A Montgomery County Community College student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran has been named the recipient of the 2023-2024 Terry O’Banion Student Technology Award by The League for Innovation in the Community College. 

Computer Networking and Cybersecurity major Drew Dearden is designated as the award’s Student Technology Champion.

The national award honors deserving students who demonstrate special talent in technology, passion about moving toward a career in technology, academic excellence and strong financial need, according to its website.

For Dearden, the award felt a little overwhelming.

“I’m not someone who’s done well with academics before,” said Dearden, 29, of Springfield. “I’ve never received awards for academics. It’s a tremendous honor.”

The Student Technology Champion award is presented to a student with a career interest in a technology field other than software development (e.g., hardware engineering, network administration, cybersecurity).

Dearden will receive a $1,000 scholarship for educational expenses (e.g., tuition, fees) and a commemorative plaque for the achievement.

The 2012 Springfield Township High School graduate said it’s been a long road to get to this moment with many hurdles in the way, but he’s proud of all he’s been able to accomplish to this point.

Dearden struggled academically in high school but worked hard his senior year to get close to straight A’s. He was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and studied kinesiology there for a year but grappled with being far from home and his grades suffered as a result.

Leaving school, in April 2014, he joined the Marine infantry. Adjusting back to civilian life was difficult, he said.

“It was challenging coming back and trying to get my life back in order from the regimented lifestyle of the Marines,” he said.

Dearden also struggled with the loss of his mother and the impact of losing many of his fellow veteran friends to suicide.

Before enrolling at MCCC in fall 2022, Dearden worked a series of jobs, which ultimately gave him the final push he needed to decide to go back to school and pursue a degree.

“Montco was the best choice for me at the time,” he said.

“Once I got the hang of the first semester, it was easier the next time around. Then I took two courses over the summer and started working part-time at the MCCC IT Support Services Help Desk. The two courses in the summer were more manageable and this past semester the courses were a breeze.”

Dearden has made the Dean’s List each semester, with a current 3.85 GPA, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year college students.

He landed the job at the Help Desk after an old friend and classmate, Ray Becker, who Dearden knew from a previous job, suggested he apply.

Dearden said he’s scheduled to graduate at the end of the spring semester and has plans to transfer to the University of Scranton to continue his education to pursue a career in cybercrime and homeland security.

“I count myself as fortunate to have Drew as part of my team,” said Sweeney. “I am so very proud of Drew and happy that others have recognized the same qualities in Drew that I observe every day at the Service Desk. He will be truly missed when he graduates in May.”

Dearden thanked his colleagues in the IT Department and said none of this was possible without their support and guidance.

Read more about the student and former Marine on Montgomery County Community College’s website.

Montgomery County Community College