Brenau University is a private, independent institution of higher learning in Georgia. Its main campus is in Gainesville. The institution was founded in 1878 as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary. It was purchased by a private owner, H. J. Pearce, in 1900 and renamed Brenau College. The name Brenau was created from a blend of German and Latin words and carries the meaning gold refined by fire. Brenau College became Brenau University in 1992. The university’s athletic teams are called the Golden Tigers.
Brenau University has four divisions. The oldest, the Women’s College, admits only women students and offers a liberal-arts education culminating in a bachelor’s degree. The second division, Brenau Academy, opened in 1928 and is a college-preparatory residential school for girls in 9th through 12th grades. The third division, the Evening and Weekend College, was established in the 1970’s for returning adult students. It is open to both women and men. The fourth division is the Online College. Brenau began offering online courses in 1998.Classes are held at the main campus and at smaller campuses in Georgia.
The university’s website at https://www.brenau.edu/ offers additional information.
