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EVENING HONORS LEE ALLAN

Lee Allan Smith. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Lee Allan Smith was the honoree Jan. 30 at a dinner in the Centennial Building at the Oklahoma State Fair. Local and state leaders, family members and friends attended the unveiling of two statues which will be at the State Fair Park, near the Centennial Waterfall, and at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Smith’s friend Ed deCordova thought up the honor and worked with the Oklahoma Centennial Commission to launch the project and collect donations. The project started with just one statue, but due to the response from those close to Smith, the two statues are set for installing in two of his favorite locations.

Giving tributes to Lee Allan Smith for lifetime service to the state were Barry Switzer, master of ceremonies; Ed deCordova, Tom McDaniel, Clay Bennett, Dr. Mike Anderson.

Tom McDaniel announced the creation of the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s “Lee Allan Smith Oklahoma Legacy Award” which will honor an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Oklahoma’s people and promotes the community.”

Larry “T-Byrd” Gordon and The Music People Luv Band played and the first song of the evening was the Centennial song, “Oklahoma Rising.”

The Centennial Building was transformed into a dance floor, dining and social area and a stage. Off white carpeting was put on the floor and the social area featured leather sofas and chairs. Chandeliers were hung throughout the room.

Among those attending were DeAnn Smith, DeLee and Wendy Smith, Jennifer and Fritz Kiersch, Candy and Tom Dulaney, Nancy and Ed deCordova, Louise and Clay Bennett, Danna and Kirk Humphreys, Jose Freede, Susan and David Amis, Marilyn and Bud Meade, Shirley and Pete Everest, Susan and Carl Edwards, Sharon and John Bozalis, Lyn and Ted Elam, Judy Jordan, Ruth and Dick Lampton, Lou Kerr, Nancy and Bob Ellis, Cathy and Jim Kirk, Lana and Dave Lopez, Jane Thompson, Nadine and Frank McPherson, Marilyn and Jim Law, Wanda and Bill Swisher, Karen and Earl Ingram, Betty and Herschal Crow, Eb Hines, Eunice and Joe Ellis,  Janet and John Edwards, Pam and Bill Shdeed and Carole Drake.

John Bozalis, Lee Allan Smith and Frank McPherson.

Ed deCordova and Jennifer Kiersch.

The Centennial Building at State Fair Park.

DeAnn Smith, Jennifer Kiersch, Shawn Smith.

Jane Thompson, Nadine McPherson, Lolly Anderson and Jayne Jayroe Gamble.

Lamps like this one with floating orchids were set around the room.

Parties Extra!Podcast—Helen Ford Wallace interviews Beaux Arts Ball Chairman, Libby Denner; Co-Chairman and next year’s chairman Connell Branan, and last year’s chairman Elain Frogge, CLICK HERE to listen

THE GAYLORD PRIZE

Jim Lehrer spoke during an interview before his acceptance of the Gaylord Prize for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication. The Prize was awarded by the University of Oklahoma at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008. (By Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman)

450 people including  University of Oklahoma students, journalism faculty members and local media professionals and guests were at the Inaugural Gaylord Prize Luncheon honoring Jim Lehrer, Executive Editor and Anchor of the “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.”

Lehrer is also a novelist and playwright, setting one of his books with locations at the Oklahoma State Capitol and the Skirvin Hotel.

He has been moderator for the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates for the past six elections.

Both a morning reception and the luncheon  were at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. In Lehrer’s remarks he noted that “journalism is still about the story.”

“In the beginning, there is always a news story,” he added. He discussed the fact that it takes the news reporter to bring news to the attention of the blogger, the talk show host, the video people and the comedians.

“The spirit of journalism lives deep in you people,” he told the crowd. “I am proud to be a Gaylord Prize winner.”

Luncheon hosts were  University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren, OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication Dean Joe Foote and the GCJMC Board of Visitors.  Board of Visitors chairman Pattye Moore welcomed the guests.

The $25,000. prize was established by the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.  Funding was from the Edward L. Gaylord family.

The Gaylord Prize is a new tradition which will be awarded annually to a nationally recognized journalism and mass communication professional.

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At  the event were Christy and Jim Everest, Louise and Clay Bennett, Tricia Everest, Mary FitzSimons, Christy Bennett and  Mollie Bennett.

Others  attending were Molly Shi Boren, Carole and Ed Kelley, David Thompson, Joanne Orr, Lil and Bill Ross,Howard Price, Steve Trolinger,  Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Paul Massad, David Dary, Marti and Joe Ferretti, Jose Freede, Bob Ross, Renzi Stone, Clark and Kay Musser and Rob Boswell, Leslie Cermak, Catherine Bishop, Joe Hight, Sue Hale,  Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Carol Troy, Jason Balis, Coutney Corelle, Alyssa Combs, Adam Croom and Joanne Orr.

Molly Shi Boren and Dean Joe Foote were at the luncheon honoring Jim Lehrer. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace)

Pattye Moore, OU President David L. Boren and Jody Foote have lunch before the presentation of the Gaylord Prize . (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Bob Ross, Jose Freede and David Thompson attend a reception for the presentation to Jim Lehrer of the Gaylord Prize for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication by the University of Oklahoma. ( By Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman).

Christy Bennett, Mollie Bennett and Mary FitzSimons were at the luncheon given by OU President David L. Boren, Dean Joe S. Foote and the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication Board of Visitors. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Joe Hight, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Tripp Hall were among the 450 people at the inaugural Gaylord Prize luncheon. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Joanne Orr, Lil and Bill Ross, attend a reception before the presentation to Jim Lehrer of the Gaylord Prize at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. (By Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman).

Louise and Clay Bennett were among the people at the OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication luncheon at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Jim and Christy Everest were at the luncheon where Jim Lehrer was named the first recipient of the Gaylord Prize. The $25,000. prize was established by OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and funded by an endowment from the Edward L. Gaylord family. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).