The Ray Beaumont Memorial Award is given annually to the most deserving fourth or fifth year graduate student. The recipient is determined by secret ballot with all current graduate students, faculty, and staff entitled to one vote.

The criteria are given below. The winner will have his or her name inscribed on a memorial plaque and will receive a cash prize at the department's spring party in May.

Ray Beaumont entered the Ph.D. program in economics at U.C. Davis in 1982. He received his doctorate in September of 1988. Tragically he was diagnosed as having cancer soon after graduation. He passed away on October 25, 1988. Ray was a gifted student and scholar. His academic record was among the most distinguished in the history of the department. Ray was an accomplished econometrician and was selected to be the teaching assistant for two different graduate courses. Ray was also a leader in integrating the economics students into the department. He found the time to be the economics representative to the Graduate Student Association for two years. He captained countless intramural teams in many different sports and sponsored numerous social gatherings. In short, Ray was much more than just a valued colleague, he was a friend; someone who made the department of economics a better place. The recipient of this memorial award should be someone who reflects these characteristics. Someone who cannot be defined by just one accomplishment or one area of expertise. Someone whom everybody is better off just for knowing.

Sparber 2006	Sansani 2008	Sanders 2009