Support Batten Outstanding Virginian Award Outstanding Virginian Award The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia established the Outstanding Virginian Award to honor recipients whose distinguished contributions, outstanding achievements, and dedicated leadership serve as an inspiration to all civic-minded citizens. The award, considered the Commonwealth’s highest honor, was first presented to United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. in 1983. The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the General Assembly-appointed Outstanding Virginian Committee co-host the annual Outstanding Virginian Award Ceremony to honor the year’s recipient(s) in a celebration that includes their family members, friends, and admirers. Proceeds realized from the event support the Outstanding Virginian Bicentennial Scholarship at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. 2022 Recipient: Rita Janette Forrester The Outstanding Virginian Committee and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy announced Rita Forrester as the 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Virginian Award. Forrester was honored at the Virginia State Capitol on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. “We’re proud to have such a wonderful member of the Commonwealth be honored as this year’s Outstanding Virginian,” said Chair of the Outstanding Virginian Committee John B. Adams, Jr. “Rita Forrester and her family have provided generations of Virginians with bluegrass music through their enduring family legacy.” Forrester is the executive director of the Carter Family Fold, an 880-seat amphitheater in Scott County, where visitors from around the world come to hear music inspired by the Carter family. As the granddaughter of the legendary AP and Sara Carter, Forrester ensures the cultural legacy of the “First Family of Country Music” lives on and inspires future generations through weekly performances of old-time and bluegrass music. Forrester emcees the shows, books the performers, and supervises staff and volunteers of the Fold as they host over 50,000 visitors a year. The Carter Family Fold stage has been graced by many country music legends including Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Tom T. Hall, Waylon Jennings, and Marty Stuart. Outstanding Virginian Committee John B. Adams, Jr. The Honorable Thomas H. Anderson, Jr. Leslie S. Ariail James W. Fletcher, III John H. H. Graves John D. Hardesty, Jr. James E. Rich Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr. Ian H. Solomon Recipients of the Outstanding Virginian Award 2022 Rita Janette Forrester 2021 No recipient 2020 William H. Goodwin, Jr. 2019 The Honorable W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. and Mrs. Helen Turner Murphy 2018 The Honorable William J. Howell 2017 Bruce C. Gottwald and Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr. 2016 No recipient 2015 Maestro Lorin V. Maazel and Dietlinde Turban Maazel 2014 Eugene P. Trani 2013 William B. Holtzman 2012 The Honorable John H. Hager 2011 Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel 2010 The Honorable John W. Warner 2009 Charles F. Bryan, Jr. 2008 Ralph E. Stanley 2007 Senator Mark R. Warner 2006 Daniel P. Jordan 2005 Elizabeth H. Haskell 2004 Lora M. Robins 2003 Oliver W. Hill 2002 John T. Hazel, Jr. and William A. Hazel 2001 Brenton S. Halsey 2000 The Honorable Alson H. Smith, Jr. 1999 Timothy J. Sullivan 1998 Mary P. Mathews 1997 The Honorable Hunter B. Andrews 1996 Sydney and Frances Lewis 1995 The Honorable George M. Cochran IV and Marion Lee Cochran 1994 The Honorable Gerald L. Baliles 1993 John T. Casteen, III 1992 The Honorable A. Linwood Holton 1991 Ronald E. Carrier 1990 The Honorable Harry L. Carrico 1989 The Honorable Dorothy S. McDiarmid 1988 The Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr. 1987 The Honorable Charles S. Robb 1986 James C. Wheat 1985 The Honorable J. Kenneth Robinson 1984 The Honorable Mills E. Godwin, Jr. 1983 The Honorable Harry F. Byrd, Jr. View All