom became available for purchase, Shaw saw the chance to create a new home for APFOH in a space that had once welcomed some of the biggest African American performers during the Civil Rights Era.

22 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

“Research shows it’s hard to empower youth without an historical perspective,” Shaw says. “I knew this was a great opportunity to educate our kids, with the history of the building and the people who would perform there. Black artists and entertainers who couldn’t perform anywhere else because of segregation came to the Big 10 Ballroom on the Chitlin’ Circuit (a series of venues where it was safe for African American artists to perform during segregation and the Civil Rights Era). No matter what they went through, these performers found ways to feed their families and to give, so we’re hoping that these young people latch on to this idea that they can be great like these performers.”

Built in 1948, the Big 10 Ballroom —

located at 1624 E. Apache St. — was a major music venue in the 1950s and ’60s, featuring performances from artists like Ray Charles, Ike and Tina Turner, and James Brown. Over the years, the facility changed hands several times and was in poor condition by the time APFOH took ownership.

Last year, the venue hosted its grand reopening after a decade-and-a-half of fundraising and all the various challenges that come with renovating a public facility, not to mention an intervening pandemic. Back in business, the Big 10 Ballroom has since seen performances from APFOH participants, a posthumous music tribute to Gap Band founder Ronnie Wilson, a New Year’s Eve party, a high school winter formal and more.

According to Shaw, the building’s renaissance also has sparked a renewed interest in the neighborhood itself.

“People are looking at this now as a viable location for their own businesses,” he says.

“It’s a sense of pride for this community, but it’s also opportunities. People are now waking up and saying, ‘Hey, you know, if they can do something there, I can do something.’”

For Shaw, who has childhood memories of driving past the venue on his way to church with his family, the building’s renovation has a certain symmetry.

“Not knowing as a kid of 7 or 8 years old that I would be taking the responsibility for doing that, it’s really mind blowing to me sometimes how things have come around full circle,” he says. “It’s gratifying to be able to put that venue back in Tulsa that a lot of people really didn’t know was there.”

For more information, visit facebook.com/historicbig10ballroom. tp

GREG BOLLINGER

MUSIC NOTES

CITY DESK

MUSIC NOTES

Ashley Kirkley

BEHIND THE MUSIC A passionate music fan, Ashley Kirkley is the general manager of Mercury Lounge, a popular music venue and watering hole located at 1747 S. Boston Ave. A former surgical technologist, Kirkley traded in her scrubs for a life of rock ‘n’ roll when she began working at the venue four years ago.

ASHLEY KIRKLEY: GREG BOLLINGER; BANDELIER: DYLAN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY; GRASS CRACK: MARISA KINNEY

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? As the general manager, I oversee day-to-day operations, along with our amazing bar manager, Luciano Tarcetti. I handle the booking of all of our live music — which consists of at least 10 different shows a week — answer all email correspondence, and manage the box office and the Mercury Lounge social media channels.

Bluegrass and beyond Whether it’s family, work or a pandemic, the real world can often get in the way of the creative process. Just ask Grass Crack’s Nathan Gray. He and bandmates Dan Riffe, Kyle Dismukes, Colt Billingsly, Gary Sizemore and Matthew Skelton released their second album, “The Hits,” this past fall. This collection of the band’s favorite covers arrives more than a decade after their debut record. Although the progressive bluegrass outfit has seen some personnel changes in the interim, the energy remains.

Grass Crack takes its cue from bands like Mountain Sprout and Split Lip Rayfield, with music that doesn’t fit neatly into a bluegrass box. There’s plenty of picking, but there’s also a willingness to venture into territory that borders on rock and punk. Long gone are the days when a young, dynamic artist like Billy Strings, with his boundary-pushing delivery, would have earned the disdain of bluegrass purists. The genre has expanded to encompass a wider range of

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? The music, of course, but also all of the amazing people and musicians I get to meet. There is nothing better than looking around and seeing everyone singing along and having the time of their life, and to think I helped with that a little is the best reward.

THOUGHTS ON TULSA’S MUSIC SCENE? Tulsa has always been a music city, but I believe we really have something special happening right now. There are so many great venues of all different capacities, and the talent is out of this world. Musicians are routing through Tulsa a few times and then relocating (here) because it is that amazing. From metal to hip hop to Americana, there is truly a place for everyone. — JULIE WENGER WATSON

Bandelier

Building a new ‘Westhope’ Three years in the making, “Westhope,” the sophomore release from Bandelier, is 12 tracks of cinematic cowboy country. With lyrics and instrumentation that strongly evoke a sense of place, the album plays like a movie soundtrack, best enjoyed as a whole, ideally in one sitting. There’s a story there, and the band — Ryan Allen, Jake Dodson, Will Gibson, Clay Grogan, Rusty Rowe and Nathan Wilson — invites you to listen.

Grass Crack will play The Colony on Feb. 2, as well as Mayfest and several other regional festivals.

influences, becoming more inclusive in the process and attracting younger fans whose enthusiasm fills stadiums. Locally, bands like Grass Crack and Johnny Mullenax, with his Sunday Bluegrass Brunch at Mercury Lounge, are pushing their own envelopes — and it’s a good thing. “(Bandmate) Dan (Riffe) and I didn’t grow up on bluegrass,” Gray says. “I played drums in high school jazz band and with hip hop and rock groups.

Dan played a lot of punk rock, so there’s a lot of that energy in our music.”

That energy translates into a fun live show, and the band is looking forward to more of them this year.

“If I can get two or three good gigs per month, I’m happy with that,” Gray says. “You know, this is a marathon. We’re not in a hurry. Let’s make this band last a long time by just chugging along and staying consistent.”

Visit grasscrack.bandcamp.com for more information. — JULIE WENGER WATSON

Allen was raised in north Texas and moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa. It was then he started playing guitar. When he wasn’t practicing he would spend weekends driving the state.

“Staring out the windows at the passing landscapes while listening to music really helped connect me to a sense of place here in Oklahoma,” he says. “It also helped hone in and craft my songwriting skills.”

A fan of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Allen named the album “Westhope” after the Wrightdesigned home in Tulsa near 37th Street and Birmingham Avenue.

“The architecture is so stunning, but I remember hearing how it, like so many of his other works, were faulty,” he says. “These beautifully designed structures tended to leak and break. I saw a metaphor of sorts for our country and its complicated history, particularly of the troubling idea of manifest destiny and the romanticized West.”

Visit bandeliermusic.com to learn more. — JULIE WENGER WATSON TulsaPeople.com 23

CITY DESK

BUSINESS

Left, Sid McAnnally, president and CEO of ONE Gas, and Curtis Dinan, senior vice president and COO of ONE Gas, outside the utility’s headquarters in downtown Tulsa.

Cheers to 10 years Tulsa’s ONE Gas marks a decade as an independent company.

BY ROBERT EVATT

O

NE Gas has plenty to celebrate for its 10th anniversary. The Tulsa-based natural gas utility company now serves 2.3 million customers throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. That’s a number that should continue to grow, says Sid McAnnally, president and CEO of ONE Gas. “There’s been a meaningful migration to us since COVID,” he says. “It’s not just people moving in, it’s economic growth that’s providing long-term opportunities.”

Though ONE Gas has thrived in the decade since it was founded, the company has built on over a century of service.

The roots of ONE Gas reach back to the Oklahoma Natural Gas Co., founded in Oklahoma City on Oct. 12, 1906. That name changed to the Oklahoma Natural Gas Corp. when it moved to Tulsa in 1928.

As decades passed, the natural gas utility built out its distribution network while also acquiring natural gas midstream services.

To reflect the expanded scope, the company rebranded as ONEOK when it went public in 1980.

24 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

A relatively short time later, leaders within the company realized many stockholders were more interested in one service over the other, says Curtis Dinan, senior vice president and COO of ONE Gas. “Some investors were more interested in the utility, and some were more interested in the midstream operations,” he says. “So it made sense to separate the company.”

As a result, in 2014 the utility services became ONE Gas, while the midstream operations remained at ONEOK. Though the companies remain on friendly terms, there are no ownership or day-to-day operations that overlap.

Since then, ONE Gas has continually expanded and improved its customer service area by both building out new distribution or by acquiring smaller companies that struggled to effectively serve customers, Dinan says.

In February 2021, ONE Gas faced its biggest challenge. Winter storm Uri dumped 10 inches of snow over four days, making travel nearly impossible while dropping temperatures as low as minus 13 in Tulsa.

The area remained below freezing for over 11 days.

Millions of people trapped in their homes needed heat, and ONE Gas quickly moved to ensure services kept moving, McAnnally says.

“It really is fair to characterize the way our employees focused on serving our customers — they were heroic,” he says. “They were out in very difficult conditions, making sure that our system continued to provide energy to people at a time when they needed it most.”

Though ONE Gas remains focused on natural gas, they have long supported efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Since 2005, the company has reduced the carbon footprint of its utility operations by almost 50%, and ONE Gas continues to seek ways to improve operations and reduce emissions further, Dinan says.

As part of its decarbonization efforts, “We just received approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to offer renewable natural gas to customers who voluntarily want it,” he says. “So if a customer would like part of their gas supply to be from gas that comes off of, for example, a landfill or a wastewater treatment facility, we can make that available.” Those interested in learning more about this program should visit oklahomanaturalgas.com/rng.

Beyond providing natural gas, ONE Gas actively supports the Tulsa area through its charitable foundation, and in 2023, employee contributions to the Tulsa Area United Way exceeded what McAnnally says was an aggressive goal.

ONE Gas doesn’t just support the community; they benefit from it as well. McAnnally says the company can easily recruit the most talented, dedicated employees due to Tulsa’s rising reputation as both an innovation hub and an appealing place to live and raise families.

“We are able to recruit people into Tulsa from across the country because of the quality of life and the ease of living in this community,” he says. tp

GREG BOLLINGER; STOCK EXCHANGE: COURTESY ONE GAS

ONE Gas representatives ring the New York Stock Exchange closing bell in February 2014.

CITY DESK

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

Mabel Little

Little family, big heart How the Little family had a big impact on Greenwood and Tulsa histories.

BY MICHAEL OVERALL

MICHELLE POLLARD/COURTESY GREENWOOD CULTURAL CENTER

A

17-year-old Mabel (Bonner) Little arrived by train in September 1913 and unpacked her bags at a boarding house in the famous Greenwood District, a bustling and prosperous Black neighborhood on the north side of downtown Tulsa.

She had come from the rather sleepy little town of Boley, a historic Black community 70 miles east of Oklahoma City, with the ambition to attend college or, perhaps, start her own business. But with only $1.50 left in her purse, Mabel didn’t know how she would afford to do either one.

Tired and hungry after settling into her new room, she walked to a nearby cafe and looked up from her table to see a young waiter named Presley Little.

“I looked up at him and fell immediately in love,” Mabel would later write in her autobiography. “Right then and there.”

So began one of the most notable romances in Tulsa history.

After getting married at Mount Zion Baptist Church in December 1914, Mabel and Presley lived in a three-room shotgun house, where he ran a shoeshine business in one room while she opened a beauty salon in another. Mabel had learned hair styling from her aunt while growing up in Boley, and she quickly gained a reputation for having a “magic touch.” The Littles’ house became a popular place for Greenwood’s most fashionable women — not only to get their hair done, but also just to hang out and gossip.

By 1918, the business had outgrown the room at Mabel’s house and she opened a shop at the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue, the heart of the Greenwood District, where the Little Rose Beauty Salon hired three stylists and built a clientele of more than 600 women.

Meanwhile, Presley became a successful entrepreneur as well, opening a popular Greenwood restaurant called the Little Cafe, known for smothered steak, rice and brown gravy. By 1921, the couple could afford a five-bedroom house and a Ford Model T. But both businesses were destroyed in the infamous racial violence that swept through Greenwood at the end of May 1921. Their house burned. Their car was stolen. And they were left with only $50 in cash.

Not able to reopen his restaurant, Presley became a construction worker to help rebuild Greenwood, but he developed tuberculosis and died in 1927.

The couple never had children of their own but adopted 11 kids, most of them offspring of family members. After Presley’s death, Mabel reopened her salon to provide for the large household, and she even adopted a 12th child.

