“As a director of hundreds of plays and a mentor to generations of artists, his work has inspired audiences and theater productions across the nation,” the aide said, triggering a round of applause from the audience as Bush took the large gold medal and draped its wide blue ribbon over Noel's neck.

“It was a very impressive thing to happen, and I was most happy and pleased,” Noel said shortly before flying back to San Diego.

Globe executive director Louis Spisto, who accompanied Noel to Washington, said Noel was particularly touched that first lady Laura Bush singled him out for a brief mention.

“We know our country's arts are diverse when we can celebrate a theater director who specializes in England's bard, and an institute dedicated to the uniquely American art of jazz,” she said, coupling Noel with those being honored for their work at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.

While the first lady spoke, Noel cupped a hand behind his left ear and leaned forward, straining to hear her words. “He was thrilled at that,” Spisto said. “He thought it went beautifully.” Stating that he had been very moved by the honor, Noel confessed that he was so overwhelmed by the moment that he didn't even know what Bush said to him. “I can't for the life of me remember what he said,” he said with a laugh.

Seated not far from Gilbert Stuart's famous 1797 portrait of George Washington, Noel said he was particularly happy about being in the East Room of the White House, repeatedly calling it beautiful.

Seated only a few chairs away was another U.S. artist famed for his portraits, Andrew Wyeth.

Seated immediately on Noel's left was guitar pioneer Les Paul.

After the brief ceremony, Noel and the other honorees went to the Red Room for a private reception and then joined their families and guests for a brunch of quiche, salmon, coffee and desserts in the State Dining Room.

He and Spisto then walked through the other rooms on the main floor of the White House while being serenaded by six musicians from the U.S. Marine Band.

Spisto said, “We are tremendously proud of Craig and, of course, it reflects so well on all of San Diego and what Craig has done for the entire industry of theater across the country.”

Besides Noel, the Idaho jazz festival, Wyeth and Paul, the other 2007 winners of the National Medal of Arts were composer Morten Lauridsen, arts patron Roy R. Neuberger, arts patron Henry Steinway and painter George Tooker.

Honored with the National Humanities Medal at the ceremony were:

Scholars Stephen H. Balch, Ruth R. Wisse and Henry Leonard Snyder; authors Russell Freedman, Cynthia Ozick and Richard Pipes; military historian Victor Davis Hanson; curator Pauline L. Schultz; philanthropist Roger Hertog and the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, a group dedicated to the memory of those who saved art treasures during World War II.

In his brief remarks, Bush saluted the assembled winners. “On behalf of a grateful nation, we honor your great talent and accomplishments,” he said.