Baden Brumbaugh of Bellevue, Nebraska, knew he wanted to become a veterinarian at a young age, but severe animal allergies derailed his plans. As the economics major prepares to graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in May, he recalls when he decided to make his dream career happen.

“I thought allergies were detrimental to any medical aspiration,” he said. “My mom developed a latex allergy when she had my sister, and that ended her dental career, so it seemed impossible.”

That all changed in his sophomore year when Brumbaugh overheard a conversation in the Nebraska Business Honors Academy lounge at the College of Business.

“Someone mentioned they got shots to deal with their cat allergy, and it worked great. At the time, I didn’t even know that was an option,” he said.

Within days, he went to see a doctor and started allergy treatment. Then he met with Wendy O’Connor, academic advisor in animal sciences at the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, to map out a path to veterinary school.

“She spent two hours helping me come up with a plan that still allowed me to graduate in four years. She recommended against it, but said it was possible if I was fully committed,” he said. “It was tough, but I was determined.”

Brumbaugh added a pre-veterinary medicine focus to his economics major and pursued a minor in Clifton Builders management. Starting “at square-one in the sciences,” he took 18-19 credit hours per semester, plus 13 credits each summer. This included the Nebraska at Oxford study abroad program in England, which accelerated his economics studies.

“I also needed 300 hours working with animals to apply for veterinary school, so I worked at Porter Ridge Veterinary Clinic as a veterinary assistant in Ashland in the mornings. I left by 11:45 a.m. and drove to my 12:30 physics lab. It was chaotic, but I like to stay busy,” he said.

While juggling work, his pre-vet courses, and the fixed curriculum of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy, he endured a series of severe allergic reactions. He often wore long sleeves to hide hives and rashes.

“People told me there was no shame in giving up, but I knew what I wanted and stuck with it,” Brumbaugh said. “Eventually, my reactions became less severe with simple prescriptions and a monthly allergy shot kept my allergies manageable. It made my dream possible.”

Meanwhile, his work as a veterinary assistant not only confirmed his love for the career but also demonstrated how his business background could be beneficial to the profession.

“Many veterinarians start without any background running a business,” he said. “I realized my business experience and economics degree could help streamline some veterinary practices so the vets can make medicine their priority.”

Despite a demanding schedule, Brumbaugh helped re-establish the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity after 50 years and served as a resident assistant with University Housing. Selected for the donor-funded Inclusive Business Leaders program at the College of Business as a freshman, he later served as a mentor to help first-year IBL students explore leadership in a diverse workforce. His dedication did not go unnoticed, as his peers voted him IBL Mentor of the Year last spring.

“Baden is a fantastic example of a student driving himself to success while supporting his peers and the UNL community,” said Rose Hull, associate director of the Teaching and Learning Center, who oversees the IBL program. “Despite extreme personal challenges, he never dropped the ball on his academic pursuits and continued to challenge himself to the highest level.”

In the fall, he applied to veterinary school, just meeting the 300-hour minimum requirement for clinical experience. His hard work paid off when he was accepted into the UNL-Iowa State University Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine, which allows Nebraska residents to complete their first two years in Lincoln before transferring to Iowa State for clinical training.

“This program is an amazing opportunity,” said Brumbaugh, who begins in August. “It ensures Nebraska students have access to veterinary education at in-state tuition rates.”

He said his undergraduate education prepared him well for veterinary school, crediting faculty for offering challenging courses and providing support.

“Baden was open to being challenged in class and asked questions that reflected real thought about what we were learning. His willingness to think, and think outside the box, is how a business student decides to become a veterinarian,” said Sam Allgood, faculty director of the Teaching and Learning Center and Edwin J. Faulkner Professor of Economics. “I would be confident with Baden as my dog Groot’s vet.”

Reflecting on his time at Nebraska, Brumbaugh takes great pride in never accepting a barrier. He also credits the university community for supporting him.

“Everyone here genuinely wants each other to succeed,” he said. “That’s what makes Nebraska special.”