Sandburg alumni win awards
Brining and Dickerson are also Sandburg's nominees for the Illinois Community College Association's Distinguished Alumnus and Pacesetter awards. The ICCTA award winners will be announced at the organization's banquet June 6 in Normal.
2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Doug Brining '88
Dr. Doug Brining is a dedicated leader with exemplary accomplishments that have created a profound impact. He's given extensive time and dedication to the field of science and veterinary research while collaborating on the examination of the world's most infectious diseases. Brining has published 40 articles, served on more than 20 committees and has performed numerous exploratory surgical procedures.
In high school, Brining believed his counselor when told he wasn't college material. A first-generation college student, Brining enrolled at Sandburg as a chance to meet people, but he soon realized his passion for science. Brining found himself enrolling in all science classes offered by the biology instructor who gave inspiration to his studies.
Brining graduated from Sandburg with an Associate in Science in 1988. Though still not convinced he was college material, Brining's friends encouraged him to apply and continue at a four-year institution. Brining earned two bachelor's degrees and later his doctorate from Texas A&M University.
Brining now holds four employment titles with the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He serves as assistant vice president for research administration (animal programs), executive director of UTMB's Animal Resources Center, attending veterinarian and assistant professor of microbiology and immunology. In addition to his work at UTMB, Brining is a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
'It would be difficult for me to overstate the influence and importance that my time at Carl Sandburg College had on both my future academic and professional career,' Brining said. 'Over 35 years have passed since my time there, and I've often shared how much I benefited by attending community college. When I started my coursework there, I truly didn't have a specific end goal in mind and would have never imagined the journey this foundational decision would set in motion.'
'At Carl Sandburg College, I developed fundamental academic skills and discovered the joy of learning for the sake of interest,' he added. 'I clearly remember the quality of the professors and their dedication and enthusiasm about the subjects they taught. Their excitement and passion were genuinely contagious. It was there I developed an intense interest in biology and life sciences, which led me to a career in marine biology, veterinary medicine and academic research. I'll be forever thankful about my decision to attend and for the powerful influence that choice had on my life.'
2025 Pacesetter Award
Craig Dickerson '17
As someone who prioritizes goals and is dedicated to making them a reality, Craig Dickerson exemplifies what it means to be a pacesetter.
While a student at Sandburg, Dickerson worked as a supervisor at a local restaurant to assist with paying for college. He was also an NAACP member, participated in Relay for Life, volunteered for La Grace Hall of Hope, presented at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast and was active in Men of Distinction. After graduating from Sandburg in 2017 with an associate degree, Dickerson earned his bachelor's in sales and marketing from Illinois State University.
In 2019, Dickerson began work for Verizon as a retail specialist. Early in his career, he set the goal of joining Verizon's Learning and Development team. Dickerson was named to Verizon's Diamond Club in 2022 and recognized as a premier senior account manager the following year. Last September, Dickerson achieved his goal of becoming as a senior trainer with the company's Learning and Development team. In addition to working for Verizon, Dickerson has worked at Staples, ESPN3, Scope Health & Fitness and for the Peoria County government.
'I wouldn't be where I am or who I am today without the experiences I had during my time at Carl Sandburg College,' Dickerson said. 'Being born and raised in Galesburg, you sometimes aren't exposed to all the world has to offer or have the chance to interact with people who are vastly different from you. However, while attending Sandburg I was able to partner, befriend and be supported by individuals from places like Scotland, Brazil, Jamaica and multiple states, giving me the opportunity to see what life was like outside of a small town and all that I could do.
'Sandburg gave me the time to mature, grow and get to know myself in a way I didn't know possible, and for that, I will be forever grateful. I had the pleasure of taking dual credit classes while attending high school and being exposed to higher education at an early age. During this time, I knew I wasn't quite ready to leave home. Sandburg gave me a home for the next two years until I knew I was prepared and ready to take on my undergraduate degree at Illinois State University. After graduating from ISU in 2019, I've been successful in climbing the corporate ladder and moving across the country to Denver. I wouldn't have been able to accomplish all the things I have without the love and support Sandburg gave me.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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