The 2026 NC Award will be presented on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Proceeds from ticket sales for the awards ceremony will go to two charities that benefit veterans and military families: Blue Star Families and Camp Corral. 

2026 Award Recipients:

Literature: Jason Mott

Jason Mott is a bestselling author, National Book Award winner, Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction winner, Pushcart Prize nominee, NAACP Image Award nominee, and Carnegie Medals for Excellence Longlist nominee. Originally from Bolton, N.C., Mott has a BFA in Fiction and an MFA in Poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His poetry and fiction have appeared in various literary journals. He is the author of two poetry collections and four novels, including “The Returned,” “The Wonder of All Things,” “The Crossing,” and “Hell of a Book.” 

Public Service: Richard Petty

Known to the world of racing as “The King,” Richard Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR, with 200 career victories and seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championships. Petty started racing in 1958, and the following year he accumulated nine top-10 finishes and was named Rookie of the Year. Two years after he entered NASCAR racing, Petty earned his first first-place finish in Charlotte. He won his first Daytona 500 in 1964, a race he went on to win seven times. Off the track, Petty was awarded the United States Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, was honored by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2003 with the Secretary’s Award for his contributions to the organization, and received the Good Guy Award from the American Legion in 2014 for his contribution to the community. He has also established a summer camp known as “Victory Junction” for children battling severe illness.

Public Service: Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen (Ret.)

Kevin Vereen retired in August 2024 as a lieutenant general after 36 years in the U.S. Army, closing his career as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 – the service’s senior officer for installations and the principal adviser to Army leadership on infrastructure, installation services, and the morale, welfare, and recreation programs that shape daily life for soldiers and their families. He reached that post after commanding the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, where he led more than 14,000 personnel in over 1,400 locations worldwide, and after serving as Provost Marshal General of the Army and Commanding General of U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. As the DCS, G-9, Vereen led the Army’s Quality of Life Task Force, an effort that drove increased investment in installation infrastructure, housing, and barracks, expanded access to childcare, and strengthened support for military spouses. Vereen asserted that quality of life issues were critical to military readiness and maintained quality living facilities for service members as a top priority during his tenure. In August 2025, Governor Stein appointed him to a two-year term on the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission.

Public Service: Randy Woodson

Dr. William “Randy” Woodson served as the 14th chancellor of North Carolina State University from 2010 to 2025, leading the university through a period of extraordinary growth and achievement. Under his leadership, NC State rose in national rankings, doubled undergraduate applications, and completed a $2 billion fundraising campaign. A nationally respected plant scientist and higher education leader, Dr. Woodson also prioritized partnerships that expanded NC State’s reach and impact across North Carolina. A steadfast champion for public education, he worked closely with the Wake County Public School System to support programs that strengthened educator preparation, STEM education, environmental learning, and student success.

Science: Lindsay Zanno

Dr. Lindsay Zanno is an internationally recognized paleontologist whose discoveries, including confirming the existence of the nanotyrannus species, have transformed our understanding of dinosaurs while redefining how scientific research is shared with the public. As head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, she has built one of the world’s leading paleontology research programs and helped establish North Carolina as a global center for scientific discovery. Her groundbreaking research has captivated audiences far beyond the scientific community, engaging millions of visitors, students, educators, and lifelong learners through exhibitions, education, and public outreach that make world-class science accessible to all. Her work exemplifies the mission of a public scientist, ensuring that discoveries made in North Carolina not only advance global knowledge but also expand opportunity, inspire curiosity, and strengthen scientific literacy across our state.

Fine Arts: Beverly McIver

Beverly McIver lives and works in Chapel Hill, N.C. Known for her expressive self-portraits and intimate family narratives, her work is held in major collections including the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. She has received numerous honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Rome Prize, and, most recently, election as a National Academician by the National Academy of Design. McIver was the subject of the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary Raising Renee and in 2022 was celebrated with Full Circle, a traveling retrospective organized by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. She is currently developing an artist residency program, Renny’s Place, in honor of her sister.