The Thirteenth Annual Wilkins Awards Dinner
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
January 9, 2018
Held on the first night of the legislative session each year and attended by political, community, and business leaders, the Wilkins Awards Dinner promotes citizenship, public service, and bipartisan governing. The Wilkins Awards are named for former Speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives and Ambassador to Canada, David H. Wilkins and honor the leadership, courage, vision, and integrity of one South Carolina legislator and one South Carolina civic leader. View this year’s program | Read Furman’s news release
Rep. Weston Newton
2017 Wilkins Award for Legislative Leadership
He was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives in 2013 and is known for working across the aisle on legislation that improves the lives of South Carolinians. He is the chairman of the Legislative Oversight Committee and also serves on the Judiciary Committee.
Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., 12th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2017 Wilkins Award for Civic Leadership
He served as the 12th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under President Obama. Born and raised in Columbia, Bolden was an astronaut and naval aviator. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2003, and his many military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in May 2006.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors of the thirteenth annual Wilkins Awards Dinner
Silver Level
Bronze Level
- BMW Manufacturing Company
- Michelin North America
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
- SC BIZ News
- Spartanburg Regional
- Verizon
Table Sponsor
- AT&T
- The Ballentine Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
- Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
- Charleston School of Law
- Clemson University
- The Duke Endowment
- Duke Energy
- Institute for Child Success
- MidlandsBiz
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
- South Carolina Hospital Association
- University of South Carolina
Our great thanks to these Sustaining Sponsors, who support the work of the Riley Institute throughout the year:
Sustaining Sponsors
- Dick Riley
- Total Wine & More
- Lindsay and Billy Webster