Giannini Society Award Recipients
Established in 1989, the Giannini Society pays tribute to the School’s first President, Vittorio Giannini, and his dream of a world-class arts conservatory. The Society recognizes individuals making annual gifts of $1,000 or more for current operations of the School. The Award is given annually in recognition of meritorious service to the School of the Arts and is one of the School’s most prestigious honors.
The first medallion, designed by Winston-Salem designer/goldsmith Shirley Taylor Gobble, was made of sterling silver and onyx and contained two sapphires. It represents all disciplines at the School: a conductor’s hands (with baton), for music; a ballerina, for dance; a jester, for drama; and a proscenium arch with swag, for design and production. The medallion could either be displayed as a sculpture or worn with its accompanying navy satin ribbon.
| Date | Recipient |
| 1990 (9 Nov.) | Dr. and Mrs. James Semans (Mary Duke Biddle Trent) presented by Dr. Robert Ward at Forsyth Country Club. Reception preceding, home: M/M Eldridge Hanes |
| 1991 (28 Sept.) | Wallace Carroll (in absentia) presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing on campus |
| 1992 (3 Oct.) | John Ehle presented by Joel Fleishman at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 1993 (9 Oct.) | Terry Sanford presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 1994 (24 Sept.) | R. Philip Hanes Jr. presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Adams Mark Winston Plaza Hotel Ballroom during Giannini Gala |
| 1995 (7 Oct.) | Frank H. Kenan presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala; accepted by son, Thomas S. Kenan III. Glass Sculpture by artist Jak Brewer of Zionsville. |
| 1996 (5 Oct.) | Mrs. Dan K. Moore (Jeanelle Coulter) presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala. Medallion designed by DeLouis Wilson, 1978 graduate of Visual Arts NCSA. |
| 1997 (4 Oct.) | Dr. Robert Ward presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Crawford Hall special Birthday Celebration Concert (Oct. 18). Award announced at Southern C’s Farm, Summerfield NC |
| 1998 (3 Oct.) | Mrs. James Ficklen (June Montague) presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 1999 | No Giannini Society Gala in Fall, 1999 |
| 2000 (11 March) | Alex and Sheila Ewing presented by Giannini Society Co-Chairs Barry and Lynn Eisenberg at Maxims Grand Salon Restaurant during NYC Giannini Society |
| 2001 | No Award |
| 2002 (1 March) | Janie and Jackson D Wilson Jr presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at Shelly's Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 2003 (7 March) | Lynn and Barry Eisenberg presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at La Caravelle Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 2004 (6 March) | Edwin W Schloss, Drama Class of 1972 presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at Maloney and Porcelli Restaurant during NYC during Giannini Weekend |
| 2005 (5 March) | Thomas S Kenan III presented at Wintergarden Foyer, Rihga Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 2006 (4 March) | Helen Copenhaver Hanes and the Late James Gordon Hanes Jr. presented by Interim Chancellor Gretchen Bataille at Warwick Suite, Warwick New York Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 2007 (3 March) | Judy and Bill Watson presented by Chancellor Mauceri at Warwick New York Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 2008 (31 May) | Patricia Athey Brown and Dr. Malcolm McDougal Brown presented by Chancellor Mauceri at Stevens during 42nd Center College Commencement |
| 2009 (30 May) | Claire Penn Christopher and F. Hudnall Christopher presented by Chancellor Mauceri in Winston Salem at Stevens Center during 43rd College Commencement (announced at Giannini Spring weekend) |
| 2010 (29 May) | Mary Louise (Bizzell) and John Woodfin Burress III presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 44th College Commencement |
| 2011 (28 May) | Phyllis Hemrick Dunning presented by Chancellor Mauieri in Winston Salem at the Stevens Center during 45th College Commencement |
| 2012 (6 May) | Susan S. and John D. Gates presented by Chancellor Mauceri in Winston Salem at the Stevens Center during 46th College Commencement |
| 2013 (4 May) | Nancy and Paul Gwyn presented by Chancellor John Mauceri in Winston Salem at the Stevens Center during 47th College Commencement |
| 2014 (10 May) | Elaine Doerschuk Pruitt presented by Interim Chancellor James Moeser at the Stevens Center during 48th College Commencement |
| 2015 (9 May) | Jim and Mary Ellen Martin presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at the Stevens Center during 49th College Commencement |
| 2016 (7 May) | Doug and Sue Henderson presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at the Stevens Center during 50th College Commencement |
| 2017 (6 May) | Charles and Lamar Taft presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at the Stevens Center during 51st College Commencement |