Join us in celebrating 145 years of Brenau and the 95th anniversary of the Academy! This year marks a significant milestone, and I am thrilled to extend a warm invitation to our reunion weekend at the Gainesville Historic and Downtown campuses. It’s a perfect opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and make new connections with fellow alumni and current students.
One highlight you won’t want to miss is the 145 Celebration Dinner & Alumni Awards Presentation on Friday evening, where we will honor reunion classes ending in 4 and 9.
The Alumni Reunion Weekend promises to be filled with beloved events and traditions. This year, we’re excited to add the Innovation, Inquiry & Creativity Symposium on Friday, showcasing innovations in teaching and learning. We encourage you to seize the opportunity to earn continuing education credits and explore the diverse offerings at the business and author expo. Whether you aim to showcase your achievements or discover something new and intriguing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Brenau owes its excellence to the dedication of alumni like you, who pay it forward for future generations. This spring, we continue our tradition of the “Golden Decades Giving Competition,” recognizing the decade with the highest participation and most donations. Join the 1878 Club by making a gift in honor of your reunion, a favorite professor, or cherished memories at Brenau. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful impact on our students’ lives. I look forward to meeting you and celebrating together!
Emily K. Reid, MBA
Director of Alumni Engagement
Schedule
Thursday, April 11
- REGISTRATION & SILENT AUCTION
- 3-5 p.m., Yonah Lobby
- This year, the silent auction will be available online, with the option to view items in person, ensuring everyone stays connected and informed about all the exciting action!
- AFTERNOON TEA
- 3 – 5 p.m., Lockett-Mitchell Parlour
- Campus tours leaving at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm
- GALLERIES OPEN HOUSE
- THE BRENAU COLLABORATIVE
- 3 – 5 p.m., Sellars Gallery
- The exhibition celebrates the work of senior Art and Design students and undergraduate artists of all majors.
- LAVISH DELIGHTS: JENNY BISHOP HEATON SOLO EXHIBITION
- 3 – 5 pm, Castelli Gallery
- The exhibition will feature a wide range of works consisting of altered silkscreened prints, paintings, drawings, and digital works on paper.
- THE BRENAU COLLABORATIVE
- ARCHIVES ROOM OPEN HOUSE
- 3 – 5 p.m., Trustee Library
- Look through old pictures and reminisce about your time at Brenau. There will be a special exhibit on display highlighting pieces from our scrapbook collection, including alumnae scrapbooks!
- 50TH REUNION DINNER FOR CLASSES 1973-1975, 24K CLUB, & GOLDEN ROSES CLUB WITH PRESIDENT DAVID BARNETT
- 5:30 p.m., Thomas Atrium, Brenau Downtown Center
- The graduates of 1973, 1974 and 1975 and current members of the 24K Club and the Golden Roses Club are invited to dinner and celebration. Enjoy catching up with friends and reminiscing about your time at Brenau. A special ceremony will be held recognizing each member of these classes.
- BRENAU COLLABORATIVE: FASHION SHOW
- 6:30 pm, Pearce Auditorium, Reception to follow in Sellars Gallery and the President’s Gallery
- BRENAU DANCE SENIOR THESIS & GUEST ARTIST CONCERT
- 7:00 pm, John S. Burd Performing Arts Center
Friday, April 12
- REGISTRATION & SILENT AUCTION
- 9 – 6:30 pm, Brenau Downtown Center Lobby
- This year, the silent auction will be available online, with the option to view items in person, ensuring everyone stays connected and informed about all the exciting action!
- GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
- INNOVATION, INQUIRY & CREATIVITY (IIC) SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE
- 10 – 10:45 am, Walters Theatre, Brenau Downtown Center
- This event features undergraduate, graduate, faculty and staff presentations that span disciplines as diverse as fine arts and humanities, education, health, science, business and communication.
- Keynote Speaker, Prof. Will Hinton
- Learn more about the IIC Symposium
- POSTER DISPLAY – IIC SYMPOSIUM
- 10 am, Thomas Atrium, Brenau Downtown Center
- SESSION BLOCK 1 – IIC SYMPOSIUM
- 11 – 11:45 am, Brenau Downtown Center and Brenau Renaissance Center
- The Innovation, Inquiry & Creativity Symposium sessions are currently under review and selection by a faculty committee. Stay tuned as we’ll be adding them to the schedule soon!
- NETWORKING LUNCH
- 12 – 1 pm, Brenau Downtown Center Ballroom
- CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT SESSION
EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE: HARNESSING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT FOR ENHANCED ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY- 1 – 2 pm, Walters Theatre, Brenau Downtown Center
- Speaker, Lawrence E. Henderson, Jr., CPC, PCC
- Participants will be eligible to earn continuing education credits from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), applicable for (re)certification or professional development purposes.
- SESSION BLOCK 2 – IIC SYMPOSIUM
- 1 – 1:45 pm
- The Innovation, Inquiry & Creativity Symposium sessions are currently under review and selection by a faculty committee. Stay tuned as we’ll be adding them to the schedule soon!
- SESSION BLOCK 3 – IIC SYMPOSIUM
- 2 – 2:45 pm
- The Innovation, Inquiry & Creativity Symposium sessions are currently under review and selection by a faculty committee. Stay tuned as we’ll be adding them to the schedule soon!