In the 1960s education officials announced plans to close two historic schools — Booker T. Washington High School and Carver Middle School — in north Tulsa. Mabel became one of nine protesters who staged a two-day sit-in at Tulsa Public Schools’ Education Service Center and, at age 75, proudly got herself arrested.

The schools remained opened and Mabel went on to help organize the city’s magnet school system and early childhood education programs.

She made the news again in the early 1970s when she became a regular presence at City Council meetings and public forums to speak out against “urban renewal” projects that were tearing down swaths of the Greenwood District. Again her own salon was wiped out, this time by the Inner Dispersal Loop.

“You destroyed everything we had (in 1921),” Mabel told officials via the Tulsa Tribune in April 1970. “And the people are suffering more now than they did then.”

Despite a common misconception, she never actually lived in the Mabel B. Little Heritage House, a two-story, red-brick home that now stands on the grounds of the Greenwood Cultural Center. As the only Greenwood home still surviving from the 1920s, it was fully restored in the mid 1980s and dedicated to her in honor of her efforts to rebuild and preserve the district.

Her autobiography, “Fire on Mount Zion: My Life and History as a Black Woman in America” was published in 1990. Mabel died in 2001 at age 104. tp TulsaPeople.com 25

CITY DESK

BENEFITS

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AWARE LUNCHEON Approximately 280 guests gathered at Southern Hills Country Club on Nov. 7 to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the AWARE Luncheon featured a special research presentation by the Alzheimer’s Association’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Maria Carrillo, who shared new advancements happening in Alzheimer’s research worldwide. Attendees heard from Jay Parks, an Oklahoma Chapter board member, about his experience of being an Alzheimer’s caregiver.

Just over $160,000 was raised, which will be used toward care, support and research. 1. AWARE table hostesses Allison Eve Meyer and Gina Harris with

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6 AWARE Honorary Chair Mary Barnes at the VIP reception. 2. AWARE Table Hostesses Gina Harris and Sharon Griffin with 2023 AWARE Luncheon Co-Chairs Kara Schatz and Heather May. 3. 2023 Tulsa AWARE Committee, table hostesses, sponsors and speakers. 4. Guests find their seats in the ballroom as the luncheon begins. 5. Dr. Maria Carrillo presents the latest in Alzheimer’s disease research. 6. Jay Parks shares stained-glass art that he and his wife made together; the pieces were auctioned later that afternoon.

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VISION DINNER The Tulsa Community College Foundation broke its all-time fundraising record at its annual Vision Dinner, raising more than $550,000, which will support scholarships, internships, new learning equipment and more. With live musical performances from TCC’s own Concert Choir and Student String Quartet, the Sept. 7 event was held at the Cox Business Convention Center. In attendance were Vision Dinner honorees Billie Barnett, TCC Foundation trustee; Howard Barnett, former president of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa; Pierce Norton, CEO of ONEOK; and Joshua Paredes, TCC graduate and co-founder of “Don’t Clock Out,” a suicide prevention organization for health care workers. 1. 2023 Vision Dinner Committee Members Suzanne Reese, 26 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

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5 Curtis and Brenda Dinan, and Tim Jackson, along with Leigh Goodson, TCC president and CEO 2. TCC True Blue LEADs (students ambassadors) pose for a group photo at the record-making event. 3. Dr. Eleanore Payne, TCC Foundation board of trustees vice chair, and husband Larry Payne are all smiles at the Vision Dinner. 4. Sarah and Jesse Guardiola, TCC Foundation board chair 5. 2023 Vision Dinner Honoree Pierce Norton and his wife, Debbie, with Goodson and 2023 Vision Dinner Honorees Howard and Billie Barnett

AWARE LUNCHEON: JASON BLEECHER PHOTOGRAPHY; VISION DINNER: COURTESY TCC

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FEBRUARY CHARITABLE EVENTS COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

3 The Big Show Off Benefits Tulsa Day Center. thebigshowoff.org

17 Ancient Trail Trek Benefits Keystone Ancient Forest. facebook.com/keystoneancientforest

4 Dinner with Pat Gordon Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org

Pink Stiletto Benefits Susan G. Komen Foundation in Tulsa. komenoklahoma.org

9 Big Casino Night Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. bbbsok.org

Sowing Seeds for our Future Benefits Education for Scholars. educationforscholars.org/events

Carnival of Compassion Benefits Tulsa Athletic Soccer Foundation. tasoccerfoundation.org 10 Bringing Broadway Home Benefits Craft Productions of Oklahoma. craftproductions.org/fundraisers CASA Casino Benefits Tulsa CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). tulsacasa.org Cooking Up Compassion Benefits Catholic Charities. cceok.org Gospel, Grits and Gershwin Benefits Booker T. Washington Foundation. btwfoundation.net 10-11 Galentine’s Tea Party Benefits Junior League of Tulsa. jltulsa.org 15 Live United Awards Benefits Tulsa Area United Way. tauw.org

20 Bingo Night Benefits The Bridges Foundation. bridgestulsa.org/bingonight2024

DOUBLE-A AFFILIATE OF

THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS

NOW AVAILABLE

2024 MEMBERSHIPS @TULSADRILLERS

24 Death of a Gangster Benefits Philanthropic Educational Organization. okpeo.org Riverfield Rocks the Cain’s Benefits Riverfield Country Day School. riverfield.org Splash!

Benefits Oklahoma Aquarium. okaquarium.org TBH Junior Women’s Association Buttercup Bash Benefits Tulsa Boys’ Home. tulsaboyshome.org/buttercup-bash

VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM

each week for a new list of live music performances throughout Tulsa!

24-25 Natureworks Art Sale Benefits Natureworks. natureworks.org 29 TBH Women’s Association Bingo Night Benefits Tulsa Boys’ Home. tulsaboyshome.org/bingo-night TulsaPeople.com 27

COLLEGE GUIDE Oklahoma colleges and universities offer opportunities for furthering education.

COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

CARL ALBERT STATE COLLEGE 1507 S. McKenna St., Poteau; 918-647-1200 1601 S. Opdyke St., Sallisaw; 918-775-6977 carlalbert.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 1,922 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 21-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 28 NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS: 7 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, physical therapy assistant, business administration, pre-elementary education CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1933 COLLEGE OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION 2170 Raven Circle, Okmulgee 918-549-2800 cmn.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 260 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 8-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 6 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: General studies, tribal services, Mvskoke Language Certificate CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 2004 CONNORS STATE COLLEGE 700 College Road, Warner; 918-463-2931 2501 N. 41st St. E., Muskogee; 918-687-6747 connorsstate.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 2,250 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 23-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE/CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS: 22 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Agriculture, business administration, pre-nursing, nursing, general studies CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes 28 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1908 EAST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY 1100 E. 14th St., Ada 580-332-8000 ecok.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 4,149 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 65 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 16 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, education, business, biology, kinesiology, computer science CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE 1301 W. Main St., Wilburton; 918-465-2361 1802 E. College Ave., McAlester; 918-302-3607 eosc.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 1,331 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 22-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 40+ MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, business administration, agriculture, life science, respiratory therapy CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1908 LANGSTON UNIVERSITY 701 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, Langston; 405-466-3428 914 N. Greenwood Ave., Tulsa; 918-877-8100 7401 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City; 405-530-7500 2901 Mt. Washington Road, Ardmore; 580-319-0317 langston.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 3,000 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1

NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 6 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 38 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 5 master’s; 1 doctoral MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business, education, nursing and health sciences, STEM fields, broadcast journalism, psychology, organizational leadership, agribusiness CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes (Langston campus) ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural, urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1897 MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 3500 S.W. 119th St., Oklahoma City 405-691-3800 macu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 2200 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 13-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 171 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 27 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business and ethics, psychology, biology and education (undergraduate); counseling, business (graduate) CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban MURRAY STATE COLLEGE 1 Murray Campus Drive, Tishomingo 580-387-7000 mscok.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 2,172 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 52 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, gunsmithing technology, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapist assistant, veterinary nursing CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1908 CONTINUED ON P. 30

1701 W. WILL ROGERS BLVD., CLAREMORE; 918-343-7777 • 401 S. DEWEY AVE., BARTLESVILLE; 918-338-8000 • 2155 HIGHWAY 69A, PRYOR; 918-825-611 • RSU.EDU

Rogers State University

R

ogers State University boasts one of the region’s lowest student debt loads for graduates.

This is driven by RSU’s affordable tuition, along with the scholarships and financial aid available to deserving students.

RSU offers in-demand degree programs (nursing, chemical engineering, unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity) along with unmatched facilities, including world-class student housing, on-campus nature reserve, behavioral sciences lab and more. Programs in medicine are among the state’s leaders, and RSU nursing graduates are always in high demand.

RSU offers small class sizes with a student-faculty ratio of 16-to-1, allowing students to personally know their faculty. According to RSU’s Class of 2020 graduates, 94% reported they were sat-

isfied to very satisfied with their overall RSU experience.

RSU is the Tulsa metro area’s only public university with on-campus housing, allowing students to fully participate in the traditional college experience.

Campus residents enjoy a variety of amenities including a swimming pool, sand volleyball court, outdoor gathering spaces with a fire pit, movie rooms, themed housing areas and nearby hiking/walking trails.

RSU has more than 40 student organizations that promote involvement and leadership, along with 12 NCAA Division II sports. The RSU women’s softball team won the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship. RSU offers bachelor’s and associate degrees entirely online, along with an online MBA, all for an affordable value.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1909

NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 2

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT: 3,177

NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 22

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 16-TO-1

NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 12

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Nursing, Business, Chemical Engineering, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Cybersecurity .

RSU is the only public university in the Tulsa metro area that offers a full collegiate experience, from residential life to NCAA athletics. RSU is affordable, with half of our graduates earning a degree with no student debt. ✓ Programs in today’s top fields, on campus and online. ✓ Additional scholarship support for freshmen and transfers. ✓ Ranked among the top 25 colleges in the west by U.S. News and World Report.

CLAREMORE | BARTLESVILLE | PRYOR | ONLINE WWW.RSU.EDU | 918-343-7777

RogersStateU | #HillcatNation TulsaPeople.com 29

CONTINUED FROM P. 28

NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE 200 I St. N.E., Miami 918-540-6203 neo.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 1,242 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 22-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 32 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: General studies, nursing, business administration, agriculture, psychology CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1919 NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY 600 N. Grand Ave., Tahlequah; 918-456-5511 2400 W. Shawnee St., Muskogee; 918-683-0040 3100 New Orleans St., Broken Arrow; 918-449-6000 nsuok.edu TYPE: 4-year, public TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 8,098 (on three campuses and online, unduplicated headcount) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 62 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 26 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Undergraduate: Psychology, business administration, health and human performance, elementary education, general studies; Graduate: business administration (MBA), nursing, counseling, special education — autism spectrum disorders, school administration NORTHERN OKLAHOMA COLLEGE 1220 E. Grand Ave., Tonkawa; 580-628-6200 615 N. Monroe St., Stillwater; 580-628-6900 100 S. University Ave., Enid; 480-242-6300 noc.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 3,374 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 49 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business, education, health, physical education and recreation CAMPUS HOUSING: Tonkawa, Enid ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1901 OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY 500 W. University St., Shawnee 405-275-2850 okbu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 1,526 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO:15-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 80 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 5 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, exercise science, biology, psychology, education, business, communication studies CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes 30 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1910 OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 2501 E. Memorial Road, Edmond 405-425-5000 oc.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 2,153 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 13-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 81 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 9 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Mechanical engineering, nursing, cybersecurity, gaming and animation, computer science CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1950 OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 7777 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City 405-682-1611 occc.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 16,481 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 23-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE/CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS: 87 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Diversified studies, business, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, computer science CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1972 OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City 405-208-5000 okcu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 2,746 (1,430 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 11-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 62 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 27 master’s; 4 doctoral; 1 juris doctorate MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Liberal arts, performing arts, law, business, health professions CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1904 OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 107 Whitehurst, Stillwater 405-744-5000 okstate.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 26,008 (21,339 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 18-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 237 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 90 master’s; 54 doctoral MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business administration, agriculture, engineering

CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1890 OSU CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 1111 W. 17th St. 918-582-1972 medicine.okstate.edu TYPE: 2-to-4-year, graduate, public ENROLLMENT: 1,613 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 7.8-1 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 14 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Health Care Administration CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1972 OSU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1801 E. Fourth St., Okmulgee 918-293-4976 osuit.edu TYPE: 2-year, with some 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 2,364 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 33 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S OF TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS: 5 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Allied health sciences, information technologies, highvoltage line technician, air conditioning and refrigeration technology, engineering technologies CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1946 OSU OKC 900 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City 405-947-4421 osuokc.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 4,140 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 1 with 45 major options MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1961 OSU TULSA 700 N. Greenwood Ave. 918-594-8000 tulsa.okstate.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 2,649 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 25 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 10 master’s; 4 doctoral

MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Management, marketing, finance, mechanical engineering, accounting, psychology, organizational leadership and educational leadership CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1999 OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY 2201 Silver Lake Road, Bartlesville 918-335-6828 okwu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 1,000 (650 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 9-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 6 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 38 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 12 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business, nursing, elementary education, exercise science, ministry CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1905 ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY 7777 S. Lewis Ave. 918-495-6161 oru.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 5,365 (3,414 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 69 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 23 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Ministry and leadership, nursing, psychology, business administration, engineering CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1963 PHILLIPS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 901 N. Mingo Road 918-610-8303 ptstulsa.edu TYPE: Graduate theological seminary ENROLLMENT: 140 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 10-1 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 5 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Divinity, ministry CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1906 ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore; 918-343-7777 401 S. Dewey Ave., Bartlesville; 918-338-8000 2155 Highway 69A, Pryor; 918-825-6117 rsu.edu

TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 3,200 (3,081 undergraduates) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 16-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 12 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 21 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 2 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business, nursing, chemical engineering, cybersecurity, biology, social sciences, fine art, unmanned aircraft systems CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1909 ROSE STATE COLLEGE 6420 S.E. 15th St., Midwest City 405-733-7673 rose.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 7,111 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 21-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 60+ MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, business/information technologies, dental hygiene, engineering, aerospace CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1970 SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE 2701 Boren Blvd., Seminole 405-382-9950 sscok.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 1,300 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 16-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 5, plus 18 transfer associate degree programs MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Health sciences, business, nursing, liberal studies, criminal justice CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Rural YEAR FOUNDED: 1931 SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 425 W. University Blvd., Durant 580-745-2000 se.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 5,623 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 18-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 45 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 48 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Aviation, elementary education, business and leadership, fisheries and wildlife CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1909

SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY 6729 N.W. 39th Expressway, Bethany 405-789-6400 snu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 2,208 (1,000 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 14-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 50 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 10 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Kinesiology, biochemistry, education, graphic design, business, theology, music CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1899 SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 7210 N.W. 39th Expressway, Bethany 405-789-7661 swcu.edu TYPE: 4-year, private ENROLLMENT: 460 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 11-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 15 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 3 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business administration CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1946 TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Metro campus, 909 S. Boston Ave. Northeast campus, 3727 E. Apache St. Southeast campus, 10300 E. 81st St. West campus, 7505 W. 41st St. Riverside community campus and aviation center, 112 W. Beechcraft Drive Owasso community campus, 10800 N. 140th E. Ave., Owasso 918-595-8000 tulsacc.edu TYPE: 2-year, public ENROLLMENT: 14,538 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 19-1 NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE/CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS: 102 degree and certification programs MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Business administration, liberal arts, enterprise development, pre-nursing and nursing CAMPUS HOUSING: No ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1970 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 100 N. University Drive, Edmond 405-974-2727 uco.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 12,148 (10,530 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 16-1 TulsaPeople.com 31

NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 119 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 81 MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Nursing, forensic science, finance, psychology and biology CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1890 UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 660 Parrington Oval, Norman 405-325-0311 ou.edu TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 29,166 (22,046 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 16.4-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 127 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 112 master’s; 57 doctoral; 1 professional MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Psychology, biology, finance, health and exercise science, marketing CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Suburban YEAR FOUNDED: 1890 OU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER 1105 Stonewall Ave., Oklahoma City 405-271-2332 ouhsc.edu

TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 3,563 (1,143 undergraduate — includes Tulsa) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 8-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 10 (includes HSC programs at OU-Tulsa) NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 54 (including 5 certificates) (includes HSC programs at OU-Tulsa) MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Medicine M.D., Nursing B.S.N., physical therapy, Dentistry D.D.S, graduate college doctoral research CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1910 OU TULSA 4502 E. 41st St. 918-660-3000 ou.edu/tulsa TYPE: 4-year, public ENROLLMENT: 1,100 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 15-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 7 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 13 master’s; 13 graduate programs; 7 doctoral MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Social work, undergraduate nursing, physician assistant, allied health, education, OU Polytechnic programs CAMPUS HOUSING: No

20-month programs that prepare graduates for entry-level positions in software development.

Computer Science and Full-Stack Web Development Computer Science and Machine Learning

ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1957 UNIVERSITY OF TULSA 800 S. Tucker Drive 918-631-2000 utulsa.edu TYPE: 4-year, private research institution ENROLLMENT: 3,769 (2,647 undergraduate) STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 9-1 NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 71 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 30 master’s; 16 doctoral MOST POPULAR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Mechanical engineering, computer science, biology, psychology, exercise and sports science, nursing, finance and management CAMPUS HOUSING: Yes ONLINE CLASSES/PROGRAMS: Yes CAMPUS SETTING: Urban YEAR FOUNDED: 1894

Read about popular regional universities in the online version at TulsaPeople.com

Peer Learning that emphasizes working with and learning from other students Project-Based Education that mirrors the experience of the workplace Professional Development that prepares graduates for success in the workforce

Computer Science and Linux, Advanced Algorithms, & Blockchain

Visit us at our downtown campus or atlasschool.com to learn more!

32 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

800 S. TUCKER DRIVE, TULSA • 918-631-2000 • UTULSA.EDU

The University of Tulsa

T

he University of Tulsa is a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by the commitment to diversity, equity and service, TU prepares individuals to make meaningful contributions to campus, the community and the world.

Undergraduates can learn about themselves and the world through areas of studies ranging from the arts and humanities to business, technology, engineering, health and education. The Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge enables undergraduates to conduct advanced research with the guidance of top TU professors. In 2023, TU established the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship with a goal of raising $10 million to help the campus community commercialize intellectual property, create new ventures and attain venture capital funding.

TU aims to provide seed capital for the next 100 companies started by TU students, faculty and alumni. Third Floor Design, TEDxUTulsa, Make a Difference Engineering and Pathways to Sports Academy are just some of the other educational advancement offerings.

An unexpected perk for first-year freshmen and transfer undergraduate students include free textbooks.

TU’s Center for Development, aka Cane Careers, provides extensive job preparation for students throughout their academic journeys. The university’s job placement guarantee promises that students who follow the program will land an entry-level job in their chosen field or continue their education within six months of graduation or the student will be given a free semester of grad school.

Graduate programs and degree options span the spectrum — from museum studies, law and psychology to sports leadership, nursing, cybersecurity, literature and creative writing.

On campus, all students have access to free Division 1 athletics and can participate in the time-honored tradition of TU tailgates before every home football game. Intramural sports, fraternities and sororities, and on-campus groups, clubs and activities make for a robust and energizing environment.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1894 ENROLLMENT: 3,775 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9-to-1 NUMBER OF ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 30 master’s, 16 doctoral NUMBER OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 71

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION TU is home to the most National Merit Scholars in the U.S. per capita.

Picture yourself at TU! The University of Tulsa provides a world-class education in a top-ranked research setting. TU’s 9:1 student-faculty ratio, state-of-the-art facilities and beautiful campus have attracted a record number of National Merit scholars for fall 2023.

Applications for undergraduate and graduate programs open now.

#7 in the nation for engineering Money Magazine 2020

4 STARS one of best colleges in the nation Money 2023

#1 National Merit Scholars per capita

#70

TOP 100 private research institution

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report

best value among all national universities

97% job placement rate

#12 in the nation for highest paying engineering jobs Wall Street Journal 2023

Applications are open for fall 2024 start.

TU is an EEO/AA institution, including disability/veteran. TU#24032

MEETING THE CHALLENGE The University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute in Tulsa prepares graduates to transform industries in Oklahoma by offering innovative programs that meet growing demands in the field. The Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity was created to meet this need and provide a world-class education.

APPLY FOR THE INAUGURAL CYBERSECURITY DEGREE CLASS AT OUPI IN TULSA TODAY. OU.EDU/TULSA/POLYTECHNIC

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

THE #1 UNIVERSITY IN OKLAHOMA At the University of Oklahoma, we put our pride to work.

We strive for excellence beyond the classroom, beyond the lab, beyond the playing field.

OUR COLLECTIVE PURSUIT CONTINUES WITH YOU.

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

OU.EDU

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. ou.edu/eoo.

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE Whether you’re looking for a specific religious denomination, a particular academic curriculum or to meet a student’s unique needs, there’s likely a school that can accommodate your desires. Here, we’ve compiled updated information for 36 local options.

COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

SCHOOL

GRADE LEVELS

UNIFORMS

FINANCIAL AID

TUITION (ANNUAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

STUDENTTEACHER RATIO

AFFILIATION

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

BEFOREAND AFTERSCHOOL CARE

REGISTRATION

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL 299 S. Ninth St., Broken Arrow 918-251-3000 | allsaintsba.com

PreK-8th

Yes

Yes

$6,104 (Catholic); $7,044 (non-parishioner)

19-1

Catholic

391

Yes

Open as space allows.

AUGUSTINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6310 E. 30th St. 918-832-4600 | acatulsa.org

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

$7,760-$9,315

12-1

Christian

180

Yes

New students can apply in March; August enrollment deadline; admissions stop when classes are full.

BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL 3905 S. Hudson Ave. 918-627-3390 | bishopkelley.org

9th-12th

Yes

Yes

$10,770-$13,070

12-1

Catholic, Lasallian

896

No

Ongoing.

CASCIA HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2520 S. Yorktown Ave Lower: 918-746-2616; Upper: 918-746-2600 casciahall.com

6th-12th

Yes

Yes

$17,550

10-1

Catholic, Augustinian

543

Yes

Exam and interview process.

CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY 3702 S. 90th E. Ave. 918-628-6524 christianmontessoriacademy.org

PreK-8th

No

Temporary aid for families struggling through a hardship

$670-$1,075, monthly

8-1

Montessori

67

Yes

Ongoing.

CROSSOVER PREPARATORY ACADEMY 5424 N. Madison Ave. 918-986-7499 | crossoverprep.org

6th-12th, boys; 6th-9th, girls

Yes

Yes

$7,500

8-1

Christian

125

After-school extracurricular activities

Ongoing.

Yes

Sliding scale.

varies from 4-1 to 6-1

Christian

63

Yes, for Happy Hands Education Center

Ongoing for Happy Hands Education Center; Deaf Christian Academy follows a typical enrollment period.

Yes

$8,000-$23,500

10-1

Episcopal

1,020

Yes

Rolling admission; hollandhall.org/ admission

HAPPY HANDS EDUCATION CENTER/ DEAF CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 8801 S. Garnett Road, Broken Arrow 918-893-4800 | happyhands.org

HOLLAND HALL 5666 E. 81st St. 918-481-1111 | hollandhall.org

For children who are deaf, hard of hearing or have Required communicative for Deaf disorders; infant-6 Christian years (Happy Hands Academy Education Center); 1st-3rd (Deaf Christian Academy)

PreK 3-12th

Yes

TulsaPeople.com 39

SCHOOL

GRADE LEVELS

UNIFORMS

FINANCIAL AID

TUITION (ANNUAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

STUDENTTEACHER RATIO

AFFILIATION

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

BEFOREAND AFTERSCHOOL CARE

REGISTRATION

HOLY FAMILY CLASSICAL SCHOOL: THE PARISH SCHOOL OF HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL PARISH 820 S. Boulder Ave. | 918-582-0422 holyfamilyclassicalschool.org

PK3-12th

Yes

Yes

$5,000-$7,500

12-1

Roman Catholic, Classical

240

Yes

Recommended in November for the following August.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 400 N. Aspen, Broken Arrow 918-251-5422 | ilcanews.org

6 weeks12th grade

Required for K-12

Yes

Early education: $800-$975, monthly; K-8th, $7,531; 9th-12th, $8,687

Early education, 12-1; PreK, 15-1; K-12th, 20-1

Lutheran

310

Yes

Ongoing.

