Alumni Awards
Brenau Alumni Award nominations are open year-round, but the deadline for your nomination to be considered for a given year should be submitted by the end of January. Nominations from previous years will be considered in the future, if not selected.
Winners are selected by a committee of their peers. Awardees will be notified by March 15th. Awards are presented at Alumni Reunion Weekend each spring.
Academy Alumna of the Year
The Academy Alumna award is given to an Academy alumna each year who has given back to Brenau through her dedicated service and support.
Alumni Hall of Fame
The Alumni Hall of Fame award is given to an alum who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to their country, state, community, and to Brenau. The alum perpetuates the excellence of Brenau through their leadership, loyal support, service, and dedication.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Brenau University Athletics welcomes nominations for the Brenau Athletics Hall of Fame. The Brenau University community is encouraged to nominate former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff and friends for the Athletics Hall of Fame. Please see the requirements for each on the form linked below.
Community Service Award
The Community Service award is given to an alum who has, through work in their home community, made a lasting contribution through knowledge, culture, and service.
OT Outstanding Alumni Award
During last year’s Visiting Occupational Science Scholar Lectureship Series, the School of Occupational Therapy began to recognize an alumni by awarding one program alumni with the Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Occupational Therapy. Alumni can be nominated by their peers, persons who have benefited from their practice, or on their own accord. The nomination form will be available soon.
Professional Achievement Award
The Professional Achievement award is given to an alum who has distinguished themselves in their chosen profession.
Service to Brenau University
The Service to Brenau award is given to an alum who exemplifies a personal commitment to Brenau University.
Young Alumna Award
The Young Alumna award is given to a traditional-aged Women’s College alumna who has graduated within the last 15 years and demonstrated outstanding achievements in one or more of the following ways: promotions, recognition, honor organizations, public appearances, expertise in field, professional leadership, and/or continued education.
Scholarships for Current Students
The Alumni Association offers several scholarship opportunities for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. Applications will be available each year online beginning February 1. Applications are due February 28.
Given annually by the Office of Alumni Relations, this scholarship shall be awarded to sophomores or juniors seeking an undergraduate degree in any academic discipline; who are enrolled full-time at The Women’s College of Brenau University; and who have a 3.0 or higher GPA. The scholarship shall be awarded with consideration given to the student’s reflection on the Brenau Ideal, campus involvement, volunteer commitment at Brenau, and financial need.
Josephine Winter Rainey Scholarship Josephine Winter Rainey (WC ’47) was a woman of inner as well as outward beauty. Her actions were as kind, intelligent, generous and eloquent as her words. Her leadership was commended by her widespread and loyal followers. Her achievements and accomplishments were many and significant. Her influence was felt deeply in her community and church.
Brenau has been greatly enriched because Mrs. Rainey chose to share the excellence of her life with the college as a student and as an alumna. As a student, Mrs. Rainey served as president of the freshmen and sophomore classes. She was a member of the Chemistry Club, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the Student/Faculty Welfare Committee. She was also elected to membership in the Chemistry Honor Society. She was a member of the Class of 1947.
As a Brenau graduate, Mrs. Rainey exemplified the ideal alumna. Her service to Brenau was characterized by quality and quantity. Generous in all ways, she served two terms as president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority alumnae. She served as president of the National Brenau Alumnae Association from 1977 to 1983 and was actively involved in the Second Century Fund Campaign, which commemorated Brenau’s 100th anniversary. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnae Service to Brenau Award in 1981. Mrs. Rainey was inducted into the Brenau Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005.
As in all things, Mrs. Rainey shared her beloved family with Brenau. Her mother and one of her daughters are Brenau graduates. Her husband served as chairman of the Brenau Board of Trustees.
With the grace, generosity and courage that had so characterized her years; Josephine Winter Rainey died in 1986 after a long illness. Her example, as always, was a final loving gift to all who knew her.
The Purpose of the Scholarship:
To financially assist a Brenau woman who aspires to the Brenau Ideal, who will carry on the spirit of service to Brenau that Josephine Winter Rainey displayed throughout her lifetime, who will inspire and enhance the lives of all Brenau women, and who will encourage participation in the life of Brenau after graduation.
Eligibility Guidelines:
- A candidate shall be a full-time student of the Women’s College of Brenau University.
- A candidate shall have a high academic standing. A grade point average of 3.5 or higher is desirable.
- A candidate shall exhibit high moral character as described in the Brenau Ideal.
- A candidate shall exhibit a significant involvement in various Brenau campus organizations.
- A candidate shall be any rising junior or senior who has completed one academic year at Brenau and meets the other qualifications as addressed in the guidelines.
- A candidate may be a previous recipient of the award if the candidate still meets the other qualifications as addressed in the guidelines.