Trustees dedicate Skleder Hall, official portrait to honor late president

Edie Rogers |11.12.2024

Brenau University and the Board of Trustees were joined by students, faculty, staff and guests on Friday, Nov. 8, to dedicate an official portrait and the renamed Skleder Hall to honor the late Dr. Anne A. Skleder, who died in October 2023.

"Today we name this great building and dormitory in her honor and memory because of what the students meant to her," Trustee Anna Jacobs, WC '86, said. "Skleder Hall will forever be filled with you, bright-eyed and hopeful young women and men looking every day to strive for better. This was Dr. Skleder's dream. We have all grieved that dream seemed to have been cut short. But if we listen to her own words, it was always about YOU and never about her."

Mike Smith, chair of the Board of Trustees, noted Skleder, who served as Brenau's 10th president from 2019 until her death, called Brenau's students "our reason for being."

"Over the past year, Trustees' thoughts kept coming back to Brenau's students as we reflected on the best way to honor the late Dr. Skleder's legacy and lasting impact on the university," Smith said. "We think Dr. Skleder would be pleased that she will forever be connected to the students she loved so dearly, yet humbled because she never sought individual recognition."

Trustees also changed the name of the scholarship created by Skleder in 2019 to the Anne A. Skleder First Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund, a perpetual fund to receive gifts in her memory.

David L. Barnett, Ph.D., 11th president of Brenau, shared how Skleder always remained dedicated to the university and its students.

"Though her positive nature had us all filled with hope of her best outcomes, Dr. Skleder nonetheless ensured the university was continuing, without suspension, to focus on its mission of challenging students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment," Barnett said. "When she approached me to ask if I would consider serving as acting president, she expressed her desire that her personal situation would not delay the progress being made for the students Brenau supports."

The official portrait was commissioned earlier this year by the Board of Trustees and unveiled Nov. 8 in the second-floor lobby of Skleder Hall. It was painted by Gainesville artist Travis Massey, who also has been commissioned to paint portraits of the late Sandra Deal, wife of former Gov. Nathan Deal, and the late Rep. David Ralston, former Georgia Speaker of the House.

The three-story residence hall on Prior Street in Gainesville, houses more than 70 upper-level students. It was constructed as part of Brenau's ForeverGold improvement project. During the dedication event Shaloom Delgado Forero, WC '25, shared how Skleder showed support when Forero hosted a Women's Day event.

"Dr. Skleder came to me and gave me a warm hug and said how beautiful and powerful the event was for the community," Forero, a Brenau marketing student, said. "Then I gave her one of the roses we were handing out, and I took a picture of her, which I can still visit now, and I feel the support and kindness that she emanated daily."

Whitney McDowell-Robinson, who was hired by Skleder as the university's first vice president for Student Development and Engagement, delivered closing remarks at the event.

"In our first meeting, in March of 2023, we talked through strategy and operations and thought about how we can impact students and make the change that we hope to see," McDowell-Robinson said. "So, I'm so excited that the university has not only dedicated this space to her, but has an opportunity to continue her memory through her endowment. Students, which are our reason for being here, are continually improved upon and continually supported and know that they belong here at the university."

Under Skleder's leadership, Brenau elevated its Department of Psychology to the Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling and established the Miller Institute for Global Education. She successfully prepared the university for its decennial review by its accrediting body and launched the university's next round of strategic planning.

Skleder was actively involved in a number of national and regional organizations, where she represented the interests of Brenau University and private institutions.

President David L. Barnett Trustee Anna Jacobs, WC '86 Board Chair Mike Smith Shaloom Delgado Forero, WC '25 Whitney McDowell-Robinson, VP for Student Development and Engagement

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