Established in 1989, the Giannini Society pays tribute to the UNCSA's first President, Vittorio Giannini, and his dream of a world-class arts conservatory. The Giannini Society 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 Society recognizes individuals supporting the operations of the School with annual gifts of $1,000 or more.
The first medallion, designed by Winston-Salem designer/goldsmith Shirley Taylor Gobble, represented each discipline at the School at that time: 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.
Date |
Recipient |
|---|---|
| 9 November 1990 | Dr. James Semans and Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Presented by Dr. Robert Ward |
| 28 September 1991 | Wallace Carroll Presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing |
| 3 October 1992 | John Ehle Presented by Joel Fleishman at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 9 October 1993 | Terry Sanford Presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 24 September 1994 | R. Philip Hanes, Jr. Presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Adams Mark Winston Plaza Hotel Ballroom during Giannini Gala |
| 7 October 1995 | Frank H. Kenan Presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala; accepted by Kenan's son, Thomas S. Kenan III. Glass sculpture created by artist Jak Brewer. |
| 5 October 1996 | Jeanelle Coulter Moore 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. |
| 4 October 1997 | 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. |
| 3 October 1998 | June Montague Ficklen Presented by Chancellor Alex Ewing at Performance Place Proscenium Thrust Theatre during Giannini Gala |
| 11 March 2000 | Alex and Sheila Ewing Presented by Giannini Society Co-Chairs Barry and Lynn Eisenberg at Maxims Grand Salon Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 1 March 2002 | Janie and Jackson D. Wilson, Jr. Presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at Shelly's Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 7 March 2003 | Lynn and Barry Eisenberg Presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at La Caravelle Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 6 March 2004 | Edwin W. Schloss, Drama Class of 1972 Presented by Chancellor Wade Hobgood at Maloney and Porcelli Restaurant during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 5 March 2005 | Thomas S. Kenan III Presented at Wintergarden Foyer, Rihga Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 4 March 2006 | Helen Copenhaver Hanes and James Gordon Hanes, Jr. Presented by Interim Chancellor Gretchen Bataille at Warwick Suite, Warwick New York Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 3 March 2007 | Judy and Bill Watson Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Warwick New York Hotel during NYC Giannini Weekend |
| 31 May 2008 | Patricia Athey Brown and Dr. Malcolm McDougal Brown Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 42nd College Commencement |
| 30 May 2009 | Claire Penn Christopher and F. Hudnall Christopher Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 43rd College Commencement (announced at Giannini Spring weekend) |
| 29 May 2010 | Mary Louise (Bizzell) and John Woodfin Burress III Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 44th College Commencement |
| 28 May 2011 | Phyllis Hemrick Dunning Presented by Chancellor John Mauieri at Stevens Center during 45th College Commencement |
| 6 May 2012 | Susan S. and John D. Gates Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 46th College Commencement |
| 4 May 2013 | Nancy and Paul Gwyn Presented by Chancellor John Mauceri at Stevens Center during 47th College Commencement |
| 10 May 2014 | Elaine Doerschuk Pruitt Presented by Interim Chancellor James Moeser at Stevens Center during 48th College Commencement |
| 9 May 2015 | Jim and Mary Allen Martin Presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at Stevens Center during 49th College Commencement |
| 7 May 2016 | Doug and Sue Henderson Presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at Stevens Center during 50th College Commencement |
| 6 May 2017 | Charles and Lamar Taft Presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at Stevens Center during 51st College Commencement |
| 5 May 2018 | Rev. Douglass M. Bailey and Carolyn L. Bailey Presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at Stevens Center during 52nd College Commencement |
| 4 May 2019 | Anne and Steve Sessions Presented by Chancellor Lindsay Bierman at Stevens Center during 53rd College Commencement |
| 27 May 2020 |
Mary Lynn and John Wigodsky |
| 2021 | Ralph Womble and Ashley Edwards Presented by Chancellor Brian Cole during the 2022 Celebration of Excellence |
| 27 April 2022 |
Mark Land |