Yes

3-year-old, 3-year-old-PreK, 16-3; PreK, 16-2; $6,775; K, $7,905; Kindergarten, 16-1; 1st-6th, $8,280; 1st-4th, 18-1; 7th-8th, $8,653; 5th-6th, 20-1; 9th-12th, $9,028 7th-12th, 24-1

Christian; non-denominational

1,030

Yes

Ongoing.

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1003 N. 129th E. Ave. 918-828-9200 lincolnchristianschool.com

3 years old12th

Yes

MARQUETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 1519 S. Quincy Ave., 918-584-4631; Early Childhood Development Center: 1528 S. Quincy Ave. 918-583-3334 marquetteschool.org

PreK-8th

Yes

Yes

$6,440 (parishioner and multipe child discounts), $8,160 non-parishioner

METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6363 S. Trenton Ave. 918-745-9868 | metroca.com

P3-12th

Yes

Yes

$3,380-$13,100 with multiple-child, Early Childhood, pastor and alumni 10-1; K-12th, 11-1 discounts

MINGO VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 8304 S. 107th E. Ave. 918-294-0404 | mingovalley.org

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

$9,464-$11,544

MISS HELEN’S PRIVATE SCHOOL 4849 S. Mingo Road 918-622-2327 | misshelens.com

PreK-5th

Yes

No

MIZEL JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL 2021 E. 71st St. 918-494-0953 | mizelschool.org

PreK (3-year-old)-5th

Yes

MONTE CASSINO SCHOOL 2206 S. Lewis Ave. 918-742-3364 | montecassino.org

PreK-8th

PEACE ACADEMY 4620 S. Irvington Ave. 918-627-1040 | patulsa.org

Catholic

480

Yes

School tours and testing by appointment.

Inquire at marquetteschool.org/ admissions

Christian; nondenominational

1,148

After school care

To apply go to: metroca.com/ admissions/apply

10-1

Christian

350

Yes

Ongoing.

$930-$950, monthly

Pre-school, 8-1; K-5th, 15-1

N/A

140

Yes

Ongoing.

Yes

$9,000

8-1

Jewish

52

After-care enrichment program

Ongoing.

Yes

Yes

$7,800-$13,500

early development, 8-1; elementary, 10-1; middle school, 16-1

Catholic

776

Yes

Ongoing.

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

Preschool, $6,700; K-12th, $6,300

5-1 to 25-1

Islamic

240

Yes

Ongoing pending class capacity.

PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF BROKEN ARROW 1701 W. Albany St., Broken Arrow 918-355-6827 | primroseba.com

Infants-PreK

Yes, preschool -K

No

$1,192-$1,408, monthly

8-1

N/A

50

Yes

Ongoing. Kindergarten registration set for 2024-2025.

PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF SOUTH TULSA 10185 S. 85th E. Ave. 918-364-0021 primroseschools.com/schools/south-tulsa

Infants-PreK

PreK only

No

$1,300, monthly

9-1

N/A

175

Yes

Ongoing.

REGENT PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF OKLAHOMA 8621 S. Memorial Drive 918-663-1002 | rpsok.org

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

$4,750-$11,975

14-1

Christian

601

No

Ongoing.

Yes

Registration begins Dec. 1. Preschool applicants complete a 30-minute developmental screening. K-12th applicants complete an academic screening.

Screening appointments are made in the online application.

REJOICE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 10701 N. 129th E. Ave., Owasso (Preschool/elementary) 13407 E. 106th St. N., Owasso (middle and high school) 918-516-0050 | rejoiceschool.com

40 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Preschool12th

No

Yes

$2,980-$8,870

22-1

16-1

Christian

1,137

CONTINUED ON P. 42

CONTINUED FROM P. 40 TUITION (ANNUAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

BEFOREAND AFTERSCHOOL CARE

REGISTRATION

based nonsectarian; Reggio$12,495-$16,335 4-1 toon15-1 age inspired

625

Yes

Ongoing.

Yes

$5,000-$6,000

12-1

Catholic

160

Yes

Ongoing.

17-1

Catholic

362

Yes

Ongoing.

SCHOOL

GRADE LEVELS

UNIFORMS

FINANCIAL AID

RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 2433 W. 61st St. 918-446-3553 | riverfield.org

Infants-12th

No

Yes

SAINT CATHERINE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2515 W. 46th St. 918-446-9756 saintcatherineschool.org

PreK-8th

Yes

STUDENTTEACHER RATIO

AFFILIATION

SAINT PIUS X SCHOOL 1717 S. 75th E. Ave. 918-627-5367 | school.spxtulsa.org

Preschool-8th

Yes

Yes

PreK, $6,931; K-8th, $6,024 (parishioner, multiple child discounts); K-8th, $7,765 (nonparishioner)

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL SCHOOL 1428 N. 67th E. Ave. 918-836-2165 peterandpaultulsa.org

Pre-K-8th

Yes

Yes

$7,500

18-1

Catholic

164

After-school care

Begins Feb. 1.

Roman Catholic

316

Yes

As needed.

SCHOOL OF SAINT MARY 1365 E. 49th Place 918-749-9361 schoolofsaintmary.com

PreK-8th

Yes

Yes

$2,607-$7,403

K-2,15-1; grades 3-8 have a max of 30 students with smaller classes for math and language arts

SOLID FOUNDATION PREPARATORY ARTS ACADEMY 4025 N. Hartford Ave. 918-794-7800 | sfpaeagles.com

PreK-5th

Yes

No

PreK3, $5,760; PreK4-5th, $7,500

12-1

Fine arts academy

75

Yes

To apply: sfpaeagles.com/ admissions

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 200 E. Broadway (K-8th) and 3500 W. New Orleans St. (9th-12th), Broken Arrow 918-251-1997 | summit.school

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

$7,131-$8,721

12-1

Christian

623

Yes

Begins Feb. 1.

No

Students must have a diagnosis from a doctor to enroll.

Christian orientation; 12-3 with however, LLH is open to 116, additional daily all children with physical development therapeutic and mental challenges center; intervention from a developmental 126, Early an interdisciplinary causing delay in two or more intervention team areas of development.

THE LITTLE LIGHT HOUSE 5120 E. 36th St. 918-664-6746 | littlelighthouse.org

birth-age 6

No

No

Free

THE SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL OF TULSA 2444 E. Admiral Blvd.

918-728-7337 | sanmigueltulsa.org

6th-8th

Yes

Yes

$100, monthly

12-1

Lasallian

72

Extended school day

Rolling admissions February-August.

TOWN AND COUNTRY SCHOOL 8906 E. 34th St. 918-296-3113 | tandcschool.org

2nd-12th

No

Yes

$14,640-$16,410

6-1

Improving the lives of students with learning disabilities by nurturing academic, social and personal growth.

179

Yes

Ongoing.

TULSA ADVENTIST ACADEMY 900 S. New Haven Ave. 918-834-1107 | tulsaacademy.org

PreK-12th

Yes

Yes

PreK-8, $6,060; 9th-12th, $7,150

15-1

Christian

100

After school care MondayThursday

Ongoing.

Early childhood, $7,615-$11,395; elementary, $12,025-$12,335; middle, $12,960

22-2

Montessori

235

Yes

Ongoing (dependent on availability).

Early childhood and primary, $12,015; lower school, $12,615; upper school, $13,245

6-1

Gifted

185

Yes

Ongoing.

UNDERCROFT MONTESSORI SCHOOL 3745 S. Hudson Ave. 918-622-2890 | undercroft.org

Age 3-8th grade

No

Tuition assistance after first year

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA 326 S. College Ave. 918-631-5060 | uschool.utulsa.edu

PreK-8th

No

Yes

42 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

SCHOOL

GRADE LEVELS

UNIFORMS

FINANCIAL AID

TUITION (ANNUAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

STUDENTTEACHER RATIO

AFFILIATION

TOTAL ENROLLMENT

BEFOREAND AFTERSCHOOL CARE

REGISTRATION

VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 7700 S. Lewis Ave. 918-491-7720 | vcstulsa.org

K3-12th

Dress Code

Yes

$8,200-$8,995

12-1

Christian

1,170

Yes

Ongoing.

Yes

Preschool, $2,815$7,035; elementary, $6,940; middle school, $7,875; high school, $8,455

9-1

Christian

250

Yes

Ongoing.

WRIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 11391 E. Admiral Place 918-438-0922 wrightchristianacademy.com

PreK-12th

Yes

available anytime, anywhere.

TulsaPeople.com/ digitaledition

Preschool Playdate May 4 • 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

• Learn about University School while your preschooler plays • Meet University School teachers and staff, take a tour of the facilities and attend a Q&A session with the directors

CALL 631-5060, EMAIL USCHOOL@UTULSA.EDU OR REGISTER ONLINE.

UTULSA.EDU/USCHOOL TU is an EEO/AA institution.

PreK3-8th grade gifted children TulsaPeople.com 43

2206 S. LEWIS AVE., TULSA • 918-742-3364 • MONTECASSINO.ORG

Monte Cassino School

M

onte Cassino’s commitment to Catholic instruction focuses on eight universal Benedictine values: Love of Learning, Seek God, Prayer, Community, Simplicity and Balance, Hospitality, Service and Stewardship.

These values enable students of all faiths to build life skills and grow in their own spirituality while serving the community around them. Monte Cassino’s rigorous, challenging and focused curriculum helps develop well-rounded and morally grounded students who are prepared for high school and life beyond.

For nearly 100 years, Monte Cassino’s dedicated faculty has provided a comprehensive educational experience by offering the traditional subjects of reading, writing, math and the sciences while also providing excellent programs in music, art, foreign language, STEM and athletics. Students also enjoy the co-curricular program of over 25 clubs and offerings such as robotics, coding, chess, Makerspaces, musical theater, Academic Bowl, MCTV Broadcasting, book

clubs, STEAM and more. The independent, Benedictine Catholic, PreK3-8th grade school features a campus-wide average class size of 17 and a 10-to-1 student/teacher ratio.

The Early Childhood Learning Center, grades Prek3-K, has an 8-to-1 ratio.

Experiential learning is important. Monte Cassino offers unique and learning-based field trips, service days and project work. The school’s athletics department offers team sports, ongoing development clinics and camps. Monte Cassino holds many state championships in basketball, volleyball and Academic Bowl. Monte Cassino participates in the OK Parental Choice Tax Credit Program. More than $850,000 in tuition assistance was provided last year. Come see how a Monte Cassino education can make a difference for your family. To schedule a tour and for more information, contact Brooke Jones at: bjones@montecassino.org or 918-746-4238.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

ENROLLMENT: 780

Monte Cassino School is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Cognia, and is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools.

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 8-to-1, ECLC; 16-to-1, elementary and middle schools GRADES: Pre-K–8th grade

5666 EAST 81ST STREET, TULSA • 918.481.1111 • HOLLANDHALL.ORG

Holland Hall

H

olland Hall celebrated its anniversary in 2022, and its mission is the same as it was when it began — to provide a school “where each student may receive individual attention, within reach of any citizen of Tulsa.”

Holland Hall’s intentionally small-scale approach assures teachers truly know who their students are and where their strengths and passions lie.

“Students find it all at Holland Hall, and every student can find a place to excel,” says Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management Justin Butler ‘O4. Holland Hall students see an average score of 1360 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT. Historically, 100% of graduates who apply are accepted to a four-year college and 90% of graduates receive some form of college scholarship.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1922 ENROLLMENT: 1,034 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9-to-1 GRADES: Early Pre-K–12th grade

Holland Hall students have opportunities beyond the classroom, too. The Upper School offers 62 different art courses, 18 individual and team sports, and more than 30 clubs.

A Holland Hall education may be more affordable than expected. More than 31% of all students receive some form of tuition assistance.

