The Humanities Council for South Carolina announced Thursday the recipients for its 2003 Governor's Award for the Humanities. Sara L. Sanders and Stephen J. Nagle, both professors at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, and The York County Culture and Heritage Commission will receive the annual award.

The winners, which were drawn from community nominations, were cited for "significant contributions to the cultural life of South Carolina" and for creating a "greater public understanding and appreciation of the humanities."

Nagle and Sanders have collaborated in academic work on second-language learning and Southern English studies.

The York County Culture and Heritage Commission describes its mission as creating an "enlightened and engaged citizenry by keeping and communicating the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the Carolina Piedmont."

Thirty-one awards have been conferred since 1991. Former winners include writer Pat Conroy and former Rep. Harriet Keyserling of Beaufort.

The awards will be presented in a ceremony Sept. 25 at the South Carolina Archives and History Center.