Chancellor James Schmidt congratulated Dickerson and offered his heartfelt gratitude for the many years of “outstanding, dedicated, transformative service to the students of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 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 taken part, completing eight international tours to 21 countries on five continents. The band soon will add four more countries to the list with a January 2025 international tour.
Guy Dee, the official announcing voice of the BMB for 21 years, says it’s hard to express the impact of Dickerson’s passion and leadership.
“We thank Randy for creating this little corner of the universe for so many remarkable people to come together and make beautiful things,” Dee says.
“The Blugold Marching Band goes so far beyond playing music or doing marching drills — it's a place where thousands of people have gathered to collaborate for no other reason than the enrichment of their own lives and the lives of others.”
In addition to his accomplishments with the marching band, Dickerson is a professor of music who has taught courses in instrumental music education and marching band procedures, and for decades has supervised student teachers in the music education program.