Christina Marie May, of Pinehurst, has been named the winner of the 2011 Academic Excellence Award at Sandhills Community College.

May has a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) in the associate degree nursing program at Sandhills.

"My profound desire to care for others was the catalyst that motivated my decision to pursue a career in nursing," May said. "I looked toward Sandhills Community College as the way to help me realize this goal. Obtaining an education that was in close proximity to my home was absolutely essential."

She credits her positive experience to the people at the college and those in her personal life who have made a tremendous impact.

"I am humbled by the instructors' dedication," she said. "They obviously have a true passion for teaching and employ all means possible to help their students succeed. My education has been both rewarding and challenging as I truly feel I am receiving an expansive and relevant knowledge base.

"I am grateful for an extremely supportive family that understands that learning is a lifelong task and that dedication and perseverance are essential to that process. It is uplifting that the students are likewise supportive of one another, adding to the camaraderie and positive atmosphere.

"Sandhills has afforded me the opportunity to pursue my goals in an environment that promotes the advancement of education through highly effective teaching with administrative support. I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend such a wonderful institution, which is dedicated to helping all students realize all their hopes and dreams," she enthused.

At Sandhills Community College, students who have a 4.0 GPA and more than 50 hours completed toward their degree are reviewed and considered eligible for the N.C. Community College System's Academic Excellence Award. >

Each faculty member can vote and write a statement of support for a candidate. The list is then narrowed to the finalists with strong faculty support. The Academic Excellence Award recipient is then selected in a final round of faculty votes.

"A significant faculty vote combined with her extensive hours in the university transfer area as well made Ms. May the obvious choice for this year's award," said Ron Layne, dean of instruction. "Her long-term goal to use her nursing career as an arena to develop medical product lines to further serve patients is truly inspiring."

May >will be recognized at the 2011 Excellence Event, "The Great Within the 58" on April 14. A reception will be held at the Governor's Executive Mansion that morning, followed by an awards luncheon >at the Jane S. McKimmon Conference and Training Center on campus of N.C. State University.

The academic achievements of 58 students and the dedicated work of community college faculty and staff will be recognized, plus the community college President of the Year will be announced.