Gov. Josh Stein announced the six winners of the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor. The awards will be presented at the Omni Grove Park Inn on Thursday, Nov. 13 — the first time the ceremony will be held outside of Raleigh. To support our region’s recovery from Helene, ticket sales from the event will be donated to the NC Community Foundation.
This year, all recipients “hail from or have made a particular impact in” WNC. So let’s learn a bit about their contributions:
Woody Platt
Recognized for his contributions in Fine Arts, Platt is a member of the WNC-based, Grammy award-winning bluegrass band, Steep Canyon Rangers. As a fly fisherman and environmentalist, he also worked with nonprofit Conserving Carolina to restore a section of the East Fork of the French Broad River.
Buddy Melton
Another bluegrass musician recognized for Fine Arts, Melton is a fiddler, singer, and founding member of Balsam Range, hailing from Haywood County. Beyond performing on some of the country’s biggest stages (including the Grand Ole Opry), he has produced multiple records exploring the musical history of the mountains.
Wiley Cash
The New York Times bestselling author has penned four novels, in addition to many short stories and essays in publications including The Oxford American and Our State Magazine. Cash also teaches fiction writing at UNC Asheville, as well as hosts Our State’s Book Club podcast, where he highlights NC authors each month. His award is for service in Literature.
James Ferguson
The Asheville native is posthumously recognized in the field of Public Service for his work as a pioneering civil rights attorney. Ferguson was influential in the landmark 1970 Supreme Court case, Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, which helped desegregate schools. Ferguson also co-founded the state’s first interracial law firm and defended the Wilmington 10, gaining pardons of innocence for them. He died in Charlotte on July 21, at age 82.
Roy Williams
You probably know Coach Williams from leading the Tar Heels to three NCAA Championships, but did you know he’s also an Asheville native? He lettered in both basketball and baseball at T.C. Roberson High School and later went on to coach the Owen High School team for five seasons before joining the coaching staff at UNC Chapel Hill in 1977 under Dean Smith. Williams earned the award in Public Service.
Dr. Kathie Dello
As the state climatologist, director of the North Carolina State Climate Office, and co-director of the NOAA Carolinas Climate Adaptation Partnership, Dello’s work in climate resilience planning and impact assessment has undoubtedly impacted the region.
If you want to see the honors awarded in person, get tickets for the Thursday, Nov. 13 ceremony.