“We believe the best way to learn what makes Holland Hall different is to visit our 167-acre campus and see for yourself,” Butler says. In addition to private tours, the school offers open houses on “Welcome Wednesdays.”

To learn more, visit hollandhall.org/admission or email justin.butler@hollandhall.org.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Holland Hall is the only Cum Laude School in Tulsa.

Colleges see having a Cum Laude Society chapter as a critical mark of academic excellence.

COMMUNITY Our youngest learners go to PE every day with the same coaches who lead our championshipwinning basketball and football teams — building true community.

CONNECTION With a 9:1 faculty to student ratio and deliberately small class sizes, our students truly connect and develop strong relationships and a solid liberal arts education.

CREATION The arts are an integral at Holland Hall. All students share in the creation of music, painting, ceramics, dance and more.

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES Now enrolling for the 2024-25 school year.

2433 W. 61ST ST., TULSA • 918-446-3553 • RIVERFIELD.ORG

Riverfield Country Day School R

iverfield Country Day School is a secular, independent private school nestled on 120 acres in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Founded in 1984, Riverfield provides infants through high school seniors a learning environment that ignites adventure, inspires inquiry and builds excellence to empower students to change their world. We believe students are innately intelligent and competent, and learner-centered inquiry is the underpinning of learning. Riverfield’s small class sizes and highly qualified teachers focus on nurturing each individual’s unique cognitive, physical, behavioral, social and emotional growth and development. Tremendous family involvement and the examples set by our faculty and staff as life-long learners are all evidence of “The Riverfield Way.” Schedule your tour of Riverfield today by contacting Director of Admissions Kacey Davenport, 918-446-3553 or email kdavenport@riverfield.org.

Riverfield is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1984

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

ENROLLMENT: 625 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 4-to-1 to 15-1 (based on age/grade level)

Riverfield’s country campus is a unique landscape that cultivates creativity, reflection, learning and community with expanded athletics facilities, the new state-of-the-art Center for Creativity, hiking trails, creeks and ponds, and a barnyard with animals.

GRADES: Infants-12th grade

Ignite Adventure. Inspire Inquiry. Build Excellence.

They will change their world.

Riverfield students explore and learn throughout our 120-acre campus, expanded athletics facilities, and in the new Center for Creativity—featuring recording, film and visual arts studios, Esports, black box theatre, makers space, and the Riverfield Rocks program.

Schedule your tour today • riverfield.org • 918.446.3553 48 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

6363 S. TRENTON AVE., TULSA • 918-745-9868 • METROCA.COM

Metro Christian Academy D

iscover a unique blend of academic excellence, faith-based values and a thriving community at Metro Christian Academy — an interdenominational Christian school serving students ages 3-12th grade.

At Metro, community is the core of everything. It’s not just a school; it’s a family.

Students, parents, faculty and staff collaborate to create an environment that fosters growth and helps each student realize their full potential.

High school at Metro is more than just classes; it’s a journey of growth and preparation. A freshman foundations class lays the groundwork for high school, while a senior Bible seminar equips students for life beyond the classroom. With a range of on-level, honors and advanced placement classes, students can tailor their education to pursue their passions and excel academically. The school also offers concurrent enrollment classes, enabling students to earn college credits and get a head start on their higher education journey.

Beyond academics, Metro Christian Academy boasts competitive varsity sports teams; vibrant fine arts programs including band, art and drama; a high school robotics team; as well as leadership and missions classes. It’s an approach to education that goes beyond textbooks.

To explore admissions or schedule a tour, call 918-745-9868 or go online to visitmetro.com.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

YEAR FOUNDED: 1983 ENROLLMENT: 1,150 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 12-to-1

Metro’s elementary program offers two options for students. One features traditional curriculum that students may join at any time. The other is a Spanish immersion section that students may enter in Pre-K or Kindergarten and continue through 5th grade. Spanish immersion students become bilingual by learning core subject content in Spanish including history, language arts, science and math.

GRADES: P3-12th grade

REGISTER FOR A TOUR AT VISITMETRO.COM 6363 S. TRENTON AVE. | TULSA, OK 74136 | WWW.METROCA.COM | 918.745.9868

TulsaPeople.com 49

2520 SOUTH YORKTOWN AVENUE, TULSA • 918.746. 2600 • CASCIAHALL.COM

Cascia Hall Preparatory School

S

tudents are prepared for college and for life at Cascia Hall — a Catholic, Augustinian school for students of all faiths in grades 6-12. We seek to educate the whole person by balancing challenging academics with excellent opportunities in athletics, the arts and community service. With a small student/teacher ratio, students are related to as individuals, resulting in higher motivation and levels of success.

Cascia’s innovative approach to teaching and learning engages and inspires its students to lead meaningful lives. Students are strategically trained in personal growth, leadership, life skills, and health and wellness.

Attending seven classes a day with opportunities for college credit through Advanced Placement courses and concurrent enrollment provides a pathway for academic excellence for young women and men. One hundred percent of Cascia Hall students matriculate to college following graduation. On average, seniors are offered more than $7 million in achievement-based scholarships.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926 UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT: 540 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9-TO-1

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION At Cascia Hall, the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love have guided our faculty, staff, and student body in their daily lives since the school’s inception in 1926.

2023 SENIOR ACHIEVEMENTS

GRADES: 6th-12th grades

1

NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST

1

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED

12

STUDENTS SCORED 30 OR HIGHER ON THE ACT

18

OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS

56

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS

4

COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

$5.4M

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED

50 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

1519 S. QUINCY AVE., TULSA • 918.584-4631 • MARQUETTESCHOOL.ORG

Marquette Catholic School M

arquette Catholic School has been educating the next generation for more than 100 years. Offering preschool (age 3) through grade 8, Marquette is a place and community that first and foremost belongs to Jesus Christ. Students are formed with care, intentionality and excellence, and then sent out into the world to transform it. In the Early Childhood Development Center, 3- and 4-year-olds are immersed in a rich curriculum that prioritizes their physical and emotional needs in classrooms custom-made for their size.

In kindergarten through eighth grade, Marquette teachers focus on developing well-rounded, happy and faith-filled students through a whole-child approach. The rigorous academic curriculum upholds the Catholic tradition as faith animates every aspect of the school. The Sacraments, prayer and liturgy are not afterthoughts, but the source and summit of the school’s existence. With an enrollment of approximately 500 (PK-grade 8), students possess great character and virtue, and are academically prepared for high school. The best way to experience the Marquette community is to see it for yourself.

Schedule a private tour today!

YEAR FOUNDED: 1918

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

ENROLLMENT: Approximately 500

Marquette Catholic School is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma Private School Accrediting Commission.

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 22-to-1 GRADES: Preschool (age 3) - Grade 8

Over 100 Years of Academic Excellence SCHEDULE A TOUR! marquetteschool.org

Diocesan Catholic school PK3 - Grade 8 Whole-child educational approach TulsaPeople.com 51

A Catholic Education in the Lasallian Tradition

8

2023 National Merit Semifinalists

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR

FALL 2024!

A P P LY T O D AY

4

National Indigenous Scholars

60 YEARS OF LOVING LEARNING

Tulsa‘s first and only accredited Montessori School for children age 3 - 8th Grade

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY! undercroft.org | 918-622-2890

70TH ANNIVERSARY Providing peace of mind for families since 1954.

Miss Helen’s Private School 4849 South Mingo Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 918.622.2327 misshelens.com

52 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

ROUND 1 NOMINATIONS Nominate your favorite Tulsa businesses to the 2024 A-LIST and you could win one of FIVE prizes in our FIRST ROUND Ballot! The A-LIST SECOND ROUND Finals in April will provide additional chances to win great prizes!

Visit TulsaPeople.com to nominate Tulsa’s BEST businesses in these five areas: DINE LOCAL • FUN FOR ALL • SERVICES • HEAD TO TOE • SHOP LOCAL VISIT FEBRUARY 1-18 FIRST PRIZE: $200 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TRAVERS MAHAN! FOUR ADDITIONAL WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CARD TO ONE OF THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES: DALESANDRO’S, IDA RED, SISSEROU’S OR SUSHI HANA! Nominations can be made once each day.

50% of a ballot must be completed to be eligible for a prize and must be 18 or older to win. Only one contest entry per email address.

TULSA'S PREMIER AWA RD-WINNING MEDICA L SPA !

BA Medical Spa of fers the newest, most innovative products and treatments. Our team of medical professionals are here to help you look and feel your best. Get star ted now 918 - 872- 9999.

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fleetfeettulsa.com 918-492-3338 56 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

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TulsaPeople.com 57

LEGENDS

Former president of Tulsa Community College and member of Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame

BY MICHAEL OVERALL 58 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

MICHELLE POLLARD

Dean VanTrease

D

ean VanTrease took final exams one morning in 1970 to complete a doctorate degree at the University of North Texas. Finished by noon, and having already packed all their belongings, VanTrease picked up his wife, Vesta, and left immediately for Tulsa.

He had already been working as the executive vice president for the new Tulsa Junior College, now known as Tulsa Community College. Tasked with recruiting the school’s original faculty, VanTrease worked remotely from Texas for several months and commuted back and forth to Tulsa on the weekends until he finished his own education.

TCC’s fi rst classes were held on Sept.

12, 1970, in leased office space at the Sinclair Oil building near Ninth Street and Boston Avenue. By the time VanTrease became president in 1989, TCC had three campuses spread across the Tulsa metropolitan area and more than 22,000 students.

He added the West Campus in 1996, the same year the Performing Arts Center for Education opened at TCC’s Southeast Campus.

“To run a school like TCC, that’s not an easy job,” VanTrease says. “I mean, there are so many people involved. You’ve got all kinds of students. You’ve got all kinds of faculty — day and night, part time, full time. That’s a lot of responsibility. And then just for the fun of it, you build a Performing Arts Center.”

VanTrease retired in 2004 at age 65.

His honors include the Whitney M. Young Award from the Tulsa Urban League.

VanTrease was inducted into the Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame in 1999 and into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2005.

He and his wife currently live in south Tulsa, where he remains actively involved with TCC’s Signature Symphony.

“They won’t let me leave,” the 85-yearold jokes.

It’s quite the contrast from 53 years ago, when some Tulsans weren’t happy to see VanTrease move to the city and warned him that efforts to build a community college here would never work.

“They told us in the paper not to pack our bags because they didn’t want us here,” VanTrease remembers. “They said if you don’t have grass and a football team, you’ll never make it.”

“They said if you don’t have grass and a football team, you’ll never make it.”

—DEAN VANTREASE WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR MOST DEFINING MOMENTS IN LIFE? VanTrease points at his wife. “She married me.”

The couple met in Spokane while VanTrease attended the University of Washington. Vesta’s father, however, wasn’t thrilled with the relationship when VanTrease took a break from college.

“The dinner conversation,” Vesta says, “went like this: ‘I don’t think any young man who drops out of college after his junior year shows much potential.’ My mother — since she was looking down the road, I’m sure — she said, ‘Well, I’m sure that his mother’ — she was a teacher — ‘his mother will make sure he goes back to school.’ They didn’t know it would be going back to school forever.”

WHAT AGE DO YOU FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW? “I feel like my age. How does it feel to be 85?

Good. I don’t have any problems.”

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? “They would probably be shocked that I dropped out of college,” he says, “and sailed for five months to New Zealand.”

VanTrease and a friend drove a 1948 Jeepster to Central America, where they hoped to join a crew aboard one of the cargo ships passing through the Panama Canal.

“Do you think those people on those ships wanted two kids to join them? Forget it.”

They eventually found a 27-foot yacht — with no motor, only sails — to take to New Zealand with a stop in the Fiji Islands.

“Most of it was good,” VanTrease says, “but when we were getting close to New Zealand we were out of food. All I’m going to say is, it was an interesting experience.”

WHAT WAS ONE OF THE WORST TIMES IN LIFE AND HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH IT? “I can hardly talk about it,” VanTrease says.

Last year, his wife developed kidney problems that required emergency surgery at Saint Francis Hospital. She experienced a “code blue” and spent a month on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Doctors even suggested taking her off life support, VanTrease says.

“I said, ‘Let’s keep her going.’”

