AWARDS
A lifetime of civic service and business leadership earned Henry Segerstrom fitting recognition and distinction from a diverse and illustrious collective throughout his life.

In 1945, at the end of the Second World War and at the beginning of what would become his storied business and philanthropic career, Henry received his first award from the United States Armed Forces. While only in his early 20’s, Henry received the Purple Heart and European Theater of Operations Ribbon with Battle Star after being wounded on the front lines in Germany. Henry would return home from the war overseas to complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Stanford University where his enduring mark would be left as an alumnus.

Stanford Associates recognized Henry in 2007, inducting him into the Sigma Chi Hall of Fame; and soon after, Stanford University presented Henry T. Segerstrom with the prestigious Ernest C. Arbuckle Award for his lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in business management in 2008. Other noteworthy accolades in Henry’s academic career would eventually include an honorary Doctorate of Law from Western University in 1986 and an honorary Doctorate from Whittier Law School in 2002.

TIMELINE OF AWARDS

The Purple Heart, United States Armed Forces

The Purple Heart, United States Armed Forces

In 1945, at the end of the Second World War and at the beginning of what would become his storied business and philanthropic career, Henry received his first award from the United States Armed Forces. While only in his early 20’s and serving as Captain in the Army Field Artillery, Henry earned the Purple Heart and European Theater of Operations Ribbon with Battle Star after being wounded on the German front lines in the infamous Battle of the Bulge.Awarded in the name of the President on or after April 5, 1917, the Purple Heart is traditionally given to those wounded…

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Outstanding Citizen Award, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College awarded Henry with its Outstanding Citizen Award for his civic and philanthropic work as well as his contributions to the city of Costa Mesa, California.

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Hall of Fame inductee, U.S. Army Artillery School

The U.S. Army Artillery School welcomed Henry into their Hall of Fame in 1971 for his outstanding service to the community of Orange County as well as for his receipt of the honorable Purple Heart Award. In order to be admitted into the Hall of Fame, recipients must have graduated from one of seven Officer Candidate School artillery programs, such as the one in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which Henry attended. They must also meet one of four other criteria: recipient of the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross, attained the rank of colonel or above while on active…

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Citizen of the Year, Coast Community College

Awarded by Coast Community College, Henry was honored with their Citizen of the Year award for his civic work and contributions to public education in Orange County.

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Fifth Heart Award, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce

As a salute to the Segerstrom Family, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce presented them with its highest accolade, the Fifth Heart Award, honoring the family’s distinguished history in Southern California. The award, accepted by Henry, noted the family’s engagement in every facet of Costa Mesa community life—from commerce to the arts—since the turn of the 20th century.

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Mardan Award, Mardan Center of Educational Therapy

The Mardan Award was presented to Henry by the Mardan Center of Educational Therapy in 1977. The Mardan School is a non-profit institution in Southern California that seeks to fulfill the educational needs of children in Orange County. Since 1962, The Mardan School’s mission has been to support bright children whose emotional, social, behavioral, and/or learning difficulties have impacted their ability to succeed in typical school settings. Henry’s commitment to special needs children in his community garnered the attention of the Mardan School who chose to give him this distinction.

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Scroll of Appreciation, City of Costa Mesa

The Scroll of Appreciation was bestowed upon Henry in 1977 by the Mayor of Costa Mesa in recognition of his many contributions to the betterment and development of the city.

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Award for Community Service in the Architectural Profession, Orange County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects awarded Henry with their Community Service Award for his outstanding service to his community and to the design profession.

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Meritorious Achievement in the Arts Award, Orange County Arts Alliance

First Patron of the Arts Award, Orange County Master Chorale

Headliner of the Year in Business, Orange County Press Club

First Golden Baton Award, Philharmonic Society of Orange County

First Golden Baton Award, Philharmonic Society of Orange County

In 1982, Henry was the inaugural recipient of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s Golden Baton Award in recognition of his activism and avid support of the arts in Orange County. The Golden Baton award was created to give special recognition to those whose dedication to the proliferation of the arts in Southern California has been nothing less than extraordinary. Its past recipients include numerous luminaries and leaders in the arts including Donald L. Bren, Elaine M. Redfield, Zubin Mehta, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, William J. Gillespie, Marjorie Rawlins, and Dr. and Mrs. Edward Shanbrom, to name a few.

