Brenau University has dedicated the Schrader Athletic Center to honor President Emeritus Ed Schrader, Ph.D., who led the university from 2005-19. Additionally, the basketball court inside the center is now the Ed L. Schrader Court.
“It is important that Brenau recognize Dr. Schrader’s contributions to the university in a way that reflects his passions and his contributions throughout his more than 14 years of leadership,” Brenau President Anne A. Skleder said. “As president, I am grateful for the solid foundation and legacy that he provided for Brenau to continue toward its 150th year. The Schrader Athletic Center on Brenau’s Historic Campus will be seen by many athletes, fans, and visitors who use the facility.”
Brenau’s 15 teams compete in 12 varsity sports in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Appalachian Athletic Conference. For 13-straight years, Brenau’s athletics program has earned national recognition as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution and a number of Brenau students are named NAIA scholar-athletes each year for their academic and athletic excellence.
Skleder specifically lauded Schrader’s impact upon the university’s athletic program, both in number of teams and consistent quality of the student-athletes, who have an average GPA of 3.33.
“His vision for an expanded athletic program continues to positively impact the university, with our athletes contributing to both the academic and personal success of our student body,” Skleder said.
The naming was approved by Brenau’s Board of Trustees in late 2022 following a commitment by the board to provide a facility with the Schrader name to honor his time as president.
“I was honored to work with Dr. Schrader when I came onto the Board of Trustees as a new member in 2014, and his vision and energy continued Brenau’s positive trajectory, ” Mike Smith, chair of the Board of Trustees, said. “On behalf of the board, we are humbled to be bestowed with this opportunity to show appreciation for what Ed and his wife, Myra, have meant to Brenau and the Gainesville and Hall County community.”
A ribbon-cutting for the building and an unveiling of the court were held during a March 31 dinner to honor the Schraders.
“I didn’t need tonight to feel like Brenau is always a part of my life going forward, but it was very nice,” Schrader said after the events. “I feel that my legacy is the diplomas that were granted during the time I spent here at Brenau, because I know those women and men are living lives they wouldn’t have lived had they not been with us. I do believe that Brenau provides a special experience and a special opportunity for our graduates. That really is the reason to be here.”
Prior to Schrader’s time at Brenau, the Mississippi native served four and a half years as president of Shorter University. He also served as associate dean of sciences and in other academic capacities at his undergraduate alma mater, Millsaps College.
Schrader graduated cum laude from Millsaps with a degree in geology in 1973. As a Chancellor’s Honor Graduate, he earned a master’s degree in geology and geochemistry from University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1975. He earned a Ph.D. in geology and biochemistry at Duke University in 1977.
In addition to his academic roles, Schrader’s career in geology included chief geologist for J. M. Huber Corp., vice president of United Catalysts Inc., president of Diversified Minerals Corp. and CEO of Consolidated Ecosystems Inc.
Schrader has written extensively for both academic and non-academic publications and authored more than 65 scholarly presentations and 34 peer-reviewed publications. He also has served as associate editor for Environmental Geology, an international scientific journal.
The Schraders reside in Gainesville, Georgia, and have two children, four granddaughters and one grandson.