He spent most nights sleeping beside his wife’s hospital bed.

“I’ll be forever thankful God led us to live here, we’re so close to Saint Francis,” VanTrease says. “You don’t realize how important it is in times like this.”

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? “That’s something I still think about,” VanTrease says. “I still think about it in terms of the college. I still love that college.”

A school doesn’t measure its success directly, but looks at the success of its students, he says.

“If they’re successful in whatever they do, however they change their career plans, as long as it works for them, it works for me,” he says. “That’s how I used to feel, and I still feel strongly about it.” tp

READ MORE OF THIS INTERVIEW AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM. TulsaPeople.com 59

BRINGING the HEAT 4 S P I C Y D I S H E S S U R E T O P L E A S E A N D WA R M YO U U P T H I S W I N T E R .

BY NATALIE MIKLES | PHOTOS BY MICHELLE POLLARD | ILLUSTRATIONS BY ASHLEY GUERRERO

There’s a reason many like spicy food. Sure, we like the taste of hot pepper. But the science behind it tells us a bigger story. Eating spicy foods causes a little pain, triggering a defense response in the brain.

As our taste buds might be saying, “Yes, this is good!” our brains are telling us, “Who’s trying to hurt us?”

So when we reach for another hot wing or take another scoop of nitro salsa and the heart rate rises, our eyes water and sweat begins to form on the brow, that means adrenaline is pumping. It’s the same type of thrill we get when on a roller coaster or watching a scary movie — with the benefit of eating delicious food.

One person’s idea of spicy might be a joke to a heat warrior. But there’s something for everyone in the world of hot food. In this cold month, let’s warm ourselves up from the inside out.

Here are some of our top picks for Tulsa’s spiciest dishes.

RANKING SYS T E M

JUST HOW HOT ARE THEY? An ideal start to a day for Features Editor Tim Landes includes a stack of Bramble’s jalapeno cheddar pancakes with a side of hot sauce and eggs. He loves spicy foods so much he jumped at the chance to sample these dishes and provide his heat rating in the form of our friendly Golden Driller.

MILD

60 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

WARM

HOLY SMOKES

DEAD!

Nola’s Ultimate Bloody Mary

S P I CY S I P S Restaurants, bars and cocktail lounges have taken note of the fiery craze. While spicy staples like bloody marys are menu mainstays, others are adding the heat to boozy creations in several ways. Here are some of our favorites. — ANNE BROCKMAN

T R I P L E T H R E AT L A

R O M A

P I Z Z A

Layers of flavor — and heat — is what makes La Roma’s Triple Threat pizza so good.

It’s a pizza the Azar family developed after requests for something spicy. The people who douse their pizza in red pepper flakes needed something stronger, and La Roma came through.

This pizza has three types of sausage — Italian, pork and a housemade spicy beef sausage. Then comes layers of cayenne pepper, jalapeno peppers and crushed peppers. La Roma’s classic red sauce and cheese on a thin crust offset the triple threat of sausages and peppers.

“If you want it really, really spicy we can make it very hot for you.

We can put on even more peppers,” says Souhaila Azar, who runs La Roma with her daughter, Katia.

La Roma has been a Tulsa staple for pizza and Mediterranean food since 1990 at 6027 S. Sheridan Road.

At NOLA’S, no puny bloody mary will do. The Ultimate Bloody Mary is one of the signature cocktails at the Cherry Street restaurant, 1334 E. 15th St. Made with vodka and a house-made bloody mary mix, additional heat comes from the cajun seasoning rim. Turn heads at other tables as the drink arrives with a stack of garnishes ranging from andouille sausage and a fried green tomato to grilled shrimp or a crawfish deviled egg. Bartenders also make this concoction nonalcoholic by substituting Abstinence Cape Citrus for the booze.

Along with the slow burn coming from the muddled jalapeno, those sipping on the Flying Lotus at YOKOZUNA get the cooling sensation of cucumber. It’s a cocktail with very forward gin botanicals, which is a nice change-up with a spirit other than tequila or vodka. The drink is especially nice during the restaurant’s happy hour when a selection of appetizers and rolls are discounted. Yokozuna has two Tulsa locations: 309 E. Second St. and 9146 S. Yale Ave., Suite 100.

There aren’t many places where you can dictate the level of heat in your spicy margarita. SIDECAR is one of them. The bar’s GTO Margarita features jalapeno infused tequila, Cointreau Noir, lime, cucumber and a house-made sweet and sour. Guests can ask to amp up the heat and bartenders will add more fresh jalapeno or even a dash or two of habanero bitters. It makes for a spicy, yet satisfying, cocktail. Find Sidecar at 161 S. River Front Drive, Suite B200 in Jenks, or at 1515 E. 15th St., Suite 501.

TulsaPeople.com 61

B U F FA L O INFERNO WINGS M A C K ’ S

S P I C Y P O R K B E L LY W I T H J A L A P E N O M A N D A R I N

TA S T E

You know you’re at a good restaurant when you see chefs coming in for dinner on their nights off. That’s Mandarin Taste, 9107 S. Sheridan Road, a popular spot for authentic Szechuan food and other regional dishes from across China.

The Sichuan province of China is known for its super spicy dishes. But Szechuan food is more than heat — it’s a complexity of sweet, salty and sour rounded out with the fiery chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns.

Owner Sally Yaw grew up eating bold Szechuan food, and it’s one of the fi rst things she directs customers to when they’re looking for something spicy.

A super good and super spicy dish at Mandarin Taste is the spicy pork belly with jalapeno peppers. The pork belly is cut paper-thin then stir fried with shredded jalapeno peppers. It’s an intense heat when combined with the black bean and preserved pepper sauce. Living on the edge? Order it extra spicy.

Another of the best is a Szechuan spicy chicken with peppercorns. The chicken is coated in ground peppercorns then dry stir-fried with Szechuan red pepper and peppercorns then drizzled with peppercorn oil. It’s a whole lot of heat that’s thankfully set off a bit by the rice.

62 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

W I N G S

“Give me the hottest wings you’ve got.”

It’s something often heard at Mack’s. And they’ll give it to you!

“We absolutely get people in asking for the hottest of the hot,” says Kimberly Manning, who along with her husband, Michael, owns Mack’s Wings, 782 E. Pine St. “Our regular buffalo is respectable, and we also have a hot dry seasoning called honey Sriracha. But we continually look for ways to satisfy the people seeking the set-your-mouth-on-fire flavors.”

Right now that’s the buffalo inferno — a super-hot wing. Want it even hotter? Top it with the Mack Daddy sauce.

But you don’t have to be a heat seeker to enjoy the wings at Mack’s.

The bestseller is the OK dry rub, a great wing with just a hint of heat — a sweet heat similar to barbecue sauce. The lemon pepper and lemon twist are other fan favorites. The lemon twist is a great combo of tangyhot buffalo with lemon pepper seasoning.

If you don’t love the messy stickiness of traditional hot wings, Mack’s has several great choices of dry-rubbed wings. Choose from bone-in or boneless with any of the wings. Combos come with regular or sweet potato fries. A hint from the owner: Order your fries tossed with the OK dry rub.

GHOST PEPPER EXTR A-EXTR A HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH C H I C K E N

A N D

T H E

W O L F

We’re telling you now: proceed with caution. In fact, Chicken and the Wolf’s menu also cautions no less than three times that this isn’t your average spicy chicken sandwich.

“Hotter than your mom!” “A bad motherclucker!” “Spicy as hell!” — It’s all in writing. And yet! People still order a medium and are shocked at how hot it is.

Owners Philip and Danielle Phillips created the sandwich after trips to Nashville, Tennessee, with the goal to eat as much traditional hot chicken as humanly possible. Chicken and the Wolf’s heat levels are a reflection of that Nashville authenticity. Choose your fate, ranging from no spice, extra mild, medium, hot and extra hot. And currently, Chicken and the Wolf has a ghost pepper extra-extra hot special. This one should come with a skull and cross bones warning label.

“We’ve had the wonderful fortune of watching some of Tulsa’s strongest men and women be broken down to tears for thinking they can handle our hottest chicken,” Philip says.

Everything on the menu is first tested in the kitchen, and Phillip says he’s endured much pain in the process of crafting what he thinks is Tulsa’s most perfect spicy chicken experience.

The classic sandwich is brined and tenderized, then twice-fried for an extra crispy crust. It’s served on a brioche bun with comeback sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, freshly cracked black pepper and salt), lemon dill aioli or honey mustard. Add pickles, coleslaw or lettuce if you want to cool it down a notch.

There are three locations to feast on these sandwich baddies: Inside Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave.; on Route 66 at 3136 E. 11th St.; and inside BOK Tower’s Center Court food hall on the Plaza Level, 101 E. Second St. tp

TulsaPeople.com 63

TA B L E TA L K

WHAT’S COOKING?

LET’S GET DIRTY

C

ayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, parsley — put them together with the “holy trinity” (onion, green bell pepper and celery) then add rice, shrimp, grits, crab or chicken and you have the start of Cajun cooking.

Making Cajun food at home is something even beginner cooks can do. Just follow a recipe and learn as you go — you’ll be impressed by just how delicious it can be.

A great, easy-to-make Cajun specialty is dirty rice, which gets its name from the color the rice becomes after cooking. It can easily be doubled to serve a crowd. Make plenty of toasty, buttered French bread to go with it. — NATALIE MIKLES

N’awlins noshes Right in the dreary days of February, we have Mardi Gras. It’s just the pick-meup we need as we trudge through winter into spring.

Fat Tuesday on Feb. 13 is for parties and beads and celebrations before Ash Wednesday. But for most, it’s all about the food. We don’t need much of an excuse to indulge in flavorful Cajun food, but if there’s one on the calendar, we’ll take it.

Tulsans have a lot of delicious options for great Cajun and Louisiana-style food. Restaurants owned by those with Louisianan roots and those who made their homes in Tulsa after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina have contributed to the city’s authentic Cajun offerings.

The newest on the scene is LeRoux’s Kitchen, located at Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave. Owners Renauld Porter, who hails from New Orleans, and Gabriela Castañeda’s kitchen is a joyful place. Cooks laugh and talk as they cut up the chicken and stir the gumbo. That joy comes through in the food.

If you don’t know where to start when looking at LeRoux’s menu, begin with the gumbo. It takes hours to cook this rich gumbo, with its base of chicken and andouille sausage. You can also add shrimp or crab — and what better time to be extra than for Mardi Gras.

The honey-jalapeno chicken fried chicken tenders is another great choice.

Nothing here is one-note. Each menu item contains layers of flavor.

LeRoux’s is available for catering, including orders for those planning Mardi Gras fetes. — NATALIE MIKLES 64 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add sausage and chicken, sauteing about 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Remove the meat and set aside, but leave grease and oil in pan.

Add onion, celery, bell pepper and salt, cooking for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cooking until fragrant — just a couple of minutes.

Add apple cider vinegar and tomato paste to pan, cooking until liquid has reduced. Add sausage, chicken, rice and cayenne. Stir to combine. Add broth, then bring to a boil. Cover pan and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, then let rice sit, covered, for about 5 minutes.

Fluff the rice. Taste for seasonings, then sprinkle parsley on top. Serve with hot sauce and French bread. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

Seafood gumbo from LeRoux’s Kitchen, a Cajun restaurant owned by Gabriela Castañeda and Renauld Porter, inset, inside Mother Road Market.

DIRTY RICE Serves 4 2 tablespoons butter 1 pound ground pork sausage 1 pound chicken thighs or chicken livers, rinsed and finely chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped bell pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 chopped garlic cloves 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup long-grain rice 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

TA B L E TA L K

TRY THIS!

Darya Gorlova

CAFFEINE FREE

Bacon popcorn from TAVERN BACON POPCORN: MICHELLE POLLARD; QUICK SIP: TOM GILBERT

201 N. Main St. • 918-949-9801 • taverntulsa.com PERFECT BITE Is there anything better than sweet and salty? Maple caramel sauce lightly coats popcorn and a smattering of crispy bacon pieces.

The portion is a size perfect for sharing between you and your tablemates.