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Champion of the Year, March of Dimes

Henry was honored by the Orange County Chapter of the March of Dimes as Champion of the Year for his unselfish devotion and dedication to providing Costa Mesa and the surrounding communities with distinctive commercial development and cultural facilities.

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Honorary Board Award, South Coast Repertory Theatre

Man of the Year, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce

In recognition of his outstanding community service and contributions to making the city of Costa Mesa a well-planned urban center, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce awarded Henry with their Man of the Year Award in 1983.

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Man of the Year, Mesa Consolidated Water District

Distinguished Achievement Award, National Business Committee for the Arts

The Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to Henry in 1984 by the National Business Committee for the Arts in recognition of his development of South Coast Plaza. The Business Committee for the Arts was founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller and other business leaders to encourage companies and corporations to invest in the arts.

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Arts & Humanities Award, National Watercolor Society

Certificate of Commendation, City of Los Angeles

In 1985, Mayor Tom Bradley, on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, presented Henry with a Certificate of Commendation for his years of philanthropic work in the region.

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Commendation for Distinguished Public Service, California Water Commission

Henry was recognized by the California Water Commission for his years as Director of the Orange County Water District (from 1957 to 1984). Henry Segerstrom served three consecutive terms as the President of the Board of Directors and initiated the District’s commitment to waste water reclamation that resulted in the construction of Water Factory 21, settling the long-standing water rights disputes in the Santa Ana River. Lending his business acumen to his work on the Board of Directors, Henry helped to establish a regional water management technique making the Orange County Water District unique in the State of California.

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Ninth Annual Service Award, California Theatre Council

The California Theatre Council honored Henry at their Ninth Annual Awards ceremony in 1985 for his leadership in the support of theatre and all the arts.

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Business in the Arts Award, The Orange County Business Committee for the Arts

The Business in the Arts Award was presented to Henry and C.J. Segerstrom & Sons in 1986 by the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts in recognition of his outstanding achievements in and support of the arts.

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Community Service Award, Orange County Musician’s Association

Half-Century Club Award, Stanford School of Business

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, Western State University, College of Law

Medici Award, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Henry was granted the Medici Award by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for his support of the arts and culture in Southern California.

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Outstanding Executive in Entertainment & Leisure, Executive Magazine

Thomas Jefferson Award, America Society of Interior Designers

Distinguished Achievement Award, The National Business Committee for the Arts

Distinguished Achievement Award, National Business Committee for the Arts

The Distinguished Achievement Award was presented to Henry T. Segerstrom from the National Business Committee for the Arts for his outstanding support of the arts and culture in his community. The awards, which are presented jointly by Business Committee for the Arts Inc. and Forbes Magazine, are given out annually on the recommendation of an independent panel of judges.

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Leonardo de Vinci Award, California Confederation of the Arts

Henry received the Leonardo da Vinci Award in 1998 from the California Confederation of the Arts in honor of his generous donation of land and resources for the development of the Orange County Performing Arts Center (now the Segerstrom Center for the Arts). The award, created in 1982, is the only statewide honor given to an individual for exemplary contributions to the arts. Former recipients of the da Vinci Award have included former state Senator Alan Sieroty; Neil E. Harlan, chairman of the McKesson Corp.; William F. Kieschnick, former president and chief executive officer of Arco; and arts patrons Lois…

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Proclamation of Commendation, County Supervisor of the Fifth District

On behalf of its citizens, the County Supervisor of the Fifth District of Orange County honored Henry with a Proclamation of Commendation in 1988 for his extraordinary contributions to the arts and in recognition of his receipt of the prestigious Leonardo da Vinci Award. Henry Segerstrom was selected as the 1988 recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci Award for his leadership role in the creation of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. As Chairman of the Performing Arts Center, Henry capably directed the largest fund development program in Orange County, securing an endowment to the arts of $65,000,000.

