One more commencement to go for Barbara Breazeale

When Barbara Breazeale attended her son’s commencement ceremonies – for his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his master’s degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha – she stood, she applauded, she cried.

“I was just as proud as can be,” she remembered.

But did she also look around a little bit, maybe think about how she would have done ceremonies differently? Well, a little bit.

You can’t blame her. When she retires in January, following today’s UNMC winter commencement at the UNO Baxter Arena, Breazeale will have participated in or directly overseen roughly 175 commencement ceremonies at UNMC – five each spring, one per campus, and one more in Omaha every December for the past 29 years.

That’s a lot of ceremonies. But to Breazeale – who said she had to wheedle her son into attending his UNL commencement – each one was important.

“I began as a transcript clerk,” she remembered. “Jeannie Ferbrache hired me. She was my mentor. In the beginning, she organized the ceremonies, and I was the helper.

“When she left, I was her understudy, so it was a huge jump right into the fire. I remember receiving calls regarding the payment of bills, hiring musicians and so many other issues I had no idea existed. It was a huge learning curve. But I worked with a great team and together we got through the process.”

It also was a big responsibility.

“It’s usually the same script, but always a different cast, and it’s important to remember that,” she said. “Every year, new issues and situations arise, so things are never the same.

“But I do believe that the commencement ceremony is a core memory. It’s the end of the students’ time here and the beginning of their future. Over the years, we’ve had many students who choose not to attend the ceremony. And, as a mom, I would tell them: ‘Think of your parents, think of your family. They’re the ones who stood by you. They’ve supported you.’ And, speaking as a mom, there’s nothing that makes a parent more proud than to see their child walk across that stage at their commencement ceremony and receive their diploma. Many times, I do believe it may mean more to parents and family.”

Having the support from the deans and faculty also is a huge plus.

“Barb has made so many significant contributions to UNMC over her career, but when your name is synonymous with ‘commencement,’ I think it’s pretty clear what your legacy is,” said Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions. “The logistics of commencement are nearly unimaginable – script preparation, program development and publishing, honors medallions, getting everyone the right gown, getting the deans to stay in the right place in the processional line. OK, maybe just getting me to stay in the right place.

“Barb and her team conduct these myriad activities flawlessly and make each commencement such an important and memorable event for our graduates and their families.”

For Breazeale herself, it often all came down to the chancellor.

“At the end of each ceremony, I’m waiting there for the chancellor to walk out, because he’s either going to have comments where things didn’t go right, or he’s going to give you the thumbs-up and say, ‘Good job.’ For me, that’s probably the highlight of the day, when you get the thumbs-up from the chancellor and you know it went OK. Then you can exhale and plan to have a good night’s sleep.”

Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, former UNMC chancellor and current University of Nebraska System president, gives her two thumbs-up.

“Barbara Breazeale’s remarkable legacy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is defined by her unwavering commitment to our students and their families. Across nearly three decades, she has celebrated the achievements of thousands – while ensuring that each milestone moment is carried out with care, precision and heart,” Dr. Gold said. “Her dedication reflects the essence of what makes our university extraordinary. As she moves into retirement, we thank her for her invaluable contributions.”

UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, has taken part in commencements with Breazeale for more than a decade.

“It is difficult to envision a commencement ceremony without Barb,” Dr. Davies said. “Her unparalleled organizational skills, experience and unwavering dedication are only part of what make her so indispensable. What truly sets Barb apart is her genuine care for ensuring our students have the best and most memorable commencement possible. Over the years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping countless ceremonies that have left a lasting impression on our graduates and their families. We want to thank Barb for everything she has done for the university, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations as she embarks on this new chapter of her life.” 

Breazeale said she wishes the best for the person who take over her role.

“And always be proud of the part you play in their final memory of UNMC,” she advised.

“I’ve been doing it for so long,” she said. “I’m sure a person with new blood will be able to streamline and improve it a little bit, add modern technology.”

She is looking forward to the future, to spending more time with her three granddaughters and exploring other interests.

“What I like about commencement is, when it’s over, it’s over,” she said. “You either were successful or not, but there aren’t any ‘do-overs.’ You learn and make notes for the following year.  You have a beginning, you work your butt off during the whole process, and then it’s done. We’ve had a lot of things come unglued at the last minute, but somehow it all holds together.

“You know, I’ve always prided our ceremony on being a very professional-looking ceremony. Our students are going out in the world to cure, care and save people’s lives. So I’ve been a stickler for making sure the students and faculty are in their correct places and everything flows properly.

“When you get a smile and a ‘Thank you,’ it’s a good day.”