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 was first presented to United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. in 1983. The Outstanding Virginian Committee, on which the dean of the Batten School currently serves, hosts an annual award ceremony to honor the year’s recipient(s) in a celebration that includes their family members, friends and close colleagues. 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 2025 A.E. Dick Howard2024 John Grisham2023 G. Gilmer Minor, III2022 Rita Janette Forrester2021 No recipient2020 William H. Goodwin, Jr.2019 The Honorable W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. and Mrs. Helen Turner Murphy2018 The Honorable William J. Howell2017 Bruce C. Gottwald and Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr.2016 No recipient2015 Maestro Lorin V. Maazel and Dietlinde Turban Maazel2014 Eugene P. Trani2013 William B. Holtzman2012 The Honorable John H. Hager2011 Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel2010 The Honorable John W. Warner2009 Charles F. Bryan, Jr. 2008 Ralph E. Stanley2007 Senator Mark R. Warner2006 Daniel P. Jordan2005 Elizabeth H. Haskell2004 Lora M. Robins2003 Oliver W. Hill 2002 John T. Hazel, Jr. and William A. Hazel2001 Brenton S. Halsey2000 The Honorable Alson H. Smith, Jr.1999 Timothy J. Sullivan1998 Mary P. Mathews1997 The Honorable Hunter B. Andrews1996 Sydney and Frances Lewis1995 The Honorable George M. Cochran IV and Marion Lee Cochran1994 The Honorable Gerald L. Baliles1993 John T. Casteen, III1992 The Honorable A. Linwood Holton1991 Ronald E. Carrier1990 The Honorable Harry L. Carrico1989 The Honorable Dorothy S. McDiarmid1988 The Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr.1987 The Honorable Charles S. Robb1986 James C. Wheat1985 The Honorable J. Kenneth Robinson1984 The Honorable Mills E. Godwin, Jr.1983 The Honorable Harry F. Byrd, Jr. View All