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Tony Award, American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League

The South Coast Repertory Theatre in Orange County was founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and is widely regarded as one of America’s foremost producers of new plays. The Segerstrom Family’s gift of land and resources in 1977 allowed the theatre to rebuild and expand on what is now the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus. The new SCR opened in 1978, initially with only a 507-seat Mainstage, but by 1979 their large rehearsal hall had been converted into a 161-seat Second Stage. Due to the help and patronage of the Segerstrom Family, SCR had reached its…

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Order of the Polar Star, County of Sweden

Order of the Polar Star, County of Sweden

In 1988, in recognition of Sweden’s 350th Anniversary in America, Henry was awarded the Honorary title of Commander and bestowed with the Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf. The Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish order of chivalry first awarded by King Frederick I in 1748. The award is intended to recognize foreigners who exemplify “civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions.” As the grandson of Swedish immigrants to Orange County, Henry proudly accepted the award on…

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Distinguished Achievement Award, Business Committee for the Arts

Man of the Decade Award, The Metropolitan Journal

Host/Humanitarian of the Year, Les Dames de Champagne, Los Angeles Division

Presented to Henry by Les Dames de Champagne, International Hostesses (Los Angeles division), the Humanitarian of the Year award is presented annually to a citizen who has effectively furthered the volunteer services of the organization whose purpose it is to endorse the United States and California as hospitality landmarks of global goodwill and friendship.

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Lifetime Achievement Award, University of California at Irvine

The Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine presented Henry with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 celebrating and honoring the achievements, philanthropy and service of leaders in the real estate industry.

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Los Angeles Beautiful Business and Industry Award, Los Angeles Beautiful, Inc.

This award was presented to Henry by Los Angeles Beautiful, Inc. for his extraordinary contribution to the beautification of Southern California. Named for the founder of Los Angeles Beautiful, the award was created to recognize exceptional service or significant contribution made by a person or organization to the improvement of the Southland’s environmental quality. Henry’s long standing commitment to green building technology, even in its nascent years, earned him this distinction in 1992.

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Business for Culture and the Arts Leadership Award, National Business Committee for the Arts

Business for Culture and the Arts Leadership Award, National Business Committee for the Arts

Henry’s passion for the arts can be seen throughout his life in the many philanthropic artistic causes he so fervently supported. Henry also encouraged those in the business community to join him in establishing long-standing relationships with major arts organizations both nationally and internationally. Founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, the Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), a board within Americans for the Arts, encourages and motivates businesses to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and in the community. The BCA board provides leadership on key initiatives including messaging, advocacy, and strategic alliances within the private-sector community. Henry…

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Stanford Pace Program Award, Stanford

1944-Normandy-1994, 50 Years of Freedom Award, Battle of Normandy Foundation

AIAOC Board of Directors’ Award, American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects, Orange County Chapter, honored Henry in 1994 for service and vision as an individual not in the architectural field who has contributed to his or her city’s urban fabric. He was recognized for his creativity and dedication to quality of the highest standards, to originality of design, to awareness of the impact of the built environment on business and residences and for his commitment to and advocacy for public art. The award also recognized Segerstrom’s patronage and development of Isamu Noguchi’s “California Scenario” on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus. The AIOA noted Segerstrom’s…

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Distinguished Achievement Award, The National Business Committee for the Arts

Ellis Island Medal of Honor, American Legends Award, National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundations, Inc.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was bestowed upon Henry in 1994 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundations Inc., further recognizing Henry’s accomplishments and their direct connection to his family’s immigrant narrative. Since its establishment in 1986, the Medal has been officially recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of the nation’s most prestigious awards. Past recipients include six former Presidents of the United States as well as venerated Americans such as Muhammad Ali, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, and Rosa Parks. The award is given to individuals who have made their life’s mission to share their wealth…

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Environmental Building Award, American Institute of Architects

As a land developer, Henry demonstrated the same foresight and progressive approach to building as was evident in his business and philanthropic endeavors. Henry was a pioneer of green technology and sustainable building practices in his community; and in 1994, the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment granted Henry their prestigious Environmental Building Award. At the time, the award was in its infancy and Henry’s was one of the first awards their organization granted. The honor recognized Henry as a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable design and architecture and to this day, this particular award still is…

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Significant Sig Medal, Sigma Chi Fraternity

The Significant Sig medal was presented to Henry by the Orange County Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter for his many business and philanthropic achievements, which brought honor and prestige to the name of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. The Significant Sig award is the highest honor of the Sigma Chi Fraternity; the award, up to 1994, had only been bestowed on 800 members nationwide since its inception.

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A Key to the City, City of Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana honored Henry with a key to their city in recognition of commitment to the arts and culture in Santa Ana.

