Brenau University President, Ed Schrader, has been conferred with the W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award by the Rotary Club of Gainesville and the northeast Georgia district of the international organization.

Schrader was honored for his efforts in developing career-oriented academic programs at the university. He is also credited with creating the Brenau Downtown Center that features health care professions preparation programs, which include a doctorate in physical therapy.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Millsaps College, masters from the University of Tennessee in geology and received a Ph.D in geochemistry from the Duke University.

Prior to the Brenau University, Schrader served as president of Shorter University, taught geology at University of Alabama and Millsaps and worked as an executive in the international natural resource industry.

His other accomplishments feature strengthening and renewing partnerships with three major higher education institutions in China, which include the largest women's university in the country.

This award is presented to individuals from the community who best resemble Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self."

Brenau University is a private, not-for-profit, higher education institution with 2,800 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs, two-year Associate of Arts and doctorates.

The university comprises of four colleges: Fine Arts & Humanities, Health & Science, Business & Mass Communication and Education.