Brenau University has received a $30,500 grant from the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to be used for financial aid for students and to increase the university’s endowment.

The Oxford, Miss.-based foundation earmarked $25,500 of the donation for the university’s Mary Mildred Sullivan Scholarships, which for decades have been awarded to Brenau Women’s College students with financial need who have demonstrated a commitment to service above self and to the community.

The scholarship was named for a 19th century Southerner who helped prisoners during the Civil War and later worked for reconciliation between the states.

Brenau has presented the Mary Mildred Sullivan Medal to a graduating senior and the Sullivan citation to a nonstudent with exemplary records of distinguished service to the university and other community causes.

The awards are the university’s highest nonacademic honors.

In addition to the scholarship grant, the foundation provided $5,000 for the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Endowment at Brenau University.

This endowment was established in 1998 to provide support in perpetuity for Sullivan Scholars at Brenau University.