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Distinguished Achievement Award, National Business Committee for the Arts

Presented to Henry T. Segerstrom by the Business Committee for the Arts

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Exceptional Citizen Award, City of Santa Ana

Presented to Henry T. Segerstrom by the City of Santa Ana Mayor’s office

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Named Founding Chairman for Life, Orange County Performing Arts Center

Tree of Life Award, Jewish National Fund

Tree of Life Award, Jewish National Fund

Henry’s cosmopolitan vision for Orange County was always influenced by the global scope of his ambition and interests – a vision recognized throughout his life by the international community. In 1995, Margaret Thatcher presented Henry with the prestigious Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund in recognition of his work to advance desalination exploration and research. This esteemed award distinguishes recipients’ commitment to community involvement, their dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship, and their dedication to peace and the security of human life. Past recipients have included former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State…

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Outstanding Support Award, City of Santa Ana

30-year Block AS Service Pin, Stanford Associates

Hall of Fame inductee, California Cultural Tourism

Businessman of the Year Award, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Ethics in America Award, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Art in Public Places Award, The Architecture Foundation of Orange County

Art in Public Places Award, Architectural Foundation of Orange County

Orange County Daily Pilot, #1 of 103 Most Influential

Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award, Community Visionary, Arts in Orange County

Recognition of Leadership to Community and County, Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge

Honorable Mention for the Bridge of Gardens, Orange County Engineering Council

Director of the Year Award, Forum for Corporate Directors

Director of the Year Award, Forum for Corporate Directors

Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree, Whittier Law School

Honoring an Orange County Philanthropist, The Youth Employment Service of the Harbor Area Inc.

The Youth Employment Service of the Harbor Area, Inc. (YES) honored C.J. Segerstrom & Sons and Henry Segerstrom, Managing Partner, at their 30th Annual Roman Feast Charity Auction. The Roman Feast is the main fundraiser for YES and a unique grassroots event that brings together a broad cross-section of the local community in the spirit of “Developing Youth for Tomorrow”. The money raised goes directly to helping the community’s youth develop self-esteem and confidence by helping them cultivate the resources they need to embolden their futures.

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Honorary Committee Member, The Freedom Committee of Orange County

Segerstrom Lifetime Achievement Award, Orange County Business Council

Hall of Fame inductee, U.S. Army Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Aristeia Award, KOCE Public Television

Named for a Greek word signifying the best and the bravest, the Aristeia Award was presented to Henry by KOCE Public television for his work in Orange County as a community leader; the shape of the award is meant to symbolize a spirit of excellence and leadership.

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The John and Donna Crean Reach Out Award, YMCA

The John and Donna Crean “Reach Out Award” honored the Segerstrom family at a dinner benefitting the YMCA services to high-risk youth and families in the community. With this honor, the Segerstrom family’s influence was recognized along with growth and development of Orange County since the mid-century, the family’s altruism testimony to their commitment to community leadership. Individually, and as a family, they gave both time and resources to civic not-for-profit organizations including gifts of land holdings to the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, the YMCA, and to the historic Estancia Adobe Monument Park in Costa…

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Legacy Award, Orange County Tourism Industry Arts

The Orange County Tourism Council presented Henry with its first annual Legacy Award, honoring a visionary in the tourism industry. The award was given for his contribution to the growth of Orange County as well as for the spirit of innovation and creativity Henry exemplified in dedicating his life to the belief that Orange County could become one of the country’s tourist capitals. This unique Legacy Medal was created to signify the beauty and opportunities that California has to offer along with those who pledge their lives to spreading this belief. The multi-colored ribbons from which the medal is suspended…

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Visionary Award, Ballet Pacifica

Legacy Prix d’Honneur, Business Committee for the Arts, Orange County

The Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. honored Henry at their 24th Annual Business in the Arts Awards dinner with a unique, one-of-a-kind award, “The Legacy Prix d’Honneur (The Legacy Prize of Honor). The award was created specifically to honor Henry Segerstrom, a Managing Partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the developer, owner and manager of South Coast Plaza, and Founding Chairman of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “Henry is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime philanthropist,: said Betty Moss, Founding Executive Director OCBCA. “His exceptional leadership, extraordinary vision and consummate commitment to encouraging and developing the arts has forever…

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Hall of Fame-Sigma Chi, Stanford Associates, Stanford University

CELSOC-Award of Excellence for Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Consulting Engineers & Land Surveyors of California

Visionary Leadership Award, Planning Directors Association of Orange County

Great Ambassador Honor, World Affairs Council of Orange

The World Affairs Council of Orange honored Henry at their 40th Anniversary Gala at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace. As a Great Ambassador, Henry Segerstrom introduced Orange County to the rest of the world through his outstanding accomplishments in the performing arts and though his broad cultural vision for his city.

