07/05/2000

Statesboro, GA., Man Cited as Top Student in AU's College of Agriculture

AUBURN, Ala.—Ben Lee of Statesboro, Ga., has earned the prestigious Claude Hardee Memorial Award in Agriculture at Auburn University.

Lee, who received his bachelor of science degree in agricultural business and economics during spring commencement exercises at Auburn, was selected for the award based on his academic record, his character, his leadership skills, his high level of campus involvement and his strong interest in agriculture's future.

He was recognized as the 2000 award winner during a AU College of Agriculture breakfast prior to graduation and was presented a cash award and a commemorative plaque. In addition, his name has been included with the two previous Claude Hardee award winners on a plaque that is on display in AU's Comer Hall.

The Claude Hardee Memorial Award annually recognizes and honors the outstanding senior student in the College of Agriculture who excels in scholarship, leadership and character.

Claude Hardee, a native of Conecuh County, graduated from Auburn in 1938 with a degree in agricultural education and for 30 years taught vocational agriculture at Beatrice High School in Monroe County. During those three decades, he inspired many of his students to pursue educations and careers in agriculture.

Hardee devoted his life to the betterment of Alabama agriculture. As a cattle and timber farmer, he pioneered and perfected several environmental and conservation practices widely used today. His contributions to agriculture earned him places in both the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor and the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame.

The Hardee family and the Alabama Cattlemen's Association established the award.

During his senior year at Auburn, award recipient Lee was student president of AU's College of Agriculture, president of the Agricultural Economics Club, a member of the AU Ag Alumni Board of Directors, a Dean's Advisory Council member and an Ag Ambassador. He also was a member of the Agronomy Club, Alpha Zeta agricultural service and honor fraternity and Gamma Sigma Delta ag honor society.

After a summer as a sales intern for Dow AgroSciences, Lee plans to return to Auburn fall semester to work toward a master of business administration degree with an emphasis on agriculture. He intends to pursue a career in cotton marketing, with the eventual goal of returning to his family's farming operation, Boggy Branch Farm, Inc.

Lee is the son of Chuck and Lynn Lee.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu

07/05/00