Hammond Awarded Gold Medal

Hammond Awarded Gold Medal

BY DAVID KAPLAN
Rice News Staff
May 7, 1998

The Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Award recognizes Rice community members
who have rendered extraordinary service and dedication to academic excellence.
Such a person is Shepherd School of Music Dean Michael Hammond.

Says Rice president Malcolm Gillis: "While many people are responsible
for the rise of the Shepherd School to national and international prominence,
the absolutely essential, irreplaceable ingredient in that rise was the talent,
vision and dedication of Michael Hammond. Beyond that, Michael’s indomitable
intellectual honesty has served all of Rice since the day he arrived."

Hammond’s talent and intellectual depth and range are astounding. As a Rhodes
Scholar at Oxford he studied philosophy, psychology, physiology and pre-clinical
medicine. He studied Indian philosophy and music at Delhi University. A conductor
and composer, he is also the former president of the State University of New
York, College at Purchase.

In his 12 years at the Shepherd School, Hammond has enhanced the curriculum
in a multitude of ways, brought in world-class faculty and was the driving force
for the creation of Alice Pratt Brown Hall.

Michael Carroll, dean of the School of Engineering, believes his friend Hammond
"would define ‘class act.’ What he’s done at the Shepherd School is truly
remarkable, and as a person he is a role model example of courage, integrity
and intellect. He’s also a gifted musician, wonderful leader, and is constantly
surprising you." For example, Carroll says, "you find out he played
quarterback in college."

Says Associate Professor of Conducting Larry Rachleff: "He is the soul
of the Shepherd School and one of the world’s most intelligent, insightful and
spiritual men. He is our leader and our friend, and he leads by example. I can’t
imagine a mortal with a more generous and genuine spirit than he."