N.C. Gen. Stat. § 140A-5: Selection of recipients for awards.

The recipients of the awards shall be chosen by a committee named by the North Carolina Awards Committee, for each category of achievement, but no award shall be made in any field unless the committee of awards deems the recognized accomplishment to be outstanding in merit, value, and distinction. (1961, c. 1143, s. 5; 1973, c. 476, s. 73.)