2022 Outstanding Alumni Awards
The Hammond Alumni Council annually presents the Distinguished Alumni Award and The Young Alumni Award in recognition of outstanding alumni. Hammond alums have an incredible tradition of achievement, service and integrity. These awards are our way of recognizing those achievements. Three individuals were recognized during halftime of the 2022 Homecoming Game for their professional excellence and demonstrated loyalty.
Nate Reynolds '99 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Young Alumni Awards were presented to Margaret Clay '06 and Austin Hood '08.
Nate Reynolds '99 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Young Alumni Awards were presented to Margaret Clay '06 and Austin Hood '08.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a Hammond alum who, over time, has achieved excellence in their field of endeavor and demonstrated exceptional loyalty or service in their personal or professional life. In doing so, the nominee has also served as an excellent role model for Hammond alumni, students and future generations of graduates.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a Hammond alum who, over time, has achieved excellence in their field of endeavor and demonstrated exceptional loyalty or service in their personal or professional life. In doing so, the nominee has also served as an excellent role model for Hammond alumni, students and future generations of graduates.
Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni Award recognizes 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. A leader in their profession and community, the recipient should possess an unmistakable tradition of achievement and truly be making a difference.
NATE REYNOLDS '99 - Distinguished Alumni Award
After graduating from Hammond in 1999, Nate Reynolds earned his MA in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He received the Christian A. Herter Award for highest academic achievement in his graduating class. He earned his BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after receiving the Morehead-Cain scholarship. Nate Reynolds is currently the senior analyst for Russia at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR). From 2012-2015 he served as the deputy national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council. Reynolds’ work has earned him several U.S. Department of State awards, including INR’s prestigious Analyst of the Year in 2017. He was also a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2018-2019.
MARGARET CLAY '06 - Young Alumni Award
A 2006 graduate of Hammond, Margaret Clay is now the Editor and Associate Publisher at Columbia Metropolitan Magazine. After Hammond, Margaret graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wake Forest University with a major in English and a minor in Spanish. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Hammond as well as the Central Carolina Community Foundation, and she volunteers on the Junior Achievement Young Professional Auxiliary and the United Way Communications Committee. Margaret also has an art business where she paints watercolor portraits. She is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys reading, horseback riding, and playing tennis and basketball.
AUSTIN HOOD '08 - Young Alumni Award
AUSTIN HOOD '08 - Young Alumni Award
Austin Hood graduated from Hammond in 2008 and is married to alumna, Nicki Hood. He furthered his education at the Citadel and majored in Political Science and National Defense Policy in 2012. Austin then received his J.D. from USC School of Law in 2016. Austin has been with Hood Construction for over 15 years and now works with the team as a Project Manager. Outside of work, Austin coaches the Hammond School Wrestling Team, was named 2019 SCISA Wrestling Coach of the Year, and is an active member of the WCA and the current Head of the SCISA Wrestling Coaches Association. Along with their two children, Austin and his wife, Nicki, are active members of Shandon Baptist Church.
