Brenau University in the News: May 5-13, 2021

Brenau in the News is an ongoing compilation of media coverage highlighting Brenau and members of the Brenau community. Some news sources may require subscriptions.

Sen. Raphael Warnock tours construction of Gainesville Renaissance project

Sen. Raphael Warnock’s May 5 visit to Northeast Georgia included a stop at the Gainesville downtown square, where he was joined by city officials and Brenau University leaders including Executive Vice President and CFO David Barnett, Vice President of External Relations Matt Thomas and Assistant Vice President of Executive Programs and Gainesville City Council member Juli Clay. Together, they viewed and discussed the construction of the Gainesville Renaissance project, future home of Brenau’s Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling. Read more about Warnock’s visit from AccessWDUN and the Gainesville Times.

Brenau alumna Staci Vinton named Gainesville Jaycees Young Woman of the Year

Staci Vinton, who graduated with a bachelor’s in education while working full-time at the Brenau Child Development Center, was named Gainesville Jaycees Young Woman of the Year. The Academy Child Development Center, which Vinton opened in Oakwood in 2006, serves children ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten and offers after-school and summer programs to school-aged children. Vinton is a lifelong Gainesville-Hall County resident who received the Woman of the Year award for her hard work and dedication to helping the children of her community. Read more about Vinton from the Gainesville Times.

Brenau music major pursues dream of singing in Atlanta Opera

Lainie Ewers, junior music major at Brenau, was among 25 contestants in the third round of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra’s Virtual to Center Stage Talent Competition. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to perform with the orchestra. Ewers’ love of music started in eighth grade and led her to Brenau, where she has honed her talent as a vocalist. Read more about Ewers from the Gainesville Times.

Several with Brenau connections honored at Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce gala

During the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s 113th Annual Meeting & Gala on May 13, Doug and Kay Ivester were presented with the Distinguished Citizens Award. The longtime Brenau trustee and his wife were honored for their continuous philanthropic efforts in the Gainesville-Hall area, including gifts to support Brenau’s health science programs. In addition, Brenau Trustee Frank Norton Jr. received the Community Service Award as chair of Vision 2030, the chamber’s public arts committee, and Brenau alumna Mary Lee Dunagan’s Three D Cleaners was named Family Business of the Year. Read more from AccessWDUN and the Gainesville Times.