MORE THAN A MASCOT: To me, Bevo represents more than just the University of Texas; he is a symbol of courage, intelligence and pride. Growing up with both my parents working at the University, I have always felt a deep connection to its traditions and values. Bevo’s strength and resilience mirror the determination and academic excellence that the University embodies—qualities that my parents have instilled in me. Bevo is not just a mascot; he serves as a reminder of the pride I feel in being part of this community and its values of hard work and innovation. Having been immersed in the university’s culture from a young age, I see Bevo as a symbol of my own personal growth and legacy, and I am proud to be associated with it. For my father Bevo is representative of everything UT stands for. “Bevo is an emblem of the university,” Dan Breecker said. “The university means a lot to me as a place where students and faculty can express themselves and be creative and risky in the pursuit of knowledge without fear of consequences.”
HOOK ‘EM: Looking back on the parents’ open house at the University of Texas in 2013, I find a sense of nostalgia mixed with comfort. My family and I felt overwhelmed by the crowd, so we escaped to the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Although my memories of that moment are somewhat vague, it provided me with a unique glimpse into the university’s vibrant atmosphere. It was likely my last opportunity to see Bevo up close, and I’m grateful that I was able to share that moment with smiles. My family had made new memories and is able to recall them and rejoice this day. “It was awesome to show you guys new stuff,” Dan Breecker said. “This was something new. The stadium and Bevo was something you had never seen before and I felt proud to show you around the place that I worked.”
A GATEWAY TO MEMORIES: Every visit to the University of Texas felt like a small adventure. We would drive through the back entrance, away from the busy main road, and the familiar quiet path always brought a sense of anticipation. As we passed the old, weathered brick buildings, it felt as if they were telling the stories of decades gone by. Every time we turned that corner, that entrance, it became increasingly significant. It always felt like the start of something important—a quiet gateway to a place full of memories. My father shares my nostalgia for this entrance. “The Jackson School of Geosciences used to hold graduation celebrations on the lawn near this entrance,” Dan Breecker said. “It serves as a reminder of my daily entrance to the university, as well as the cycle of students graduating and leaving.”
A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE GLASS: I have vivid memories of running joyfully through the halls of my parents’ lab, darting between their offices, my eyes wide with wonder as I admired the glass cases filled with an array of rocks and minerals. I would ask countless questions about the different types of stones and how they were formed, each search deepening my fascination. From an early age, I cultivated a sense of creativity inspired by my parents’ passion for their work. In those cold, dark hallways, I always felt a sense of purpose, as if a warm light beckoned me from the end of the tunnel. My parents encouraged this interest. “The mineral cases are natural pieces of art,” Dan Breecker said. “No two are identical. I would think that the stones visual appeal attracted y’all’s interest. This interest probably lead to creativity and curiosity.”
A MEMORY PLACE: My parents’ offices are like a living scrapbook, filled with photographs and childhood artifacts that transport me to different moments in time. Each picture tells a story, capturing smiles and milestones, while the trinkets hold whispers of simpler days. “Photos on my desk reminds me of my family,” my mom, Jaime Barnes said. “When I get stressed, I take a breath and look at you guys, and it makes me smile.” These objects are more than just memorabilia; they are touchstones to the love, lessons and laughter that have shaped me. Walking through these rooms feels like stepping into a tangible collection of memories, with each piece woven into the fabric of my past.
FLOOR 5: The transition has been harder than I anticipated since my dad moved into a new office, leaving behind a space that once felt like home. My mom now occupies his old office, which has created a strange mix of nostalgia and disruption. The new view is the hardest. The familiar has been replaced by something new, making it difficult not to feel the old memories slipping away as they fade into the past with every small change. Yet, despite the bittersweet nature of this transition, there is also a sense of new beginnings for both my mom and our family. My dad’s new office still holds onto those young memories, balanced with the new. My father agrees, “It felt incredibly empty,” Dan Breecker said. “I moved in a few books and I had a computer and that was about it. Compared to my graduate school office, it was huge. Huge but empty.”
UP HIGH AND UP CLOSE: I remember feeling on top of the world. My parents and their coworkers frantically worked in the lab, calculating and fiddling with machines. I loved being involved in their jobs, learning about geology and the importance of their work. The lab became my racetrack, where I ran around, avoiding wires and people, and I enjoyed sitting on my parents’ laps, playing with test tubes and looking through the microscope. Sharing my experiences with friends at school always drew gasps of envy, making this lab a special place in my heart. My dad recalled a core memory. “Mom and I were giving you all sorts of stuff to look at under the microscope and keep you busy in the lab,” Dan Breecker said. “You were mildly amused until you saw a close up of one of your fingernails. That is all we looked at for the rest of the day. Upon returning to the lab years later, the major request was ‘Can I look at my fingernails?’”
“WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD”: The University of Texas geology department has always felt like a second home to me. Growing up surrounded by passionate discussions about earth sciences, with both my parents working there, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that drives the department’s mission to explore and understand our planet. From attending department events to overhearing exciting research stories at the dinner table, I feel a deep connection to its community and work. This longstanding relationship has shaped my love for the school and instilled a sense of pride in being part of such a prestigious institution. The department isn’t just a place of learning; it is a core part of who I am. I share this compassion with my mom, who attended the university and has a strong connection with it. “For me, the University of Texas is a full circle,” Jaime Barnes said. “I was educated here and now I am the educator here.”
A CYCLE OF ARRIVAL: Every time we leave UT, we exit through a familiar spot, creating a quiet ritual that marks the end of our day while hinting at the next. As we approach, both physically and emotionally, we transition from campus life, shedding the weight of classes and meetings. Crossing this threshold feels like stepping into another world, without a pause to acknowledge the close of that chapter. This exit, while symbolic of leaving, is intertwined with the anticipation of our return. It’s a simple gesture, yet it signifies the ongoing story we revisit daily, filled with the promise of coming back. My mom compares her walk to the car as a short journey through nature. “I walk over Waller Creek everyday,” Jaime Barnes said. “It’s a little new adventure. You can spot fish, turtles and sometimes a heron. It’s a nice transition from work to coming home. A small glimpse of nature before returning to my safe space.”
ONE DAY: I have never witnessed a football game at the iconic Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Each time I’ve been on campus, we’ve driven past it, and I always feel a mix of longing and disappointment. It’s not just a building; it’s a symbol of community excitement and shared experiences that I have yet to become a part of. More than just a stadium, it’s a connection for which I have always yearned. I can only imagine what it’s like to be inside, surrounded by the energy and pride that fills the air on game day. As a student, my mom witnessed many great games, but one filled the air with energy unlike any other. “I really enjoyed the UT football games,” Jaime Barnes said. “The most memorable one was Ricky Williams breaking the NCAA all-time rushing record. They stopped the game, and it was the entire conversation starter of the school for at least the next couple of days!”
