Dr. and Mrs. Leigh Hammond, Ms. Cynthia Hammond

Dr. Leigh Hammond and the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association established this award to honor Dr. Hammond who served as the Association’s Executive Director for 13 _ years and who is one of NC State’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics’ most distinguished alumni. Dr. Hammond received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Clemson University, his master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Statistics from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and his Ph.D. in Economics from NC State. He served in the US Army in Korea and then began a distinguished career in academia and public service including the position of associate professor of economics and later, assistant vice chancellor for extension and public service and director of the Center for Urban Affairs. He was seated on numerous high-level committees and councils, and was NC Governor Robert Scott’s policy analyst and advisor.