- SESSION BLOCK 4 – IIC SYMPOSIUM
- 3 – 3:45 pm
- The Innovation, Inquiry & Creativity Symposium sessions are currently under review and selection by a faculty committee. Stay tuned as we’ll be adding them to the schedule soon!
- IIC SYMPOSIUM CLOSING CEREMONY
- 4 – 4:30 pm, Walters Theatre, Brenau Downtown Center
- BUSINESS & AUTHOR EXPO
- 4:30 – 6 pm, Brenau Downtown Center
- Alumni are encouraged to promote their businesses, the companies they represent, and/or their books. We eagerly anticipate showcasing the best of Brenau! Limited space available, apply for space today!
- PRESIDENT’S CLUB RECEPTION
- 5 -6 pm, Renaissance Gallery
- The President’s Club is all donors who give $1,000+ annually to Brenau. Please join us for a reception with President David Barnett. Separate invitation to follow.
- ALUMNI & FRIENDS HAPPY HOUR
- 5 – 6:30 pm, Brenau Downtown Center and Darby School Courtyard
- JUNE MOORE-RICHARDS PORTRAIT UNVEILING
- 6 – 6:30 pm, Brenau Downtown Center
- 145 CELEBRATION: ALUMNI AWARDS CEREMONY, REUNION DINNER & PINNING
- 6:30 pm, Brenau Downtown Center Ballroom
- Open to everyone, this event celebrates the classes that end in a 4 and 9. Each reunion class member will receive their pin during a special ceremony. Enjoy music, dinner and drinks while you catch up with friends. We also will celebrate our annual alumni award winners.
- BRENAU DANCE SENIOR THESIS & GUEST ARTIST CONCERT
- 7:00 pm, John S. Burd Performing Arts Center
- GAINESVILLE THEATRE ALLIANCE (GTA) PRESENTS: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
- 7:30 p.m., UNG Ed Cabell Theatre
Saturday, April 13
- REGISTRATION
- 9 – 1 pm, Yonah Lobby
- SILENT AUCTION
- This year, the silent auction will be available online, with the option to view items in person, ensuring everyone stays connected and informed about all the exciting action!
- Silent Auction items will be available to view in the Upper Dining Room until 3 p.m.
- CLASS DAY
- 9 – 10 am, Pearce Auditorium & The Crow’s Nest
- Presented by Brenau’s Office of Student Development & Engagement
- CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
- 10 – Noon, Wilkes Porch & Lawn
- CLASS PHOTOS
- 11 am: ’50s, ‘60s, Academy
- 11:15 am: 50th anniversary classes of 1972 – 74, ’70s
- 11:30 am: ’80s, ’90s, 2000s
- 11:45 am: 2010s & 2020s
- BRENAU PAINT & SIP
- 1 – 2 pm, Wilkes Porch & Lawn
- Leading our inaugural Brenau Paint & Sip event is none other than Gena Robbins, Brenau’s Director of Galleries! Come join the excitement and unleash your creativity in a Brenau-themed painting session!
- 25TH CELEBRATION OF THE WRITING CENTER
- 1 – 2 pm, Trustee Library, Writing Center
- All tutors and friends of the writing center are invited to come celebrate this milestone!
- MAY COURT PRESENTATION
- 2 – 3 p.m., Front lawn by the Crow’s Nest
- Brenau’s Office of Student Development and Engagement presents this timeless tradition crowning the May Queen and wrapping the Maypole.
- SORORITY OPEN HOUSES
- 3-5 p.m., Sorority houses
- ALUMNI HOUSE RECEPTION
- 3 -5 pm, Walters House
- For those who would like to keep the conversations going, the Walter’s Alumni House is open to all to hang out and relax!
- SENIOR LEADERSHIP SOCIETY (HGH) UPDATE & RECEPTION
- 4:30 p.m., Lockett-Mitchell Parlour
- Members are invited to meet the current students joining the society!
- BRENAU ACADEMY DINNER & 95TH CELEBRATION
- 5:30 – 7 pm, Northeast Georgia History Center
- All Academy alumnae are invited to join us for an evening of celebration! We look forward to introducing the new Red Rose Society too!
- ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY & DINNER
- (Additional cost)
- 6:30 p.m., Brenau Downtown Center Ballroom
- BRENAU DANCE SENIOR THESIS & GUEST ARTIST CONCERT
- 7:00 pm, John S. Burd Performing Arts Center
- GAINESVILLE THEATRE ALLIANCE (GTA) PRESENTS: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
- 7:30 p.m., UNG Ed Cabell Theatre
Hotel Accommodations
- Courtyard by Marriott (Our rate $159/night)
- New hotel in between Brenau’s historic campus, the downtown campus, and the Gainesville square!
- Room block available through Wednesday, March 13.
- Hilton Garden Inn, Gainesville (Our rate: $139/night)
- TownPlace Suites Gainesville (Our rate $129/night)
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Gainesville (Our rate $119/night)
- Hampton Inn, Gainesville (Our rate: $119/night)
- Click on “Edit Stay” and enter the Corporate Code: 0002692796 to get the Brenau rate.
Staying in town past ARW? Check out the Gainesville Square and use your Brenau Alumni Discount Card!
Need a card? Fill out this form!