Josiah Crudup

After Pearce’s death, Brenau’s Board of Trustees hired Dr. Josiah Crudup as the fifth president. He spent more than two decades in the role. He helped expand and beautify the campus by adding a larger dormitory that was later named after him, the Mary Tallulah Jewell Home Economics Building, the Science Building and the Student Union. 

With degrees from Mercer University, Peabody College and the University of Chicago, Crudup focused on creating a unified campus development plan for the 40-acre campus and its 48 buildings that helped the area easily become identified as Brenau College. 

Under his leadership, the school acquired more land and relinquished 20 years of debt.In addition to his accomplishments at Brenau, Crudup was an active member of the Gainesville community. In 1960 he was chairman of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee to the city of Gainesville. Crudup was also a member of the Hall County Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized for his dedication to the Gainesville community with the Rotary Club “Man of the Year” award.