As campus comes to life most mornings from early spring to late fall, Jon Jenkin is already at work — checking chemicals, clearing debris and setting robotic vacuums loose in Broyhill Fountain.
As facility manager for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Jenkin’s job spans the Nebraska Unions, Gaughan Multicultural Center and UNL Children’s Center. But most of his days begin at one of the most recognizable spots on campus — a place where generations of Huskers have gathered, posed for photos and made memories.
“Broyhill is definitely a focal point of campus,” Jenkin said. “My team takes pride in making sure it looks nice so people can enjoy it.”
Jenkin, a 1992 alumnus of the College of Business, returned to his alma mater two years ago to join the facilities team. He oversees a crew of four maintenance technicians who float between buildings, responding to work orders ranging from routine repairs to urgent issues.
While every day is unique, caring for Broyhill has become a regular — and meaningful — part of the job.
Automation has made the work more efficient as the team uses robotic vacuums to clean hard-to-reach areas and solar-powered skimmers gather debris floating on the surface.
“It’s not super labor intensive,” Jenkin said. “We let them do the work and then retrieve them later.”
Still, the job comes with seasonal challenges. In the fall, tiny leaves from nearby locust trees clog the system, requiring hours of hands-on clean-up. And, after a storm or the occasional prank — like when someone dumps soap into the water — Jenkin and his team spend several hours draining, scrubbing and refilling the fountain.
Through it all, Jenkin values his connection to the space. And, he often offers to take photos for visitors trying to capture a moment in front of the fountain.
“When we are out there, we really see the importance of Broyhill as people stop to take selfies and photos,” Jenkin said. “I usually offer to take photos for families or whoever.
“People really love that and it feels good helping them capture the memory.”
Lighting issues and aging systems are among ongoing challenges he is working to resolve, but Jenkin remains focused on what the fountain means to generations of Huskers.
“It’s kind of fun coming back to work for the school you graduated from,” Jenkin said. “There’s just a different energy here. It’s a special place and the fountain is a part of that.”
