UNC’s Board of Trustees honored four recipients with its highest award Wednesday.

The William Richardson Davie Award, named for the Revolutionary War hero considered by many to be the father of the school, was established in 1984.

It recognizes extraordinary service to UNC or society as a whole.

The board recognized State Sen. Linda Garrou, Dennis Gillings, former Chancellor James Moeser and State Sen. Richard Stevens.

Garrou was recognized for her work on behalf of N.C. universities and community colleges, including supporting a $3.1 billion bond referendum for that purpose.

Gillings was honored for a $50 million donation to the School of Pubic Health, the largest in the school’s history. The school has since been renamed the Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Moeser was given his award for the time he spent as UNC’s chancellor between 2000 and 2008, a time during which he raised $2.38 billion for the school.

Stevens attended UNC for all three of his degrees before serving on its Board of Trustees. He has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the General Alumni Association.