The Parkland College Outstanding Staff Gold Award is presented each year to a staff member of 6 years or more who demonstrates excellence in college involvement, job performance, and attitude.
2025 Outstanding Staff Award - Gold Winner
Brian Walker
Brian’s custodial position with the Physical Plant here at Parkland College is a classic case of “not judging a book by its cover.” He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry with a minor in math at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1981. Upon graduating, he worked as a Food and Agricultural chemist and a Method Development chemist. He then matriculated at Meharry Medical College in 1985 in the MD program with an emphasis in Behavioral Sciences. In 1988, he was contracted for four years by Caterpillar as a Lab Engineer in Caterpillar’s Research Park outside of Peoria, Illinois. Brian again matriculated at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida in 1991 in the PhD/MD graduate school program. He moved back to Champaign (where he was raised) and accepted an eight-year position as a Quality Control and Raw Materials chemist at Combe Labs in Rantoul, Illinois where he first encountered desktop PCs as a part of the testing procedure for the company’s 27 EPA-regulated consumer products; it was during this tenure that Brian realized that he wanted to finish his career in Network Administration. From 2010–2012, Brian matriculated at Parkland College majoring and receiving his Associate’s degree in Network Administration. As a student, Brian worked part time for 21 months in the Physical Plant. Upon graduation in 2012, he was offered a full time position with excellent benefits and has been with Parkland College since that time.
In his off time, Brian enjoys being of service to needy Parkland students and the Champaign community by refurbishing and donating laptops , desktops, iPads, and telescopes to these students. Brian says that “at every step of my academic journey, there was always a mentor of sorts to lend a helping hand.”
Brian's nominators wrote, “Brian does excellent work, and he takes pride in that work. He goes above and beyond not only in his job duties but in every interaction with those around him. To say he is a diligent worker is an understatement. Brian is a wonderful man and a great friend to anyone he encounters. He radiates positivity and he is always willing to lend a hand.”