2013 N.C. Award Winner for Public Service -- Walt Wolfram

Walt Wolfram is an internationally acclaimed linguist who has transformed the appreciation and understanding of the historical and social importance North Carolina's rich language and dialect heritage. Appointed the William C. Friday Distinguished professor at North Carolina State University in 1992, he founded the North Carolina Language and Life Project that has become a national model for sociolinguistic engagement and the dissemination of knowledge to the public. Through his work Wolfram developed the "principle of linguistic gratuity" emphasizing the importance of giving back to the communities where he collects data for his research studies. With a colleague, Wolfram developed the first statewide school curriculum in the United States on dialect and language that complements the study of state history for eighth grade students in North Carolina. He continually engages the community through his work creating museum exhibits, appearing at the N. C. State Fair, serving as consultant topopular TV shows such as Sesame Street and creating eight documentaries on the dialects and languages of North Carolina. Wolfram has been recognized for his outstanding work with many awards, including the John Tyler Caldwell Award for the Humanities, the Holladay Medal for lifetime achievement at N. C. State University and the Linguistics, Language and the Public Award from the Linguistic Society of America. In addition, he has also been recognized with the N. C. State Alumni Association Research Award, the Graduate Professor Award and the Extension and Engagement Award.