Zoë Metelerkamp was named the Baxter-Bryan Scholar for the 2023-24 school year during Brenau University’s spring Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 6. The award is Brenau’s highest academic recognition, and the accompanying scholarship covers the student’s tuition, room and board for senior year.
“I was very surprised,” the dance and English double major said. “I think any of the finalists would have been a great fit, as we all have different strengths. I’m really flattered.”
Metelerkamp said higher education is an important opportunity for young people.
“It really is a rewarding experience to learn, to continue to learn, to interact with other people, to tell your story and hear other people’s stories in the college environment,” she said. “And, to be able to represent that and connect with each other on the amazing things we have here and to celebrate the joys of what we do here. It’s not just what we learn in terms of a formal education, it’s what we learn from each other on a daily basis.”
A rising senior in The Women’s College has been named a Baxter-Bryan Scholar each year since 1990. The award was established by Joe W. Baxter, who named the scholarship for his sister and Brenau alumna, Carfax Baxter, and friend Morris Bryan Jr.
The Sidney O. Smith Jr. Scholarship was presented to the Baxter-Bryan runner-up, Chloe Bennett.
“I’m just so honored to even be in the running for any of the Baxter-Bryan awards, especially with these four other amazing students,” Bennett said. “I know that we’ve all worked so hard to be here. I’m just so blessed and so honored to represent Brenau in this way.”
Other Baxter-Bryan finalists included Lucius Gardner, Caitlyn Miller and Madison Watts. All three were named Provost Scholars.
Other prestigious scholarships announced include:
- Mary Mildred Sullivan Award: Sophomore Egypt Byrd.
- Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award: Sophomore Sydney Jones.
- Women’s Leadership Colloquium Scholarship: Sophomore India Williams and junior Kendall Ashe.
- Halberg Award: Senior Baylee Schneider
- Spirit of Brenau Award: Sophomore Ariana Hatcher.
Each department presented individual awards to students.
Faculty awards were announced following the student recognition. Interior Design Department Chair Michael Kleeman was named the Ann Austin Johnston Award recipient for 2023. Associate Professor of Nursing Jane Anderson-Buffington and Science Instructor Rudi Keifer were both named as Outstanding Part-Time Faculty.
The university also paid tribute to Miracle Jordan, a first-year student who passed away earlier this year. Brenau presented a shadowbox with memorabilia representing Jordan’s activities, including Tau Sigma Dance Fraternity and the spirit cheer team, to her family. Tau Sigma performed one of Jordan’s favorite dance numbers.
At the end of of convocation, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Eck announced that afternoon classes were canceled, and students were encouraged to enjoy time together with a field day on the front lawn.
