GOLDEN BATON AWARD

For her ongoing support of musical education, Marjorie Rawlins of Newport Beach was presented with the Golden Baton Award on Saturday at a benefit dinner sponsored by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Rawlins, honored at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, joins past winners including Zubin Mehta, Henry T. Segerstrom and Donald L. Bren. “Her generosity to the philharmonic and other organizations over the years has been extraordinary,” said Dean Corey, the society’s executive director. Though Corey would not disclose the amount of money Rawlins has donated to the philharmonic, she has donated millions to UC Irvine’s music department. Of her philanthropy, which includes college scholarships for students around the country, Rawlins said: “It gives me great pleasure. Education is terribly important, and music is often neglected in schools. There are so many talented kids--all they need is an opportunity.”