At the Honors Convocation on April 11, then-President Ed Schrader received several honors and gifts before he retired after nearly 15 years at the helm of Brenau University.

Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan declared the date Dr. Edward L. Schrader Day. Schrader was also given a basketball with a message from Mike Krzyzewski, head men’s basketball coach at Duke University where Schrader earned a Ph.D. in geochemistry, as well as a binder of well-wishes from colleagues across the United States.

“It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon to read a little proclamation to Dr. Schrader, who has meant so much to this community and our city and Brenau,” Dunagan said. “Ed and I have gotten to be real good friends over the several years that he’s been here. We’ve had a lot of good times together.”

In addition, 2018-19 Student Government Association President Sommer Stockton, WC ’19, said an oak tree will be planted on Brenau’s front lawn in Schrader’s honor.

The Board of Trustees named Schrader president emeritus effective July 1, his first day of retirement. It also established the Ed Schrader Endowed Scholarship Fund and commissioned a painting of Schrader with his dog, Jake. The painting, by David Larned, will hang in the Brenau Downtown Center.