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Clarkson University Grayden Shand Receives Levinus Clarkson Award

Potsdam, NY (05/12/2018) — Graduating senior Grayden Shand of Jericho, Vt., received the Levinus Clarkson Award during Clarkson University's spring 2018 commencement ceremony on May 12. He was selected for the $1,000 award by a vote of the full University faculty based on his scholarship and promise of outstanding achievement.

The Levinus Clarkson Award was established by University founders Elizabeth and Frederica Clarkson in memory of their brother, Levinus, and was first awarded in 1909. This award and the Frederica Clarkson Award are traditionally given to the two top students in the graduating class.

Shand earned a bachelor of science degree in innovation and entrepreneurship with minors in philosophy and project management. He was a presidential scholar for all eight semesters with a GPA of 3.99.

Shand first came to Clarkson in 2014 through the Clarkson School early college program. During his freshman year, he received his first exposure to entrepreneurship through a startup business, FourScore Apparel. In the spring of 2015, the FourScore team took first place in the products and services category at the NYS Business Plan Competition.

He secured three internships in the field of marketing with Fuse Marketing, the Vermont Fresh Network, and Veritas Prime.

With Associate Professor of Economics & Financial Studies Bebonchu Atems of the David D. Reh School of Business, Shand researched the empirical relationship between entrepreneurship and income inequality in his junior and senior years. This research ultimately culminated in publication in the Journal of Small Business Economics in January.

In addition to serving Clarkson's Ski and Snowboard Club for three consecutive years as media coordinator, treasurer, and president, Shand served entrepreneurs in the community through his work with the Shipley Center for Innovation starting in 2016. His contribution to the Clarkson community was recognized this spring with a Phalanx Commendable Service Award.

Shand plans to continue his education at Clarkson in the fall through its Master of Science in Data Analytics program.

Clarkson University educates the leaders of the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as an owner, CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. With its main campus located in Potsdam, N.Y., and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, New York, Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through more than 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, education, sciences and the health professions, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations, and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo and connect discovery and innovation with enterprise.

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Clarkson University President Tony Collins (left) presents the Levinus Clarkson Award to Grayden Shand.

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