SNAPS FOR APPS This is one of nine bar snacks and appetizers that make up Tavern’s lunch and dinner menus. Our favorites include Tater Tot Poutine (filling enough to eat as your entree) and the Deviled Egg Trifecta.

HUMP DAY A favorite way to celebrate Wednesdays is Tavern’s “Winesdays” where bottles of wine are half-price. tp

Do you love coffee but not its side effects? That was Darya Gorlova’s problem, and she decided to do something about it. She created Cauxffee, a functional herb coffee substitute.

Cauxffee doesn’t have caffeine, but Gorlova uses ingredients that have the smell, stimulus and taste that you get with regular coffee.

“I’ve tried so many different coffee substitutes and I’ve been really disappointed with all of them,” Gorlova says. “I started tinkering and mixing different ingredients and learning things from different places over the years. I finally found a concoction that really works because it has the smell, the flavor and the experience of coffee, but it also provides this stimulant effect and this comforting feeling.”

Cauxffee is only one of the products that Gorlova created for her business, Dashatron Enterprises. The company offers Oracle Kraut, Manifest Mineral Tea, Vision Quest Smoke Blend and a new product, Synaptic Electrolyte Powder.

Oracle Kraut is based on a traditional Russian sauerkraut recipe, taught to Gorlova, who is originally from Russia, by her elders.

Russian sauerkraut is different than the German-style sauerkraut that most people are used to. Russian sauerkraut is lacto-fermented, meaning it’s just cabbage and salt mashed together with carrots and caraway seeds, Gorlova says.

“It’s a lot brighter, crisper and refreshing,” she says. “It is full of probiotics. It’s really good for your gut. That’s why we decided to call it Oracle Kraut. The tagline is: better gut, better gut instincts.”

Her products are available at Prism Cafe, 217 W. Latimer St., and online at dashatron.com. She also plans on selling them at a farmers’ market this spring. — TOM GILBERT

TulsaPeople.com 65

TA B L E TA L K

A LA CARTE

MEXICAN Tulsans know where to go for the best tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and margaritas.

These are the winners of TulsaPeople’s annual A-LIST Readers’ Choice Awards.

LOS CABOS MEXICAN GRILL AND CANTINA 300 Riverwalk Terrace, Suite 100, Jenks; 918-298-2226 151 Bass Pro Drive, Broken Arrow; 918-355-8877 9455 N. Owasso Expressway, Owasso; 918-609-8671 • loscabosok.com

Doña Gloria’s

Feel the burn 3 favorite places to get your spicy salsa fix.

BY NATALIE MIKLES If you want to turn up the heat on already great Mexican food, it’s with DOÑA GLORIA’S salsa. There’s a regular salsa that’s good, but the spicy salsa is where it’s at. Authentic Mexican food, homemade tortillas and fresh salsa — Mexican food lovers can’t ask for more. The spicy salsa has bits of cilantro and onion and is good on everything from the tortas to the tacos. 11419 E. 21st St. • Food truck on the 116th block of East 21st Street • 918-779-4244

3 TEQUILAS 3308 S. Peoria Ave., 918-728-6004 25695 E. 71st St., Broken Arrow; 918-286-6766 • 3tequilas.com EL RIO VERDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT 36 N. Trenton Ave. • 918-592-2555 facebook.com/elrioverdetulsa LA TERTULIA 311 E. Second St. • 539-525-0853 latertuliarestaurant.com EL RANCHO GRANDE MEXICAN FOOD 1629 E. 11th St. • 918-584-0816 elranchograndemexicanfood.com La Tertulia

As soon as you’re seated at CHIMI’S, warm chips and two types of salsa arrive at the table. One is a nice, mild salsa, closer to a chunky pico de gallo. The other is a spicy tomato-based salsa, smooth and blended with a garlic- and peppery-bite. Those in the know ask for a third salsa — Dad’s salsa. Dad’s isn’t for the weak; this flaming hot salsa is super spicy but also has great flavor from several types of hot peppers. 1304 E. 15th St., 918-587-4411 • 5320 S. Harvard Ave., 918-749-7755 • 6709 E. 81st St., 918-960-2723 • chimismexican.com tp 66 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

MICHELLE POLLARD

Don’t expect a tomato-based salsa at LA TERTULIA. Its New Mexican-style salsa is pepper-based with a smoky heat. Drizzle it on the amazing posole or roasted pork shoulder for phenomenal flavor. Salsa is served complimentary with thick, toasty tortilla chips. Want to turn up the heat? Order a hatch chile martini or the spicy margarita featuring a pequin pepper-infused simple syrup. 311 E. Second St. • 539-525-0853 • latertuliarestaurant.com

DINE LOCAL A guide to Tulsa favorites Main & Archer • 918-576-6800 sisserousrestaurant.com

SPECIALTY COFFEE & BAKERY

Bakery • Coffee Shop Gluten-Free Menu

Local Farm Breakfast, Delicious Desserts, Specialty Coffees, Local Roaster, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan Options

Open late!

1502 E. 15th St. | (918) 779-6137 | thecoffeehouseoncherrystreet.com

JIMMYSCHOPHOUSE.COM 3348 S PEORIA AVE

WILDFORK.COM 1820 UTICA SQUARE

TAVERNTULSA.COM 201 N MAIN ST TulsaPeople.com 67

Lifestyle HOME

HEALTH

TRENDS

XOXO

W

hether you’re showing your sweetie some love or treating yourself, Valentine’s Day provides a time to splurge on gifts designed to entice the senses. Jenkins and Co. is just the place to find these treats.

Scarlette Ateliers pajama set, $170; Boy Smells redhead candle, $38; Superior Soap, $13; Royalties socks, $30; Fiele Fragrances eau de parfum, $165. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

Jenkins and Co., 1335 E. 11th St., Suite E 918-794-7844 jenkinsandcotulsa.com

TulsaPeople.com 69

LIFESTYLE

STOREFRONT PARDON MY FRENCH 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 9168 S. Yale Ave., Suite 160 918-728-7250 instagram.com/ pardonmyfrenchtulsa

Kay Worley says she had the store Anthropologie in mind when she began curating merchandise for Pardon My French. “It’s really worked — we always have something for everyone.”

Oui, oui

SHOP FAV O R I T E S

Second career grows into successful south Tulsa boutique.

BY KENDALL BARROW

70 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

D.V. Kap pillows, $158.

Gorjana necklace, $70.

Artist Guild of America large-scale artwork, $490.

MICHELLE POLLARD

R

etail might run in Kay Worley’s genes, but it was not her first career. The businesswoman, whom friends call Libby, practiced medicine before fate led her back to her roots.

Worley’s grandmother owned an antique store, and Worley and her sister both worked in her mother’s furniture store, The Plaza Wickery, in Oklahoma City. “It was always in my blood,” Worley says. Rather than immediately follow in her family’s footsteps, Worley went to medical school after college and practiced neurology in Tulsa for years. She balanced her career with that of her husband’s, also a physician, while raising three children.

In 2009 her mother died. Within eight months her father was diagnosed with cancer and in 2013, Worley herself was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. “I told my husband, ‘I want to do what I want to do from this point on,’” Worley says.

While still practicing medicine part time, Worley dipped her toe into retail with a booth at The Market at Walnut Creek. “I was selling mostly country French furniture and decor because that’s what was popular at the time,” she says. Hence her current store’s name, Pardon My French.

In 2016 she opened the brick-and-mortar storefront. Her daughters — teenagers at the time — urged her to include clothing, which she says turned out to be a good decision. Today, the store carries a mix of clothing, gifts, decor and personal items.

After a year and a half of doing double duty with a medical career and retail store, she found it to be too much and made the difficult decision to say goodbye to neurology. “It’s still a little hard,” she admits.

Aside from her supportive staff, Worley says her favorite part of the business is traveling to the different markets, including Coterie in New York City, and shopping for all the new trends.

“It’s like you’re the first person to know a secret,” she says. “It really is addictive.” tp

6 N. LEWIS | 918.584.2217 | ZIEGLERART.COM CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING • FINE ART HOME ACCESSORIES • ART SUPPLIES

TOYS • TREATS • GEAR • PREMIUM FOODS

TulsaPeople.com 71

S P E C I A LT Y C L I N I C S

HEALTH

Head of the class TU clinic focuses on concussion education, treatment and rehabilitation.

BY LAURA DENNIS

I

n March 2023, University of Tulsa professors Laura Wilson, Ph.D., and Rachel Hildebrand, Ph.D., launched the Concussion Center, the fi rst of its kind in Oklahoma, at TU’s College of Health and Natural Sciences. Wilson, a speech pathologist, and Hildebrand, an athletic-training educator, met in 2015 during their fi rst year of teaching at TU and promptly learned they shared many interests, including the study of traumatic brain injury.

Located in TU’s Mary K. Chapman Clinic for Communicative Disorders, the Concussion Center is unique in that it offers an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, meaning the patient meets with the entire team of service providers at once to provide a more thorough treatment 72 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

plan. Services offered include concussion education and rehabilitation, return-tolearn planning, return-to-physical-activity planning, cognitive rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation and concussion-related mental health management. All of this is free of charge to adults living in the greater Tulsa area.

Initial consults are focused on making sure the patient feels heard. “We don’t do any treatment that fi rst meeting,” Wilson says. “We ask a lot of questions, and get a lot of information so that as a team with the patient, we can make a cohesive plan.”

Patient Jeremy Vaughn, who suffered a concussion as the result of an automobile accident in early 2023, says he cannot speak highly enough of the staff at the Concussion Center. “Not only is it clear that they

From 1-4 p.m. on April 20, the Concussion Center will co-host the Youth Sports Safety Festival at McCullough Park, 11534 E. 25th St. There will be helmet giveaways and fittings along with concussion prevention and education information free of charge.

The event is in conjunction with other community partners, including Tulsa Institute of Trauma, Adversity and Injustice; Safekids Tulsa; Childhood Concussion Coalition; and Brain Recovery Foundation.

For more information, or to book an appointment at TU’s Concussion Center, call 918-631-2504.

MICHELLE POLLARD

Rachel Hildebrand, Ph.D., and Laura Wilson, Ph.D., lead the University of Tulsa’s Concussion Center, the first no-charge interdisciplinary concussion center open to the public in Oklahoma.

know their respective fields,” he says, “but it is also clear that they care about their clients.”

Vaughn discovered the center online in a “last-ditch attempt” to find a provider who could assist him with the brain-specific symptoms of his concussion. He experienced difficulties concentrating, expressing ideas verbally and thinking critically. He also suffered emotional impacts, such as mood swings and feelings of hopelessness.

Vaughn says the intensity of his symptoms has declined over the course of treatment.

“I’ve spent several sessions discussing the emotional impacts from my injury, identifying unhealthy ways of thinking and developing strategies to avoid them,” he says. “The center has been instrumental in improving my daily life. I have been able to maintain my career and home life, two things that were proving very difficult before I began treatment.”

An estimated 300, 000 sports-related traumatic brain injuries occur annually in the United States according to a 2007 study by the Journal of Athletic Training. In fact, for young people ages 15-24 years, sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury, according to JAT. Hildebrand says concussions are more common than we think.

“It’s important to note that concussion can happen not just from a hit to the head but any hit to the body,” she says. “(Impact) that causes the neck to whiplash will move the brain within the skull and also can cause a concussion.”

The Concussion Center aligns with TU’s overall health education and health services mission to serve the community meeting unmet needs while simultaneously teaching its interdisciplinary approach to students.

“Education and prevention in the community, outreach to the underserved communities in the greater Tulsa area, and some research initiatives are some ways in which we hope to grow,” Wilson says. tp

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We are excited to welcome Dr. Lise D. Brown to our talented team!

S P E C I A LT Y C L I N I C S

HEALTH

Sweet 16 The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis celebrates 16 years of caring for Tulsa’s children.

BY GRACE WOOD

T

74 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Above, Ella Gruenberg spent time in the Saint Francis Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit when she was born 16 weeks early. Below left, Dr. Travis Campbell is the medical director of the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, which celebrates its 16th anniversary this month. Below right, Kindra Thomas, who has worked at Saint Francis since 1986, is the NICU clinical manager.

requires the use of sedatives for young patients. Because of the success of the Child Life Program and specially trained Child Life Specialists, however, most child patients at the hospital now receive MRIs completely unsedated, according to Saint Francis communications and marketing specialist Lynn Casey.

