DATE:    12/17/96
CONTACT: Dr. Christopher M. Sieverdes, (864) 656-0196
WRITER:  Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Sieverdes Wins Distinguished Public Service Award

       CLEMSON -- Dr. Christopher M. Sieverdes, a Clemson
Extension community development specialist, has been awarded the
Alumni Award for Cooperative Extension Distinguished Public
Service. 
       Sieverdes, a Clemson University professor for 20 years,
is a member of the Department of Agricultural and Applied
Economics. He designed and directs the Palmetto Leadership
program which has trained over 1,400 community leaders in 26
counties of South Carolina. He was given the award at the Dec. 17
Clemson faculty meeting.
      "Dr. Sieverdes has conducted leadership programs for people
in rural areas throughout South Carolina. These programs have
provided opportunities for people in rural communities to develop
leadership skills to improve economic development," said Dr.
Daniel B. Smith, director, School of Applied Science and
Agribusiness.
      "Dr. Sieverdes is recognized nationally for his Extension
programs and his expertise in leadership programs. He has been
coordinator of Palmetto Leadership, a premier leadership program
in South Carolina, and he is richly deserving of the Alumni
Public Service Award," Smith said.   
      "Palmetto Leadership provides human capacity building and 
enables a group to become a community. The program focuses on
leadership skills, training, consensus building, and strategic
planning for economic development at the community and county
levels," Sieverdes said.
      Palmetto Leadership graduates have been appointed or
elected to local commissions, councils, and boards. Graduates'
task forces have resurrected chambers of commerce, passed school
construction bonds, and made grant proposals for parent
involvement in school programs and economic development planning
for industrial sites.
     "Dr. Sieverdes has exhibited an exceptional ability and
willingness to cooperate in identifying needs in rural areas and
aiding communities in economic development," said Frank
Garcia, executive director of the S.C. Rural Economic
Development Council.
     "This training has empowered community leaders to
participate in programs to improve community and economic
development," said Cleve Thomas, director of the Office of Small
and Minority Business in the Governor's Office.
      In the field of leadership education, Sieverdes has both a
national and international reputation. Nationally, he is
treasurer of the Association of Leadership Educators. He has
worked internationally through the Community Development Society. 
      Recently the U.S. Department of Agriculture asked Sieverdes
to serve on the Communities in Economic Transition design team
and the Leadership and Volunteer Development design team. He also
serves as chairman of the Southern Region Extension State
Community Development Program Leaders for 1996-97.
     Other agencies Sieverdes has worked with include the U.S.
Forestry Service, the President's National Service Program
(AmeriCorps), and the S.C. Department of Commerce.
                             END