Sabri Dikman, from Nogales, AZ, named Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year

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Sabri Dikman, Courtesy of U.S. Border Patrol

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (10/17/2011)(readMedia)--  A U.S. Border Patrol Agent for 13 years, Sabri Dikman, '97 BS, has built his reputation on superior dedication, a strong work ethic and high integrity. He was named assistant patrol agent at the Nogales Border Patrol Station in 2010, and quickly became acting agent in charge of the Nogales Station, one of the busiest in the nation with almost 800 agents.

"I am truly honored to be named the 2011 recipient of the Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year award," says Dikman. "This honor brings the hard work of the men and women of the Border Patrol, especially those assigned to the Tucson Sector, and more specifically the Nogales Station, into the public light. I accept this award on their behalf and dedicate it to the agents that didn't get to go home at the end of their watch and made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation."

Dikman regularly works 12-hour days, but still finds time to devote valuable personal time to the Nogales community. He frequently meets with the Community Advisory Board to ensure the best possible relationship between the Border Patrol and the communities it proudly serves.

"Under his leadership the Nogales Station has reduced illicit cross border traffic by more than 50 percent," says R. Alan Booth, Dikman's co-worker who nominated him for the award. "This reduction is a feat no other Agent in Charge has been able to accomplish. The key to these reductions was that Sabri was able to acquire much needed additional resources, personnel, and key technology pieces. Through his leadership and vision, they were deployed in a manner that maximized efficiency and created an optimum enforcement posture"

Dikman says his studies at NAU prepared him for his career.

"NAU is more than an academic institution. I quickly found that NAU was a fantastic environment for academic achievement as well as developing life-long friendships. The staff and professors at NAU made my experience a memorable one," says Dikman. "The professors in the Social and Behavioral Sciences College where I studied criminal justice made the courses challenging and interesting. They challenged all of the students to think beyond the accepted theories of criminal and social behaviors by presenting abstract and opposing viewpoints. This provided us, the students, with an opportunity to look into problems and theories from opposing sides and apply the theories and principles that we found to be viable. My studies at Northern Arizona University truly prepared me for my career with the United States Border Patrol."

"One of the best things about being an NAU alumnus is the opportunity it presents to meet fellow alums. It never ceases to amaze me that nearly everywhere I have been I have run into a fellow NAU alumnus. No matter how far from home it is a great opportunity to make a new friend," says Dikman.

The NAU Alumni Association warmly congratulates Sabri Dikman with the Dr. Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.

"Sabri has truly gone above and beyond in terms of his dedication to protecting our border and his ongoing commitment to community involvement," says Neil Goodell, Director of NAU Alumni Relations.

Dikman will be presented the award during halftime at the NAU Homecoming football game, Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.

About the award:

DR. CLIFF HARKINS (class of 1932) Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award. Cliff was president of the Alumni Association in 1938. He was State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Arizona, as well as the Superintendent of Madison District in Phoenix during his 50-year career in education. He pioneered education advancement for the state of Arizona and won the Distinguished Citizen Award. Cliff died in 1992.

Award Description: This award recognizes distinguished service to nonprofit organizations; governmental assignments at the municipal, county, state or federal level; or other outstanding service as a citizen.