For Graduating Student Isaac Barchus, UNO Has Been Much More Than a 4-Year Journey

When students make the big decision on where they will continue their education after high school, that’s often when their connection with their college campus begins.

The story is different, however, for University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) student Isaac Barchus. Barchus, who is set to graduate this spring, began his deep-rooted connection with UNO as a young boy.

Barchus was a Miracle Kid in UNO Dance Marathon’s inaugural year in 2015-2016 when he was 12. The organization raises funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, supporting kids and families who are battling chronic illnesses, including those at Children’s Nebraska.

“When I was younger, I was diagnosed with a rare autoinflammatory disease called CANDLE syndrome. It affects my joints, my muscles,” he says. “I’ve been dealing with it all my life.”

Barchus is one of about 60 people worldwide with the disease.

“What I remember, I think it was just the joy,” he says of his early Dance Marathon memories at UNO. “I think that is how it is for all of the kids that go through all of those different events throughout the year that they put on. It brought me friendship and connections.”

It wasn’t long before Barchus got further involved with the university. While on the east coast receiving medical care, he learned of the non-profit Team IMPACT, which connects kids with chronic illnesses to their local university teams. As a fan of the hockey program growing up, the choice was easy.

“I figured, you know what? I already know the university well, might as well connect with the Omaha hockey team here, and we'll see how it goes,” he says.

Barchus was signed on as an honorary captain of the 2017-2018 UNO hockey team at 13 years old. From that point forward, he’s had a special connection with every class of hockey players at the university. The team even created a new tradition with Barchus: hoisting him on their shoulders to sing the fight song after a big home win.

“It was really a bond moment and it's a really cool tradition that I think no other university has. And for [the team] to be able to celebrate with the fans and talk with the fans afterwards and get to know them, it's super cool.”

That tradition continued when Barchus became a UNO student after graduating from Omaha’s Westside High School.

“It was always UNO,” Barchus says of his decision about college.

“It was really hard not to come here. I know the programs here well, I know a lot of the staff here, too. I think I knew it was my home after I kept on going to the rink, or kept on going to Milo Bail and getting tours of the university. So, it was a dream to come here.”

Barchus knew coming to UNO as a student not only meant getting a high-quality education, but being part of something deeply meaningful to him.

“I wanted to give back. That's kind of been my goal since day one.”

Barchus joined Dance Marathon as a committee member and volunteered with the hockey team, eventually becoming a student operations manager.

“I wanted to do the same things those students did for me,” he says. “I wanted to help in any way I could and leave a lasting legacy.”

He also joined a fraternity, Delta Chi, where he became the philanthropy chairman and was able to raise more money for charities like the Ronald McDonald House and The V Foundation than the fraternity ever had before.

“It was an honor holding that position,” he says. “I care about those organizations, and I wanted to leave a lasting impact here, and I hope to carry that with me wherever I go.”

Barchus says it was UNO that gave him the opportunity to give back in real, impactful ways and to become a better person.

“My growth as a student here, and ever since I first joined the team, I think it's been instrumental. All of it; Dance Marathon, the fraternity, hockey team, and even class itself has helped me grow as a person, and all those skills I've learned from every single organization can help me in the long run, especially when I graduate.”

After graduation, Barchus hopes to stay in the sports operations realm or become more involved in non-profit work. Extending his time on campus to get his MBA has crossed his mind, too.

Graduation is bittersweet for any student. It marks the end of a transformative few years of education, growth, self-discovery, and connection. That feeling is even deeper for a student like Barchus, who describes UNO as a family.

“I think just the culture this university provides is one of a kind,” he says. “Like, everyone I've met here has been super kind and genuine, and are here for the same goals, you know, obviously to graduate, but also to grow as a human.”

🔙🖥️ Throwback coverage: Omaha news outlets covered the story of Isaac Barchus signing on as an honorary captain with the Mavs in October of 2017:

• KETV Newswatch 7
• Omaha World-Herald
• First Alert 6