1984: Elizabeth Dole
1985: David Murdock
1986: Jim Hurley III
1987: Edward Clement
1988: Tim Russell
1989: Don Martin
1990: Darrell Hinnant
1991: Ralph and Anne Ketner
1992: Food Lion
1993: Newton Cohen
1994: Bob Martin.
1995: Fieldcrest-Cannon Stadium.
1996: Rowan Regional Medical Center
1997: Four children die of abuse
1998: Julian Robertson Jr.
1999: David Treme
2000: Displaced workers
2001: Dale Earnhardt
2002: Elizabeth Dole
2003: U.S. soldiers
2004: Dr. Albert J.D. Aymer
2005: Tim Russell
2006: Jack Thomson
2007: Treasure Feamster