The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation established the David L. Barnett Scholarship for first-generation students at Brenau University.

The gift is $100,000 to establish the scholarship in honor of Barnett, who became the university’s 11th president in February.

“At Brenau, we believe higher education is worth the investment because knowledge combined with purpose can serve the common good of our communities,” Barnett said. “Through its continued and generous support of Brenau and our students, the Ivester Foundation has shown that it shares this belief. I am pleased that these funds will help make the dream of earning a college degree a reality for generations of students to come.”

Once endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to first-generation students who demonstrate financial need, have good academic standing, and are from Hall County or graduated from a Hall County high school.

“The Ivester Foundation wanted to honor Dr. Skleder’s memory and recognize Dr. Barnett’s elevation to the position of Brenau president,” said Lynn Darby, president of the Ivester Foundation. “We thought the best way to honor both was to be able to perpetually award scholarships to deserving Brenau students.” We are happy to provide this support and congratulate Dr. Barnett.

The foundation also contributed $40,000 to the Anne A. Skleder First Generation Scholarship Fund.