RALEIGH – Six North Carolinians will receive the North Carolina Award, the highest civilian honor the state bestows, on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. Governor Bev Perdue and N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle will make the presentations in a ceremony at the N. C. Museum of History.
“Over the years, we have honored artists, poets, writers, performers, journalists, scientists and public servants, many who are recognized on the national and international scene, and all who make our lives better,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “We are proud to add six more outstanding North Carolinians to this distinguished list.”
Created by the General Assembly in 1961, the North Carolina Awards have been presented annually since 1964. The award recognizes significant contributions to the state and nation in the fields of fine arts, literature, public service, and science. An awards committee chaired by Jack Cozart selected recipients from nominations submitted by the public. Other committee members are Hal Crowther, Selma Fox, Jean McLaughlin, and Charles Sanders.
LITERATURE: Gerald Barrax, of Raleigh, is sometimes called a “poet’s poet,” and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. He is a reserved observer who writes from life experiences in questioning and thoughtful ways on topics of love, family, nature, religion, and other substantive matters.
SCIENCE: Joseph DeSimone, of Chapel Hill, one of the nation’s premier scientists, is on the cutting edge of research with revolutionary results for cancer treatment, green chemistry and photovoltaics. His breakthroughs and nanotechnology applications in the fields of polymer chemistry, pharmacology, and biomolecular engineering, are life-changing and world-saving inventions.
PUBLIC SERVICE: Betty Ray McCain, of Wilson, long has been a force in the civic and political life of North Carolina. She has made an imprint as a volunteer for causes from health care to politics and in public service as past secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, board member for UNC-Chapel Hill Cancer Center, UNC-TV, and many others. She is the first woman to chair the state Democratic Party.
PUBLIC SERVICE: Hugh L. McColl, Jr., of Charlotte, past CEO of Bank of America, transformed 20th century banking using technology, mergers and acquisitions, and competitive acumen. Under his tenure the bank grew almost fiftyfold. He believes in building strong cities, and also is a benefactor to the arts and education in his community.
FINE ARTS: Mark Peiser, of Penland, is a master of the studio glass movement. His works are in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and other national and international museums. He pushes the boundaries of the medium to produce lyrical, luminous and innovative art.
FINE ARTS: Bo Thorp, of Fayetteville, built Cape Fear Regional Theater into a company to rival any in the country. It is the cultural touchstone of the community. She serves as artistic director, in supporting or starring roles, as producer and fundraiser. For decades she has trained artists and administrators on service and survival.
For additional information on the North Carolina Awards click here or call (919) 807-7389 or (919) 807-7256. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources administers the award program, and is the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture with information at www.ncculture.com.