Eight exemplary individuals from North Carolina were granted the North Carolina Award, the most prestigious accolade in the state, as reported by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. At a ceremony hosted in Raleigh, Governor Roy Cooper bestowed the awards, recognizing contributions across fine arts, literature, public service, and science, celebrating the award's 60th year.
The recipients of the 2024 North Carolina Award include musicians The Avett Brothers—members Scott Avett, Seth Avett, and Bob Crawford—for their influence in Fine Arts, alongside William Henry Curry for his musical direction; author Frank A. Bruni Jr. for his achievements in Literature; and the acknowledgment of Thomas W. Earnhardt and Christina H. Koch for their science-based work, with Koch renowned for her time in space and Earnhardt for his environmental advocacy, Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr. was also honored, commended for his dedication to public service.
Originating in 1961 with the first presentation in 1964, the North Carolina Award has now recognized over 300 distinguished men and women, supporting their ongoing work and contributions, the program's backing includes numerous local sponsors ranging from Wells Fargo to Lenovo, and the CBC/WRAL Community Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation to NC Opera, supporting the mission of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as the awards are administered by the said department.
For those interested in the breadth of North Carolina's heritage efforts, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources manages an extensive array of sites and programs throughout the state, this includes historic locations, museums, science centers, and natural areas, all oriented toward preserving and promoting the state's cultural and natural gifts; further information about their endeavors and managed entities can be found on their official website.
