Hammond announces recipients of 2017 Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Awards

2017 Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Award Recipients

Each year, representatives of Hammond’s Alumni Council select recipients of the Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Awards. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Hammond alums, who over time have achieved excellence in their field of endeavor, demonstrated exceptional loyalty or service in their personal or professional lives, and in doing so, have served as excellent role models for all Hammond alumni, students and future generations of graduates. The Young Alumni Award was established in 2016 to recognize a young alum whose achievements positively reflect Hammond School. Criteria for the award include being 40 years or younger, making an impact on their industry and having professional accomplishments. Leaders in their profession and community, the Young Alumni Award recipient should possess an unmistakable tradition of achievement and truly be making a difference.

Dana Beach and Nicki Priester

2017 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Dana Beach (Class of 1973)

The 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award is Dana Beach from the Class of 1973. A magna cum laude graduate from Davidson, Dana earned his MBA from Wharton and founded the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, recognized as one of the most successful state-level conservation groups in the country working to develop policies that promote sustainable patterns of development for people and the environment.

2017 Young Alumni Award Recipient, Nicki Priester (Class of 2008)

The 2017 recipient of the Young Alumni Award is Nicki Priester from the Class of 2008. Nicki is a 2012 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Political Science. Nicki currently works for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association of SC and previously worked for SC Governor Nikki Haley as her only scheduler during some of the major events impacting our state such as the mass shooting at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston and the historic flood of 2015. Her civil service was recognized in a major way earlier this year as she received the Order of the Palmetto, our state’s highest civilian honor. She is also involved in the community volunteering her time with the Junior League of Columbia and Kappa Delta Sorority.