PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University alumnus Sam Cordes,
director of the University of Nebraska’s Center for Rural Community
Revitalization and Development in Lincoln, Neb., has received WSU’s first
Graduate Alumni Achievement Award.
Cordes earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from South
Dakota State University and his doctorate in agricultural economics at WSU in
1973. While at WSU, he served one year as executive director of Gov. Dan
Evans’ Task Force on Rural Affairs.
Cordes joined the Pennsylvania State University faculty in 1972. In 1985, he
was named professor of agricultural economics and head of the agricultural
economics department at the University of Wyoming. In 1989, he assumed the
same position at UN, and in 1991 was asked to direct the CRCRD.
Cordes has written or co-authored more than 140 publications, including
books, book chapters and refereed journal articles. He has organized more than
100 conferences/seminars/workshops and presented some 50 papers at
professional meetings.
He has worked as a consultant for several agencies within the U.S.
departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Cordes was the
1996 recipient of the Distinguished Researcher Award from the National Rural
Health Association.
Cordes receives his award Thursday, April 20, at the Graduate and
Professional Student Appreciation Week reception from 4-5:30 p.m. in Lighty
Student Services Building atrium.
The new award is co-sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association, the
Graduate and Professional Students Association and the Graduate School. It
will be given annually in the spring, and the recipient will be invited to the
campus to give a presentation and receive the honor as part of Graduate and
Professional Student Appreciation Week.
Gov. Gary Locke joined university officials in recognizing the state’s graduate
students with a proclamation. He recognized the 18,000 graduate and
professional students in the state university system as the state’s future
teachers, doctors, engineers, and business and community leaders.
“Graduate and professional students make substantial contributions to
economic growth, community and quality of life in Washington,” the governor
stated. “The students are integral to the advancement in a range of fields,
perform research that increases the world’s knowledge, present their research
at national and international conferences, and thereby enhance the reputation
of Washington universities.”
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