WINSTON-SALEM – Edwin H. Martinat III, a staff member and alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), received the Erskine Bowles Staff Service Award today from UNC system president Tom Ross at a ceremony in Chapel Hill.

 The award is given annually to a staff member at one of UNC’s 17 institutions “who has shown exemplary understanding, empathy, and devotion to mankind and whose accomplishments are consistent with the goals exemplified by Erskine B. Bowles during his tenure as UNC President and in accordance with the University’s public service mission.”

 Martinat is assistant director of High School Life in the Division of Student Affairs, a position he has held since 2009. In 2008 he received his B.F.A. from the School of Design and Production at UNCSA, majoring in stage management.

 Informed of the award last week, Martinat said he was surprised and honored. “There are many employees of the University system who deserve this award,” he said. “It means so much that this recognition comes from my colleagues.”

Photo caption: Edwin H. Martinat III, third from left, poses with his Erskine Bowles Award, along with colleagues, from left,  Nyambi Shannon, Elizabeth Spruill, Joe Rick, George Burnett, Nakita Green, Ward Caldwell and Jennifer Wells.

Dean of Students Ward Caldwell said, “Edwin is the embodiment of the spirit and energy outlined in the Erskine Bowles Award. I consider UNCSA and the Division of Student Affairs to be extremely fortunate to have Edwin as a valued member of our campus community.”

Last spring, Martinat was honored by the campus as the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award, partly in recognition for free zumba classes he teaches twice a week to improve campus morale and fitness. Martinat has also served UNCSA by advising the high school gay/straight student alliance, performing the role of Mother Ginger in The Nutcracker, serving on the selection committee for the Excellence in Teaching Awards, leading a two-hour “zumbathon” to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, and serving as stage manager for high school commencement ceremonies.

 Outside of UNCSA, Martinat serves on the board of the Adam Foundation, which supports the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and assists organizations that serve those living with HIV and AIDS. He chairs the foundations’ largest annual fundraiser. He also participates in the annual gingerbread house decorating event to benefit Brenner Children’s Hospital, and is a volunteer stage manager for Twin City Stage. 

 “Edwin is one of those unique individuals who has the ability to make you smile and feel that you are a valued and loved person,” Caldwell said. “Starting with his inviting smile and continuing with his gregarious and positive personality, Edwin encourages you to be your best and enjoy life all with a broad grin on your face.”

Martinat is the third recipient of the Erskine Bowles award. Both of the previous recipients have been from UNC-Asheville.

 As America’s first state-supported arts school, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a unique stand-alone public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem (“The City of Arts and Innovation”) in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. For more information, visit www.uncsa.edu.

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