LAKELAND, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2006) — James Martinez-Ruiz, a nursing student at Florida Southern College, was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Korean War Veterans Association Winter Haven Chapter. The chapter recently established this award for nursing students who are military veterans or family members of veterans.

Martinez-Ruiz is a combat veteran of several conflicts, including Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and the Kosovo Conflict. In his 8 years of military service, he has earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

Martinez-Ruiz completed an associate of science degree in nursing in Puerto Rico in 1993 and currently works as a registered nurse in the operating room at Orlando Regional Healthcare – Winnie Palmer Hospital. An Orlando resident, he is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing at FSC and plans to return to the U.S. Armed Forces as a commissioned officer after graduation in 2008.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 13:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor’s institutions and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.