
Designlife Award Gala
Join us as we toast to another year of good design!
The Designlife Award recognizes the significant contribution that an individual or group has made in design and brings awareness to the importance of design in the community – and the practice of good design as a sign of good citizenship.
As the college enters a milestone year, the Designlife Gala and presentation of the Designlife award will return. To celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary, the College of Design chose to award two significant Designlife awards – one to signify a lifetime of achievement, and one to honor a new and emerging professional.
Designlife Gala Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors of the 2023 Designlife Gala.
Winners of the 2023 Designlife Award

Past Recipients:
*denotes deceased
- 2023 – Edwin F. “Abie” Harris, Jr., FAIA and J. Stacy Utley
- 2020-2021 – William V. “Bill” Bell
- 2019 – Stephen Hill
- 2018 – Frank Harmon
- 2017 – Marvin Malecha*
- 2016 – Charman Driver + Frank Thompson
- 2015 – Steve Schuster*
- 2014 – Mitchell Silver
- 2013 – Clancy & Theys
- 2012 – Philip Freelon*
- 2011 – William Ivey Long
- 2010 – Greg Hatem
- 2009 – Tom Darden
- 2008 – Jim Goodmon
- 2007 – Ann Goodnight
- 2006 – Lawrence Wheeler
- 2005 – Gail Lindsey*
- 2004 – Richard Curtis*
- 2003 – Myrick Howard
- 2002 – Thomas Sayre
- 2001 – Betty Ray McCain*
- 2000 – Mary Ann* and Samuel Scherr*
- 1999 – Harvey Gantt
- 1998 – George Matsumoto and Duncan Stuart*
Designlife Gala sponsorships support the Design Professional Outreach Fund. All funds are managed by the NC State University Foundation.