The search for the successor to retiring Brenau University President Ed Schrader is now officially underway.
The Brenau University Board of Trustees' executive committee announced Wednesday the formation of a 16-member committee; the committee is comprised of board members, faculty, staff and a student representative. Schrader will serve as an advisor to the committee.
Local businessman and Brenau University trustee Mike Smith has been appointed as chairman of the search committee.
"[The committee] working alongside of our search firm, Hyatt-Fennell, is charged with evaluating the pool of qualified candidates assembled; selecting a short-list of semifinalists for ‘airport interviews’ conducted by the Search Committee; and proposing approximately three candidates to the Executive Committee for the selection of a potential new president to be voted on by the Board of Trustees.”
Smith said the search is designated as "closed," but "the process shall remain transparent to the Board while protecting the confidentiality of the candidates."
Smith said he anticipates strong interest in the position because of Brenau's path of success under Schrader’s 15-year tenure. Smith noted that while Schrader has been president, the university’s budget has nearly tripled to $65 million, and Brenau's endowment has increased from $26.3 million to more than $51 million. Student enrollment has almost doubled to nearly 4,000 annually enrolled, and the 6,500-piece Permanent Art Collection has grown to an estimated value of $8.3 million.
The search committee has approved the position profile, which is posted on the Brenau website at https://www.brenau.edu/presidential-search/. Advertising for the position has begun, and applicants have already reached out to Hyatt-Fennell.
Smith said the committee expects to receive 60 or more applications by the December 10 cutoff date.
