Brenau honors Belk heir for education dedication

Department store pioneer, 90, presented honorary degree at commencement ceremony

Brenau University President Ed L. Schrader, left, presents an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to North Carolina businessman and philanthropist Irwin “Ike” Belk during Saturday's commencement exercises at the Georgia Mountains Center. Belk, 90, was honored for his contributions to nearly 50 colleges and universities nationwide, plus his many charitable endeavors. Schrader told Belk, “you have spent a lifetime putting into practice what you learned from your parents and what you learned in your own early education: to be a man of morals, a man of faith, a man who does something worthwhile, and a man who knows the importance of doing right by your fellow human beings.” In ceremonies Friday and Saturday, Brenau University conferred 786 degrees on 762 undergraduate and graduate recipients. The keynote speaker for both graduation ceremonies was Dr. Kent M. Keith, author and chief executive for the Greenleaf Center.

0506BelkWeb — Brenau University President Ed L. Schrader, left, presents an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to North Carolina businessman and philanthropist Irwin “Ike” Belk during Saturday's commencement exercises at the Georgia Mountains Center. Belk, 90, was honored for his contributions to nearly 50 colleges and universities nationwide, plus his many charitable endeavors. Schrader told Belk, “you have spent a lifetime putting into practice what you learned from your parents and what you learned in your own early education: to be a man of morals, a man of faith, a man who does something worthwhile, and a man who knows the importance of doing right by your fellow human beings.” In ceremonies Friday and Saturday, Brenau University conferred 786 degrees on 762 undergraduate and graduate recipients. The keynote speaker for both graduation ceremonies was Dr. Kent M. Keith, author and chief executive for the Greenleaf Center.

Irwin “Ike” Belk is a strong believer in education. That’s evidenced by numerous donations to colleges across the South, including his alma maters, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Davidson College, just north of his hometown of Charlotte, N.C. “The main thing to do in life is to educate your brain,” he said while waiting to receive an honorary degree Saturday during Brenau University’s commencement at the Georgia Mountains Center. He said it’s his 26th honorary degree.

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