Thomas College alumnus’s leadership journey brought him around the world and straight to the top MacKenzie Riley Young | October 26, 2021

Dwaine Drummond M.S. ’02 grew up like any regular Maine kid. He was hard working, enjoyed being outside, and he loved to be active. As a high school standout in baseball, it felt like a natural progression for him to head to the University of Maine to play baseball…and boy did he ever. He excelled for a year on one of the famous UMaine 1980’s college world series teams and was poised to take on an even larger role with the club, until he suffered an injury that sidelined his career and made him reevaluate his future goals. 

While he was at home rehabbing his injury he did some soul searching – which led him to a spontaneous US Army enlistment. Within weeks of that decision, he was a standout in basic training and just a quick six years later… a senior enlisted soldier, a confident leader and he had earned an undergraduate degree in his spare time from UMaine. As soon as he received his bachelor’s degree Dwaine was selected for Officer Candidate School and became a commissioned officer in the Maine National Guard. As the years progressed Dwaine spent time on deployments serving in both war zones and allied countries alike, rubbing shoulders with world leaders that most of us only see on television. He was continually recognized for his exceptional leadership and service, and he also he received his master’s degree from Thomas College after participating in the master’s degree night school option.

When he received his degree from Thomas, Dwaine’s career really took off. More opportunities came his way, more leadership roles and responsibilities, more overseas assignments, and more promotions up through the chain of command…until ultimately, he was selected for the rank of Brigadier General. 

Dwaine earned himself a reputation as a no nonsense, fair, and genuine leader who could get the job done…in any theatre, climate, or circumstances. Dwaine said that all the aforementioned characteristics helped him to succeed in the Army, but he also credits his time here at Thomas: “Receiving my master’s degree from Thomas College was a big moment…I never would have been selected for General without it.”