Eight accomplished Oklahomans, including business leaders, a civil rights activist and a country music artist, were inducted Thursday night into the 80th Annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame. The black-tie banquet sponsored by the Oklahoma Heritage Association drew more than 1,500 people to the Cox Convention Center. Including NBA Commissioner David Stern Thursday November 8, 2007

Inductees were:

"Each of us individuals are the sum total of our life's experiences,” Kyle said. "I'm here tonight not because of what I've accomplished, but I am here tonight because so many people have believed in me, challenged me and encouraged me. … I am honored to be a member of this hall of fame class.”

•Hoffman native Clara Luper, now of Oklahoma City. Luper coordinated one of the nation's first publicized sit-ins when she led the historic event at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter in Oklahoma City.

Luper, who spent 41 years as an award-winning educator, received her bachelor's degree from Langston University and her Master's degree from the University of Oklahoma. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Afro-American Hall of Fame.

Luper is a mother of three and grandmother of four. Escorted to the stage by her oldest daughter,

Marilyn Luper Hildreth, Luper remained silent during several rounds of applause.

"I just want to say to you thank you for awarding my mother this medal,” Hildreth said on Luper's behalf. "She has taught us to dream dreams, and she has taught us to go places she has never been. … My mother has fought against injustice all over this country, and she has given many young people an opportunity to go places and dream the dreams of her dreams.”

•Aubrey K. McClendon, of Oklahoma City. McClendon is board chairman, chief executive officer and a director of Chesapeake Energy Corp. He graduated from Duke University in 1981, following his education at Oklahoma City's Belle Isle Elementary and Heritage Hall Middle and Upper School.

In 1983, he formed a partnership with Tom L. Ward that led to the 1989 incorporation of Chesapeake. Today, the company is the third-largest independent producer of natural gas in the nation and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. He and his wife, Kathleen, have three children.

"As I look around today… I see a present day Oklahoma moving forward with accelerating momentum, and I am proud to be a part of the progress,” McClendon said. "You can count on me to help make those dreams come true for Oklahoma as Oklahoma, in return, has helped those dreams come true for me.”

•Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle, of Durant. Pyle became chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in 1997, after serving more than 13 years as assistant chief. He has been active in Choctaw government since 1975, and during his tenure, he initiated the Choctaw language program, including Internet interactive classes and accredited classes in public schools.

In addition, independent living communities for senior citizens have been built in six towns, four child development centers have opened and five community centers have been built. Pyle and his wife, Patti, have two children and six grandchildren

"This honor tonight is beyond anything I have ever dreamed,” Pyle said. "The friends I've made tonight greatly humble me. Thank you for this great privilege of being inducted into this great Oklahoma Hall of Fame.”