Edward L. “Ed” Schrader, Ph.D.

Dr. Ed Schrader was the ninth president of Brenau University and currently serves as president emeritus. 

Schrader was a catalyst for growth by putting the university on an aggressive growth trajectory. During his 14-year tenure, Brenau nearly doubled its endowment, increased enrollment and grew the Permanent Art Collection.

He preserved the historic Women’s College while adding job-producing co-educational programs. Under Schrader’s leadership, the university launched four doctoral programs: the Doctor of Nursing Practice, the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Doctor of Education.

Schrader also led the expansion of Brenau’s footprint from the historic 55-acre campus in Gainesville, including the Brenau East facility located in the Featherbone Communiversity about a mile from the main campus and the Brenau Downtown Center, formerly the Georgia Mountains Center, on the city square. The university also opened a new 70-bed dormitory, four new sorority houses, and the Ernest Ledford Grindle Athletics Park.

Among other accomplishments during his tenure, Schrader expanded Brenau’s athletics. In April 2023, Brenau dedicated the Schrader Athletic Center to honor Schrader. Additionally, the basketball court inside the center is now the Ed L. Schrader Court.

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.