The Order of the Palmetto was presented to him on April 18, 2017
The Order of the Palmetto is the state’s highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor
to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements
of national or statewide significance. The Order of the Palmetto is a once in a lifetime
achievement, and in a fitting finale during Dr. Portnoy’s final concert conducting
the University of South Carolina’s premier orchestra, President Pastides presented
the award to the esteemed conductor.
Alumni of Dr. Portnoy joined the orchestra on this special concert. One hundred musicians
on stage plus violin virtuoso Vadim Gluzman on his 1690 Stradivari, played a thrilling
concert of Wagner, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Dr. Portnoy received a standing ovation
as he first came on stage, and the concert ended with four standing ovations for Dr.
Portnoy, the USC Symphony Orchestra, and guest artist Gluzman.