Today Governor Josh Stein announced that he will present the state’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award, to six distinguished North Carolinians on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. The 2026 honorees are Jason Mott for Literature; Richard Petty, Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen (Ret.), and Randy Woodson for Public Service; Lindsay Zanno for Science; and Beverly McIver for Fine Arts.
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. In August, Governor Stein announced North Carolina became a Do Your Part State — a joint initiative between Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association. Blue Star Families is a national nonprofit organization that supports military families through the challenges of military life by better connecting them with the communities they live in during their servicemembers’ military assignments. Camp Corral is a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting the children of wounded, ill, and fallen servicemembers through recreational and educational programming that help build emotional resilience and transformational skills.
“Over the past six decades, the North Carolina Award has been awarded to many remarkable North Carolinians. Our 2026 recipients represent the best of our state, and it is a privilege to honor these outstanding individuals,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am also honored to focus this year’s awards ceremony on supporting active and former servicemembers. North Carolina’s military and veterans have dedicated their lives to protecting our safety and freedoms, and we will continue doing all we can to support them and their families.”
“This year’s awardees join an illustrious list of people who have led North Carolina through their impressive accomplishments in public service, literature, science, and the arts,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “We look forward to celebrating the very best of North Carolina in November.”
“North Carolina’s military families serve right alongside their servicemembers and veterans, and organizations like Blue Star Families and Camp Corral make a profound difference in their lives,” said Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Their efforts reinforce the resilience of our military communities and ensure families remain supported and connected. They are exceptional organizations whose impact makes them well-deserving of this year's awards ceremony proceeds.”
“Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009. Today we’re the largest nonprofit serving military and veteran families in the country, with more than 450,000 families in our membership,” said Jenny Akin, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and White Oak Collaborative at Blue Star Families. “Our whole approach comes down to one idea: We’re all stronger when we take care of one another. I would like to thank Governor Stein for this incredible honor. Support like this makes our growth possible.”
“We are proud to provide military-connected children an opportunity to experience the transformative power of summer camp, and this incredible gift will help us reach even more families and expand opportunities for children whose parents and guardians have served our country,” says Camp Corral CEO Phil Kowalczyk. “We are especially honored to share this opportunity with Blue Star Families, whose work supports active military families while Camp Corral focuses on veteran families. Together, we demonstrate the power of collaboration in serving those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.”
The North Carolina Award was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to recognize significant contributions to the state and nation in the fields of fine arts, literature, public service, and science. Since the award’s inception, more than 300 notable men and women have been honored by the state of North Carolina. Past recipients include William Friday, James Taylor, Etta Baker, Maya Angelou, Lee Smith, Eric Church, Selma Burke, and Branford Marsalis. Last year, the 2025 North Carolina Awards celebrated eight Helene Heroes, raising nearly $200,000 for the North Carolina Community Foundation to continue its Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. People interested in attending North Carolina Awards on Nov. 17 may secure tickets here.
The North Carolina Awards Committee consists of Nina S. Szlosberg-Landis (Chair), Margaret Abrams, Joe Sam Queen, Tom Terrell, and Margaret Weller Stargell. The awards are managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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 contributions 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 more than 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 child care, 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. W. Randolph 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.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.