Other important milestones include the opening in 2016 of the St. Jude Affi liate Clinic at the Children’s Hospital, one of only eight affi liate clinics of its kind nationwide. Additionally, the neonatal intensive care unit at the Children’s Hospital is designated as a Level IV NICU by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Th is is the highest rating available to NICUs, and the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is one of only two hospitals in Oklahoma to receive it. Notably, the hospital also houses the only pediatric intensive care unit in the local area.

“I think part of healing and wellness for people is having a support system, so when you have to go away from your community, it impacts the length of time people take to get well, and how you respond to treatments,” says Kindra Thomas, NICU clin-

ical manager. “Kids are no different from adults, so having something (a hospital) right here with your local support system for them is important.”

Seven-and-a-half years ago, Amanda Gruenberg experienced the support system offered by the Children’s Hospital’s NICU fi rsthand when her child, Ella, was unexpectedly born 16 weeks early.

Th roughout her and Ella’s stay in the NICU, Gruenberg says the support and care they received was unmatched: doctors, nurses and staff went above and beyond and made Ella’s treatment an open, honest conversation with Gruenberg, where she constantly felt included and important to her daughter’s care.

“The level of care and concern that happens inside those walls — from doctors to nurses, to respiratory therapists, to social workers — it’s truly a team effort,” Gruenberg says. “And it requires every single one of those people to give a little extra sometimes that they might not always have, but they sit there and they smile, and they do it. And they become your rock when your world is falling apart.” tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

his month, Saint Francis Hospital commemorates a special milestone: the 16th anniversary of its Children’s Hospital, marking over a decade and a half of dedicated care and compassion for sick and injured children in Tulsa and beyond.

Th is anniversary signifies the hospital’s ongoing commitment to helping the youngest members of our community, while also serving as a reminder of the millions of patients whose lives have been touched by the hospital and its staff over the past 16 years.

“Every time we discharge a kid who is better than when they were admitted — that’s a success,” says Dr. Travis Campbell, medical director of the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.

The Children’s Hospital opened as a response to a need within the community for a dedicated care center for kids in northeastern Oklahoma, Campbell says. Th rough the collaborative efforts of physicians, hospital leaders and the Warren family, the Saint Francis Children’s Hospital opened its doors in 2008.

Part of the mission of the Children’s Hospital is to provide patients and families with the highest level of care while prioritizing treatment that recognizes young patients as the children they are. A way the hospital fulfi lls this need is through the Child Life Program, designed to support kids at the children’s hospital through difficult things like lab work, IV draws and scans.

“Developing the Child Life Program has been a key milestone for the Children’s Hospital to support the emotional and physical needs of the patient, not just with a diagnosis and treatment plan, but an emotional support plan,” Campbell says.

The process of getting an MRI can be complicated and nerve-wracking and often

S P E C I A LT Y C L I N I C S

HEALTH

TULSA CLINIC WORKS TO PREVENT, TREAT AND FIND A CURE FOR DIABETES

“W

ith over 450,000 Oklahomans (living) with diabetes, and another 25% suspected with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the state ranks in the bottom five for diabetes and diabetes care,” says Jed Friedman, Ph.D., director of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center; vice-provost for diabetes programs; and professor of physiology, biochemistry and pediatrics-endocrinology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. “The costs of medications, particularly for those without insurance, continues to be a concern here in Oklahoma.”

Additionally, Native Americans have over twice the risk of developing diabetes and are twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to die from diabetes or its complications, including cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and cancer.

One-third of Oklahomans are pre-diabetic, Friedman adds.

Fortunately, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center experts include cross disciplinary scientists and researchers who are researching the causes and complications of diabetes (Type 1 and 2), as well as other endocrine-associated disorders.

The clinic, with locations at OU-Tulsa and OU Health Sciences Center, is making strides to offer comprehensive and continuous care to Oklahomans.

Because both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes involve problems with insulin production or response, they are inextricably linked to the endocrine system.

“Endocrinology involves the examination of disorders related to hormones and metabolism. It encompasses a range of conditions, including bone metabolism, thyroid issues, pregnancy-related disorders and liver conditions that impact blood glucose levels,” Friedman explains.

“Consequently, numerous endocrine system disorders and their associated feedback can be linked back to IN OKLAHOMA, the primary issue of elevated blood 11.4 % OF ADULTS glucose or diabetes.”

The Harold Hamm Diabetes OVER AGE 18 HAVE Center and Endocrinology Clinic was established in 2007 by an act of BEEN DIAGNOSED the Oklahoma Legislature and has WITH DIABETES. grown to over 130 members, both researchers, clinicians and clinician — OU Health scientists in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Their comprehensive care ranges from risk assessment and cooking classes to biomedical research, ultimately working toward a cure. It is one of the largest and top-funded diabetes research programs in the world — with federal funding and philanthropy exceeding $100 million over the past decade.

— ANNA HOLTON-DEAN

TulsaPeople.com 75

LIFESTYLE

BEYOND CITY LIMITS

LOVE Sculpture in Norman, Blue Whale in Catoosa, Marland Mansion in Ponca City

LOVE IS EVERYWHERE 4 Oklahoma destinations to celebrate love.

A

uthor Zora Neale Hurston wrote, “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”

In February, you may be feeling the urge to come out from your wintertime slumber, too. Love is not far away; there are some fun destinations you can explore with someone special and create memories that will keep you warm for years to come.

The University of Oklahoma in Norman is the home of a 6-foot-tall rendition of the famous LOVE sculpture by the late Robert Indiana. Th is pop art creation has appeared on everything from paintings to postage stamps. Its Oklahoma representation stands near Jacobson Hall. While you’re in the area, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast offers a relaxing stay near Lake Thunderbird. If you aren’t staying overnight, its restaurant is open to all and will provide a dining experience to remember.

76 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Downtown Edmond is known for its bounty of sculptures dotting sidewalks throughout its business district. One of the largest is designed with romance in mind: letters spell out LOVE with large, looped openings for couples to attach love locks to. The interactivity is inspired by a bridge in Paris, France, where people attach locks representing the strength of their love. It creates a personal landmark that can be visited again and again. Nearby, the Signature Grill is a locally owned gem serving excellent cuisine in an intimate atmosphere.

Save room for dessert!

For something of a different experience, head to Ponca City and take a guided tour of the Marland Mansion, built in 1928.

Th is palatial prairie home tells the story of E.W. Marland and his rise, fall and rise again in the oil industry. Furthermore, it tells the somewhat complicated story of his family, including his second wife Lydie

Marland. You’ll want to talk about it over a nice meal, so make time for the Rusty Barrell Supper Club. Th is unassuming dining spot with a “secret” alleyway entrance has been serving Oklahomans since 1976 and the quality is hard to beat.

Lastly, if you don’t have a lot of time for travel, just take the short drive out to Catoosa and the famous Blue Whale. It may seem like an odd spot for a photo op on Valentine’s Day, but the Whale was built for love. In the early 1970s, Hugh Davis built the large concrete creature for his wife, Zelta, as an anniversary present. She had an affinity for whale figurines and this was the best way the nature-loving Hugh could show his affection. It’s quirky, sure, but love takes many forms. On your way back into town, McGill’s inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is a reliable restaurant to enjoy a good meal, good wine, good view and a good time. tp

LOVE: COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA; BLUE WHALE, MARLAND: RHYS MARTIN

BY RHYS MARTIN

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LIFESTYLE

MUSINGS

Today’s forecast: Plenty of sunshine

W

ell that was certainly a holiday season I don’t want to repeat.

I spent it playing dual roles of Florence Nightingale (nursemaid to my dog) and Gloria Vanderbilt (spending wildly, not on finery but on repairs to said dog and to my mature Volvo).

One happy morning last fall my dogs Bucky and Zeke bounded out the back door after a squirrel and Zeke came back in limping. A ligament was torn in his right hind knee.

Very soon I was limping myself, emotionally. First at the price of the surgery and then at the required 10 weeks of recovery.

Ten weeks! On day two, I thought it was impossible. On day three, I was sure it was impossible.

House, routine, schedule — everything had to be reconfigured. The hardwood floors were covered with yoga mats so Zeke wouldn’t slip. I was the one who tripped on them.

Things got worse. Zeke got a urinary tract infection and then was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. Symptoms included urgent and frequent urination.

Dorothy Parker’s definition of eternity was two people and a ham. My definition of high alert is a small house and a large dog with urinary issues who cannot go outside except on a leash. Just as Zeke was almost well — and what are the odds of this? —

78 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

Bucky chased after a squirrel and also tore a ligament. Another surgery. Another 10 weeks of recuperation. I’m sure it was the same damn squirrel.

It was not the first time in my life I asked myself the towering question, “How did I get into this mess?”

Here’s how.

One day Jay didn’t answer his phone. All day he didn’t answer. That was not a good sign. That evening I called EMSA and met them at Jay’s house. I could hear Zeke, his dog, barking when I arrived. That was a very bad sign. How long has he been barking, I wondered. Hours? All night? All day? The two medics and I broke in the back door.

“Heart,” one of the medics said when he came out of the bedroom.

Zeke was still barking and running back and forth to the bedroom. So I put him in my car to calm us both.

Two police officers had arrived.

“Do you know this dog?” the policewoman asked.

Oh, yes. I had suggested the name Zeke for the springer spaniel puppy I drove with Jay to get in Tennessee. The puppy rode on my lap all the way home.

“Can you take this dog?” the policewoman asked.

“Yes.” “Thank God. The stories I could tell you.”

I don’t doubt it. With my limited work in

cat rescue, the stories I could tell, too.

So Zeke came to live with me, against the advice of people who said, “You can’t take him. You already have one big rescue dog and cats. Your house is too small. I’m sure you can find a home for him.”

All of that was true. Except the part about finding another home for him. It’s hard to find good homes for any adult dog or cat.

That was eight years ago when Zeke was 2. He has rarely left my side since. Bucky, also a rescue dog, is glued to my other side.

All through the dogs’ combined 20 weeks of recovery, people commiserated and told me their own stories of pet accidents and illnesses, jaw-dropping veterinarian bills, arduous home nursing. One man wrestled his 99-pound German shepherd daily for 18 weeks applying cream to an ulcerated eye.

He was happy to do it. We love our pets.

Many people who live on the street won’t go into a shelter because they can’t take their pet with them and won’t leave them behind.

I understand.

Now it’s February. The month of true love.

The title of one of my books of essays is “Light and Variable.” It’s a reference both to the themes of my essays and to Oklahoma weather. If I do another collection of essays I’ll title it “Today’s Forecast: Plenty of Sunshine.” I like that title and philosophy. tp

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Enjoy the Luxury Lifestyle you desire TulsaPeople.com 79

LAST LOOK

TULSA TIME WARP

Construction began in 1922 on the Beacon Life Building at 406 S. Boulder Ave., which was later bought by Waite Phillips in 1939. The building’s iconic lighthouse remained atop the building from 1930-1976, seen here as it was in the 1950s.

Beacon of history

I

n 1922, a real estate investment group led by oilman and entrepreneur James M. Gillette financed the construction of an eight-story structure originally called the Commercial Building.

It opened a year later as the headquarters of Security National Bank and was home to a variety of businesses that occupied the 140 offices on the upper floors. By 1927, the building was expanded to include more offices and increase space for banking operations.

80 TulsaPeople FEBRUARY 2024

In 1929 the building was officially renamed the Beacon Life Building, in honor of Beacon Life Insurance Co. that came to occupy the building. The company built a 65-foot lighthouse beacon and attached it to the roof of the building.

The beacon had two bright lights. The light at the top of the lighthouse rotated while the other was stationary and aimed toward the airport. The lights were visible up to 20 miles.

The Civil Aeronautics Authority

declared the stationary light hazardous in 1934 and asked that it be turned off. By 1952, the electrical circuit for the remaining light was converted to power the building’s air-conditioning.

Despite the lack of illumination, the lighthouse remained an iconic part of Tulsa’s skyline for another 24 years until it was removed in October 1976.

Today, the Beacon Building retains the historic name and has been renovated for tenants. tp

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