Before concluding his nearly 15-year tenure as president of Brenau University, Ed Schrader was honored at a retirement event filled with politicians, Brenau trustees and colleagues April 18 at the Brenau Downtown Center.
“Schrader has championed The Women’s College and her traditions,” said Carole Ann Carter Daniel, member of the Brenau University Board of Trustees and an alumna of The Women’s College from the class of 1968. “With four granddaughters, he knows very well the importance of strong, independent women.”
Pete Miller, chairman of the board of trustees, granted Schrader with the title of president emeritus, which will begin July 1, his first day of retirement. Emeritus status is a special honor given to a distinguished employee. Miller also announced the trustees voted to name an educational facility The Schrader Center.
“I don’t think there is any greater legacy in life knowing that what you put your heart and your love and your soul into made a difference, particularly in the communities and students we serve,” Miller said..
Jim Walters, trustee secretary, said the trustees voted to establish the Ed Schrader Endowed Scholarship Fund.
The board of trustees also commissioned a painting of Schrader with his dog, Jake, that will hang in the Brenau Downtown Center.
David Larned, the artist of the painting, has ties to Brenau. His wife, Sarah Lamb, who is also an accomplished artist, graduated from The Women’s College in 1993. Both made the trip from Texas with their daughter, Sadie, to be at the unveiling.
“I’ve heard about this Brenau place for a long time,” he said. “Not surprisingly, it was a joy to work with Schrader, and Jake was a better model than most adults I’ve worked with.”
Georgia state Sen. Butch Miller gave Schrader a proclamation and greetings and congratulations from Gov. Brian Kemp.
“I think about the legacy that Ed will leave this community,” Miller said. “He has truly changed this community in a very, very dramatic, positive way.”
State Rep. Lee Hawkins from Gainesville presented Schrader with a proclamation from the Georgia House of Representatives.“Thank you for all you’ve done for the students and the people of this community,” Hawkins said.
Schrader wasn’t the only one honored at the event. Jody Wall, chief of staff and executive assistant to the president, presented Schrader’s wife, Myra, with a book of photos of her time at the university.
“Myra embraced Brenau University and the Gainesville community. And in turn, we embraced Myra,” Wall said. “She just made everyone associated with Brenau feel very special and very much apart of the Brenau community.”
President Schrader ended the event by talking about how much Brenau means to him.
“The reason that Brenau was so interesting to me 15 years ago and remains interesting for the next 45, 50 or 100 is because Brenau is part of Gainesville. This is a great place to be.”
