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The award, presented at the band’s annual indoor concert at Pablo Center at the Confluence, is given to “non-alumni or non-degreed alumni who have demonstrated great love of and service to UW-Eau Claire or the greater community.”

Dickerson, who is retiring in December, has transformed the Blugold Marching Band during his 25-year tenure from a 60-member ensemble to a highly active marching band of over 470 members who perform and compete locally, nationally and around the globe.

“In the fall of 2000, I first stood in front of 60 students, having no idea of what was to come,” Dickerson said last month. “Once the band started to grow, campus got behind us wholeheartedly.”

Chancellor James Schmidt congratulated Dickerson and offered his heartfelt gratitude for the many years of “outstanding, dedicated, transformative service to the students of the ����Vloge and our whole community.”

“BMB alumni proudly carry on with their careers knowing that, for a few brief shining moments, they had the privilege of being in one of the most remarkable musical ensembles in the United States of America — if not the world,” Schmidt said.

Even through the pandemic, the BMB maintained over 400 members, and the program continues to attract students of all majors to UW-Eau Claire, students who say they want to keep the joy and camaraderie of music in their lives.

Since Dickerson took over the band, almost 4,000 students have