Beryl Brubaker: first female to lead EMU

Photo by Josiah Garber

After 33 years of service, Beryl Brubaker has finally made it to the top--if only for a bit.

In 1970, a young woman stepped onto EMU’s campus as a faculty member in the nursing department, with no intentions of remaining on staff for any significant amount of time. Larger and better-known public universities were calling her name, and she was determined to answer.

However, 33 years later, that same woman has still not managed to tear herself away from this school and institution that she loves so much. Dr. Beryl Brubaker, former provost and graduate dean, is currently interim president until Dr. Loren Swartzendruber commences his term on Jan. 1, 2004. To try and explain this “extended stay” at EMU, Brubaker simply smiled and said, “There was always a new challenge...I never got bored.”

She has certinly been anything but bored thus far this semester with all the duties that come with being president. “I think it’s a special privelege,” she said. “It’s also a very heavy responsiblity.” But serving EMU for 33 years has equipped Brubaker for theat heavy responsibility. She said, “I’ve been here long enough to do just about anything,” and the positions of graduate dean and grant writer have especially prepared her for the new role of interim president.

No matter how much previous experience on might hav, however, everyone needs support and encouragement. Brubaker said that in this job she “feels that support more than ever now ... I know people are praying for me because they tell me so.” But the caring faculty, staff, and students are not the only ones contributing to her success in carrying out her job description.

Brubaker is quick to give credit where credit is due. “I attribute effectiveness to God. Whatever gifts, talents, or competencies I have are God-given,” she said. To develop tehse gifts and talents, she feels individuals should use God’s guidance to make everyday decisions. “Make good choices,” she advised. “Make good choices now because they will make a difference in the choices available in the future.”

One of Brubaker’s own academic choices was to pursue an education in nursing. After receiving her B.S. at Case Western University, she also earned her M.S at the University of Pennyslvania and her D.S.N. at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Utilizing these three degrees, she discovered a line of work that completely caputred her heart. “My real love in nursing was for old people and those with chronic problem,” she said. This category is one which many people simple ignore altogether. “A lot of times we just put people in a corner,” she said, when we can truly help them “connect to reality” by personal communication and extra loving attention.

In addition to the elderly, Brubaker also holds a passion for music. EMU’s Bach Festival, coordinated by Ken Nafziger, is one of her favorite non-academic programs. She also thoroughly enjoys Julia White’s Shenandoah Children’s Choir. Brubaker herself is an avid singer and is always moved by the awe-inspiring choir of EMU’s faculty, students, and staff when they join together in song.

Although Brubaker only holds the position of president for one semester, she sees the short period as a win-win situation. She gets to enjoy “paving the way for Loren, and making [EMU] a better place for his arrival.” She is all anticipation for Loren’s transition to EMU. SHe confidently said, “I’m very convinced we’ve chosen the right person.”