Van Cliburn. (Applause.) The 2010 National Medal of Arts to Van Cliburn for his contributions as one of the greatest pianists in the history of music, and as a persuasive ambassador for American culture.
In 2010, Francois van Niekerk, a South African businessman, gave away 70% equity in his company, the Mertech Group, to the Mergon foundation, a private charity he co-founded with his wife.