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Luxury Marketing Council – Honoree, Luxury Marketing Council

Henry was honored by the Luxury Marketing Council for his commitment to luxury retail development in California through the development of South Coast Plaza.

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Founders’ Circle, Stanford University

The Ernest C. Arbuckle Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business

The Ernest C. Arbuckle Award, Stanford Graduate School of Business

After WWII, Henry would return home from the war overseas to complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Stanford University where his enduring mark would be left as an alumnus. Stanford Associates recognized Henry in 2007, inducting him into the Sigma Chi Hall of Fame; and soon after, Stanford University presented Henry T. Segerstrom with the prestigious Ernest C. Arbuckle Award in 2008 for his lifetime of outstanding accomplishments in business management. Sponsored annually by the Stanford Business School Alumni Association, the Ernest C. Arbuckle Award recognizes excellence in the field of management leadership. The award was created in…

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Julius Shulman Communication Award, Woodbury University

Henry Segerstrom was honored with the 2008 Julius Schulman Communication Award by Woodbury University. Judged by Shulman and his committee, the award is presented annually to an individual, determined as one who thoroughly understands the essentials of objective and qualitative communication. Julius Schulman was a famed architectural photographer who founded the Julius Schulman Institute at Woodbury University in 2005. Schulman was also Henry’s friend and colleague, developing a small body of work photographing both South Coast Plaza and the campus of the Segerstrom Center for Arts.

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Award of Excellence-California Scenario (Noguchi Garden), Orange County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

In 2009 Henry would receive yet another Award of Excellence from the Orange County Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his compelling commission of ‘California Scenario’ (also referred to as the “Noguchi Garden”), a public sculpture garden on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus designed by artist Isamu Noguchi.

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LEED-EB Gold Certification for Operations and Maintenance, US Green Building Council Art in the Environment Award

25 Year Award, American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects awarded Henry with their 25 Year Award, a tradition in the Institute honoring exceptional responses to the complex problems of today’s architectural environment. The AIAOC’s annual Design Awards celebrate innovative solutions to the architectural challenges facing Orange County, regardless of project category, type, or budget.

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The Medal of Excellence Award, Carnegie Hall

The Medal of Excellence Award, Carnegie Hall

Continuing his advocacy and expansive vision for the arts in Orange County, in the Fall of 2009 Henry initiated an unprecedented alliance between Carnegie Hall and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Henry’s artistic collaboration brought programming from Carnegie Hall’s “Ancient Paths, Modern Voices” festival celebrating Chinese culture to Southern California, resulting in a West Coast festival presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and prominent partner institutions. This marked the first time Carnegie Hall’s 120-year history that the Hall had partnered with a performing arts center outside of New York City. This institutional alliance was recognized on June…

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June 7th, Segerstrom Center for the Arts Day, City of New York

In association with Henry’s prestigious honor from Carnegie Hall, The Medal of Excellence Award, Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director, in association with New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, presented Mr. Segerstrom with a Proclamation declaring June 7, 2010, Segerstrom Center for the Arts Day in New York.

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Named Founding Board Chairman, The Center Club

Celebrating 25 years, the Board of Governors of the Center Club, in Segerstrom Center for the Arts, honored Henry T. Segerstrom as the Founding Board Chairman.

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The Dizzy Feet Foundation Award, The Music Center and Ovation

Presented by the Music Center and Ovation, Henry was awarded the Dizzy Feet Foundation Award by The Music Center and Ovation in recognition of his contributions and commitment to dance education across the United States.

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Hall of Fame inductee, Stanford Professionals in Real Estate

Spire Award, Stanford Real Estate Hall of Fame

Presented to Henry by the Stanford Real Estate Hall of Fame, the SPIRE award honored Henry’s lifelong commitment to innovation within the world of real estate, place making and the built environment. SPIRE seeks to build upon the real estate tradition at Stanford and to provide a platform for continued excellence in the field. Their goals are to provide a forum for professional development of alumni in the broad real estate industry, to afford opportunities to current students for mentorship and professional exposure to the world of real estate, and to engage the University itself in developing a robust multi-disciplinary…

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Honor of Dedication, The Orange County Water District

Ambassador Club-Bet on the Wheels, The Guilds, Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Lifetime Achievement Award, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and South Coast Metro Alliance

Coaster Lifetime Achievement Award, Coast Magazine Community Awards

Difference Makers –Santa Ana Person of the Year, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce