The Ivester Foundation makes a $100,000 donation to create the David L. Barnett Scholarship at Brenau University to support the dreams of local students.
Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation has generously donated $100,000 to establish the David L. Barnett Scholarship at Brenau University. The new scholarship is geared toward first-generation students from Hall County, Georgia, who often face financial challenges to pursue higher education.
A Tribute to Leadership and Legacy
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. David L. Barnett, who recently became the 11th president of Brenau University in February. He expressed his gratitude for the contribution made by the Ivester Foundation, pointing out that education can be life-changing for an individual and the community at large.
“At Brenau, we firmly believe that education is an investment that pays off for both individuals and society.”. That generosity represents what the Ivester Foundation embodies in its commitment to help make students’ dreams possible.” He said that it was going to play an essential role in helping several students achieve their academic and professional goals.
Scholarship Details
David L. Barnett Scholarship will be for first-generation students from Hall County, Georgia, who exhibit financial need and are maintaining good academic standing. These scholarships will help to mitigate financial barriers so that students from the locality can be able to pursue higher education without the burden of suffocating debt.
This gift by the Ivester Foundation underlines its commitment to making higher education accessible to all, including those from underserved communities.
The Ivester Foundation’s Commitment to Education
According to Lynn Darby, president of the Ivester Foundation, it was a decision that arose from two key factors: to pay tribute to Dr. Anne A. Skleder and to commemorate the appointment of Dr. Barnett as president of Brenau University. “We wanted to find a meaningful way to honor both Dr.
Skleder’s legacy and Dr. Barnett’s leadership at Brenau.”. By establishing a perpetual scholarship fund, we’re helping ensure that future generations of students will have the financial support they need to pursue their college education,” Darby said.
Additional Donations to Support First-Generation Students
The Ivester Foundation also made a $40,000 contribution to the Anne A. Skleder First Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund in addition to the $100,000 gift for the David L. Barnett Scholarship.
This further commitment demonstrates the foundation’s continued interest in investing in first-generation students at Brenau University, thereby giving more chances to those who may not have had the resources to pursue a college education otherwise.
In the Future: Lasting Legacy at Brenau University
In donating to the Ivester Foundation, the institution is also part of a broader agenda to ensure that higher education remains accessible to all, regardless of financial background. Brenau University continues fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community through
scholarships like these as they provide students with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in their fields. Contributions of the Ivester Foundation will honor the past but also pave the way for future generations of Brenau students to achieve academic success and meaningful contributions to society.