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President Schrader

We need to rededicate ourselves to supporting - in any way we can - all legitimate educational institutions, especially Brenau, as we strive to make exemplary contributions to our global society.

"Educational opportunities and research generated huge advances in American productivity during the last half of the 20th century - the underpinning of national security and prosperity. "
-- Ed Schrader, Ph.D.
President of Brenau University

Photos: Dr. Ed Schrader at recent events and in conversation with Brenau students

From the President			updated October 30, 2008
Brenau and the Global Economy
This summer I visited two remarkable individuals in Washington, D.C., both with strong Brenau connections: U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, whose wife, Lilibet, is a Brenau Academy alumna, and Dr. Gale Allen, a top NASA official who enhanced her science background with a Brenau M.B.A. Both individuals provided inspirational insight for our continued examination of national and global events and their impact on Brenau University. Our 2025 strategic plan to become a widely recognized doctoral degree-granting institution took into account some evolving economic and demographic factors. First, in the future, fewer traditional-age students will be graduating from U.S. high schools and seeking undergraduate diplomas. Second, all demographic groups, particularly non-traditional students, will demand more advanced educational certification and graduate degrees because current and prospective employers will require those credentials. Finally, there is an opportunity for filling a void for a private, professionally oriented doctoral university in Georgia. Brenau´s strategy, which includes strengthening and advancing the Women´s College, fulfills the university´s mission and assures its long-term fiscal and academic viability. Brenau committed itself to raise the bar in higher education and help fill these gaps in intellectually qualified professionals and responsible citizens. For Brenau "the future" arrived slightly ahead of schedule and brought with it unwelcome economic baggage. In academic year 2008-09 we grew in overall student enrollments but had about 50 fewer new Women´s College undergraduates than expected. Also, adverse economic impact on state revenues probably means eroding state financial support for private higher education. In response, we revised budgets and continue to exercise financial restraint. Brenau remains financially sound - in much better fiscal condition than other institutions, some of which reported enrollment declines as high as 30 percent. I will not rehash the alarming economic problems that have dominated the news since my visit to Washington and have led to unprecedented government reactions. These solutions, I believe, address only festering symptoms of a muchdeeper disease - a decline in the quality and effectiveness of scholarly, ethical education. As I spoke with Dr. Allen, I was energized hearing her outline the possibilities of future space exploration. Given the astounding societal contributions begat by 20th century space exploration, can you imagine what might come from 21st century missions? Before we launch the rocket, requirements of a manned Mars trip could easily lead to solar-powered terrestrial vehicles and cancer-fighting advances in women´s health as more female astronauts prepare for radiation exposure in long space journeys. Sadly, if our leaders fail to apply our limited resources of finance and collective will to the economic recovery effort, all of that could be jeopardized. Sen. Hagel was no less thought-provoking. He clearly understands that educational opportunities and research generated huge advances in American productivity during the last half of the 20th century - the underpinning of national security and prosperity. We seem to have forgotten that history. In his book, America: Our Next Chapter, Hagel observes that U.S. companies represented 50 percent of the new common stocks offered around the world in 2000 - a good measure of business innovation, much of which stemmed from academic research. Today it is about five percent. In 2005 foreign companies won six of the top 10 U.S. patents. A closer-to-home example he cited was that the 15 education schools in one southeastern state from 1990-2005 graduated a total of only three new physics teachers. The last fact resonates deeply at Brenau. We constantly face the challenge of hiring qualified faculty in science, nursing, mathematics and other fields. Sen. Hagel and Dr. Allen will agree, I believe, that Americans must invest more in education to provide a secure future. This juncture is where we as individuals come in. We must keep the pressure on our leaders so they will not short sell education and visionary programs in quick-fix solutions to economic problems. And, we need to rededicate ourselves to supporting - in any way we can - all legitimate educational institutions, especially Brenau, as we strive to make exemplary contributions to our global society. These are tough, troubling times, but I feel buoyed by your encouragement and enthusiasm. I am thankful that I have you, the Brenau family, to help us meet the challenges.

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