Erin Pruitt of Lawndale is the 2015 Academic Excellence Award winner at Cleveland Community College. Pruitt is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography and holds a 3.85 grade point average.

In nominating Pruitt for the award, Alease Rousseau, discipline coordinator for the Radiography Program, wrote, “Erin is an outstanding student. She demonstrates genuine empathy and compassion toward her patients; she works well with others and is a team player or team leader as needed.”

Pruitt, a single parent of two children, began her college career when her son was very young. When he was diagnosed with special needs, she decided to leave school. “I was working full time, and I felt I couldn’t spend that much time away from him. Now that he is about to graduate from high school and is pretty self-sufficient, I decided it was my turn.”

After graduation, Pruitt plans to seek full-time employment in a hospital or an outpatient clinic. In addition to her academic and family commitments, Pruitt is active in her church, and works as a Radiology Technologist Assistant at Kings Mountain Hospital.

Each year, one student is chosen at each of the state’s 58 community colleges to receive the prestigious Academic Excellence Award. The winners are selected for their academic accomplishments and leadership ability