brenau was founded in 1878 as a private institution for the education of women. w.c. wilkes, the institution's first administrator, is credited with building many of the historic buildings that still stand today. although founders initially called the institution georgia baptist female seminary, it has never been affiliated with or governed by any religious organization. through the years brenau evolved from a proprietary college to a not-for-profit institution governed by an independent board of trustees. although the residential undergraduate brenau women's college remains as the cornerstone of the institution, other undergraduate programs on campuses, and all graduate and online programs, admit both men and women.