Jeanne Ferbrache, the October recipient of the Gold U, called the honor “humbling.”
Ferbrache, who currently is the director of institutional research in charge of reporting campus information to various federal, state and outside agencies, joined UNMC in 1980 as a staffer in the registrar’s office. She said she wasn’t planning to stay for 37 years when she started.
But the campus, and the opportunities it offered, grew on her.
“I was able to advance my career through promotions and was also able to get my master’s degree,” she said.
Ferbrache said she has found working at an educational institution “keeps you on your toes.”
“Not only are you surrounded by students, especially, but faculty and staff, who are all very bright — and I think there’s a higher expectation, too, to do well,” she said.
In the course of her career, Ferbrache has gone from typing up student registrations to assisting in the creation of the post-doctoral office of education to coordinating the Summer Undergraduate Research Program to taking the lead in the campus implementation of the PeopleSoft student records system.
Through it all, Ferbrache’s drive to excel — which she credits to her mother, who “always expected quality before quality was a buzzword” — hasn’t gone unnoticed in the course of her UNMC career.
Dele Davies, M.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, called Ferbrache an exceptional employee whose skill at customer service works well as she responds to the various surveys and other requests for information she handles as part of her duties.
“She is always excellent in responding within the expected deadlines,” he said. “Furthermore, she receives a lot of internal requests from administrators, grant writers and faculty, and she always bends over backwards to honor the requests.”
In nominating Ferbrache for the award, Terri Vadovski called her a shining example of professionalism in a challenging job.
“She always pursues excellence in a professional manner,” said Vadovski, the director of graduate administration services in the graduate studies department. “She has superb customer service, is a great communicator, respects you as a person and what you do at UNMC, and she will assist you with your requests for information in a very timely manner.”
And that is just the tip of the iceberg!
Goal oriented, intelligent, sense of humor and good Midwest values
Teresa Danos
I really enjoyed reading about your successes, Jeanne. You're the very best and always have been!
Congratulations Jeanne, on this wonderful Gold U recognition and your commitment to UNMC!
Congratulations Jeanne! You deserve it!
Congratulations Jeanne well deserved!
Congratulations Jeanne! Your always so great to work with!
Congratulations Jeanne, you truly deserve this recognition.
Congratulations Jeanne!
Kudos Jeanne. Thanks for all you do!
Congratulations, Jeanne. I remember our times together dealing with student affairs in the College of Pharmacy. Best wishes for the future.
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Congratulations Jeanne!
Congratulations Jeanne! Quality is truly the word that describes everything you do. Always a pleasure working with you.
Congratulations, Jeanne. I know very well how much you do for UNMC and how professionally you conduct all of your responsibilities. You certainly took a load from my shoulders when I was in Academic Affairs!! All the best in the future!!
Congratulations Jeanne time really fly I remember meeting in Conkling Hall Always been a pleasure knowing you Ronnie Powell
Congratulations, Jeanne. A much deserved honor and recognition for all that you do/done for UNMC.
Congratulations Jeanne. A well deserved recognition. You always provide quality work and do so with an attitude of collaboration.