Brenau University’s Baxter-Bryan Scholarship, the university’s highest academic honor, was recently awarded to Haley Bartoletta for the 2021-22 school year.
The Baxter-Bryan Scholarship was established 32 years ago by Joe W. Baxter in honor of his sister, Carfax Baxter, and friend, Morris Bryan Jr. The award covers the cost of tuition, room and board for the recipient’s senior year.
Bartoletta, a mass communication major from Jefferson, Georgia, was among five students from the Women’s College of Brenau University nominated for the award. In addition to academic achievements, finalists were chosen based on campus involvement in athletics, Greek life, student government association, peer assistant and international ambassador programs and other activities.
“I’ve been going here for four years, and every year that I’ve been here, I’ve grown to love the community more and more,” Bartoletta said. “To be in this position where I get recognition for my hard work and to be among such deserving candidates as well, it’s amazing. And I’m very honored to be here.”
The runner-up for the Baxter-Bryan Scholarship was Daphne Ramirez, a biology major from Covington, Georgia. Ramirez received the Sidney O. Smith Scholarship, named for the former Brenau trustee and U.S. district judge.
“It’s really an honor to receive this scholarship,” Ramirez said. “I love Brenau and everything about it. Being able to represent Brenau through a scholarship and through a nomination is just really telling about how Brenau treats its students. I’m blessed to have received this scholarship, and it made me feel really special to know that the faculty at Brenau is recognizing me.”
The three other Baxter-Bryan finalists were Annabelle Lee, finance major from Suwanee, Georgia; Emily Ashmead, theatre major from Duluth, Georgia; and Rebecca McDaniel, middle grades education major from Leesburg Georgia. Each of these finalists will receive the Provost Scholarship.
“As it is every year, it’s such a difficult choice,” Brenau Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Eck said to the finalists. “All the finalists are deserving of the Baxter-Bryan Scholarship. You have all led with distinction and reflect the quality of students that attend Brenau.”
