Shirley Bruegman’s journey began in the heartland of Nebraska, where vast fields stretched across low rolling hills. Little did she know that her humble beginnings on a farm would lay the foundation for a remarkable story of dedication to education, passion for the arts, and a commitment to making a difference.
From the Farm to the Halls of Learning
Bruegman’s story started about five miles down a gravel road outside Norfolk in northeast Nebraska.
“A typical day would have been pulling weeds from the corn fields, feeding a variety of animals, and my primary chore each day was cleaning the eggs on which the hens had pooped,” said Bruegman.
Her elementary education was spent in a small one-room school with a single teacher for all eight grades.
“Much later, I realized we were actually doing a well-known theory called ‘peer instruction,’” she said. “I was required to pass the United States Constitution test, which qualified me to enter high school.”
In high school, Bruegman took a shorthand course and found something she excelled at. That skill would serve her well throughout her life, first in winning shorthand competitions and later by taking excellent notes as a college student.
“I went through dozens of spiral-bound notebooks and won several championships. The hunger to succeed and be named a winner was planted that semester. Setting the bar high became my life’s mantra,” said Bruegman in a 2015 Fresno Bee “Valley Voices” piece.
Growing up, she was told that her career choices were limited between being a secretary, a nurse, or a school teacher. But Bruegman found a different path. She worked as a secretary to help pay her tuition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, becoming the first female from her high school to venture beyond and attend college.
While at the University of Nebraska, Bruegman met a “cute guy” named Don, whom she later married. They had a son and daughter, both graduates of Fresno State, and two granddaughters. Her daughter is currently faculty at the Craig School of Business.
Receiving her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska, Bruegman got her Masters in Education and a Doctorate in Education from Fresno State. While at Fresno State, she credits Dr. Robert Monke, who was the Kremen graduate advisor at the time, and his assistant Georgette Mello, who both encouraged her to finish her final courses for her master’s degree.
With a love for teaching, Bruegman became the first female in administration at State Center Community College, serving as the Dean of the Business Division, a role she embraced with pride. She became the Vice President of Instruction at Fresno City College (FCC) and Reedley College and, ultimately, the Vice Chancellor of the State Center Community College District (SCCCD). While in these leadership positions, Bruegman said she was always on the lookout for the next generation of female leaders and did what she could to support them.
A Journey into the Arts
“Whatever happens in arts and humanities stays with you your whole life,” said Bruegman. “It provides, I think, the foundation for what else you go to. It’s an integral part of your total college experience.”
A heightened interest in the Arts and Humanities came during her tenure as vice president of instruction at FCC and Reedley College. Finding joy in the company of English and Arts teachers, she explored her creativity. Enrolling in a Summer Arts writing class, Bruegman faced the challenge head-on, discovering the joy of peering into her “inner self.”
“Writing is painting pictures with one’s words,” said Bruegman. “I will never forget my first class session on the Fresno State campus as sponsored by the Summer Arts Program. I arrived early, thinking I could find a seat in the back row where I would be invisible. The professor entered, walked slowly to the whiteboard and wrote, ‘Fear is what stops us—not the lack of talent.’”
To enhance her artistic skills further, Bruegman delved into painting classes through extended education. Through the pandemic, she found solace and expression through brush strokes.
“While on a community college campus, I would find myself ducking in and out of art classes, loving what I could soak up in a few minutes,” she said. “A few weeks before the Pandemic hit, I enrolled in an art class through Fresno State Continuing Education. Those few lessons helped me survive those long days secluded at home.”
Bridging Business and Arts
Bruegman was surprised when several friends, including Armen Bacon, Jacqueline Doumanian and Clarice Krikorian, invited her to join the Arts and Humanities Advisory Board (AHAB). Despite her background in business, Bruegman’s acceptance into AHAB signaled a broader mission: that Arts and Humanities are for all majors.
“Shirley brings her keen administrative acumen to every AHAB discussion, which we really appreciate. I am personally inspired by her hard work to break the glass ceiling and make such a difference at State Center,” Dean Honora Chapman said. “And just as importantly, she inspires us all now with her genuine enthusiasm for the arts and humanities and especially the success of our students. Shirley has helped them flourish and achieve their dream of a degree thanks to the support they have received from the Dean’s Council.”
A lifelong learner herself, Bruegman wrote the $1.5 million Osher Lifelong Learning Institute grant, establishing the institute for seniors on the Fresno State campus, a legacy that continues today. When seeking exceptional speakers, Bruegman often turned to the Arts and Humanities faculty at Fresno State, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of these subjects.
One standout, she said, was Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and a testament to the caliber of educators fostering creativity and knowledge.
A Legacy of Support
Bruegman stands as a beacon of support for the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. Her journey from a one-room school to the pinnacle of educational leadership reflects personal achievement and a commitment to fostering creativity and learning for all. Through her generosity to the Dean’s Council Annual Fund, Bruegman ensures that others have the opportunity to explore the transformative power of the Arts and Humanities.
As we celebrate Bruegman, we recognize a supporter and a trailblazer who has broken down barriers and inspired a new generation to find their passion within the arts and humanities.
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ChatGPT contributed to this story.
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The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 