Tuesday March 19th, 2024 5:55AM

Lobby of new Brenau physical therapy school named for Ralph & Mary Cleveland

By AccessWDUN staff

GAINESVILLE — In celebration of a major gift to the Brenau University ForeverGold campaign from one of Gainesville’s most prominent families, the lobby of Brenau's physical therapy school at the Brenau Downtown Center was dedicated Friday in memory of Ralph W. Cleveland and in honor of his wife, Mary Cleveland.  

Ralph Cleveland was a longtime trustee of Brenau University (1958-1996) and Mrs. Cleveland has been a lifelong educator and supporter of Brenau.

In addition to the unveiling of the plaque for the Cleveland Physical Therapy Lobby, Brenau President Ed Schrader presented  Mary Cleveland with Brenau's highest non-academic honor: the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for her contributions to the Gainesville community – particularly for her service to and support of education.  

“Brenau has been honored to have two generations of the Cleveland family involved in the university as trustees in Ralph and (son) John,” said Matt Thomas the vice president for external affairs, who oversees all fundraising activities. “The support the Cleveland family has provided to both Brenau and the downtown area of Gainesville, further cemented through a gift in our Downtown Center, shows the continued dedication to making both institutions strong now and in the future.”

The Mary Mildred Sullivan Award, in conjunction with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, honors the memory of the wife and husband for whom the awards are named. Since 1890, they have been awarded to those individuals whose “nobility of character” and service to others sets them apart as examples to all. A medallion, certificate, and biography of the award’s namesake are presented to each recipient.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation facilitates annual awards on 68 college and university campuses in the American South. Participating institutions may present the awards to graduating seniors, alumni or community members who meet the criteria set forth by the foundation.

Over the decades recipients have included  former first lady and U.N. Ambassador Eleanor Roosevelt, television icon Fred Rogers and Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell. 

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