Gov. Mike Easley and First Lady Mary Easley handed out the annual North Carolina Awards Monday evening to leaders in public service, science, fine arts and literature.

Author Charles Frazier, philanthropist Ann Goodnight, former Gov. Jim Martin and former UNC mens basketball coach Dean Smith are among the recipients.

The awards recognize leaders in the state in each of those fields, and this year is the 45th presentation of the gold medalion suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon. The state legislature created the awards in 1961, and the first set was handed out in 1964.

Past recipients include poet Maya Angelou and singer/songwriter James Taylor.

Below, a complete list of winners and their achievements.