The Municipal Association established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals outside municipal government who contribute to the advancement of municipal government in South Carolina.
1976 Senator Walter Bristow
1978 Senator Rembert C. Dennis
1980 Representative Jean H. Toal
1981 The late Harris Page Smith (awarded posthumously)
1981 Representative Thomas Hughston
1982 Governor Richard W. Riley
1983 Senator Heyward McDonald
1984 Senator William Doar
1985 Representative Herbert Kirsh
1986 Representative Robert Joseph Sheheen
1988 Senator James E. Bryan, Jr.
1989 Representative Robert McLellan
1990 Senator Thomas L. Moore
1992 Sidney F. Thomas
1995 Senator John Drummond
1999 Senator Arthur Ravenel, Jr.
2000 Representative James E. Clyburn
2002 Senator Brad Hutto
2004 Senator Ernest F. Hollings
2004 Representative David Wilkins
2006 Senator Phil Leventis
2008 Representative Ben Hagood