Augusta, GA

Sitting down with retiring Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2024

Sitting down with retiring Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The end of an era–it’s the last full week for Dr. Brooks Keel as the President of Augusta University.

As the days are winding down before he retires, he’s taking a moment to look back.

“It’s a bittersweet moment for me and for Tammie, and it has been all along,” said Keel. “We wanted to retire when I was on a high note, when things were going well–and things have never been better at this university.”

Dr. Keel will retire after more than 14 years in the University of Georgia System, serving as president of Georgia Southern University before moving to Augusta.

He also graduated from both elements of Augusta University, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Augusta College in 1978, and a doctorate in reproductive endocrinology from the Medical College of Georgia in 1982.

This also marks the end of a nine-year journey as president for Augusta University, a role he took on July 8, 2015.

He says of all the accomplishments, rebranding from Georgia Regents to Augusta University takes the cake.

“I knew at the time there would be some folks in the community who would be very passionate about this, who’d be really pleased. But I never really understood the depth, and the breadth of how much this community just really did not care for the name of Georgia Regents University,” Keel said.

“I still to this day will get people that will stop me in a grocery store–or Home Depot or whatever–and say, thank you for helping bring the Augusta back to the name of the university.”

Under his leadership, the university helped create Wellstar MCG Health, which will invest nearly $800 Million over the next 10 years in facilities and infrastructure.

Last fall, AU surpassed the 10,000-student mark for the first time in the history of the institution.

Since Keel took over, more than 18,000 students have graduated from Augusta University, going on to jobs varied in the 160+ academic programs at the university.

He credits the partnership between the school and city, as the university’s economic impact on the state has grown by nearly $1 Billion.

“We always knew that Augusta University could never live up to its potential without the city of Augusta. The city of Augusta, I don’t believe either can reach its full potential without Augusta University–we’re so intertwined,” Keel said.

His retirement also marks the end of a 40-year career in research and higher education, but Keel says it wasn’t possible on his own.

“The President gets a lot of credit for accomplishments of the University, but I personally have done very little–other than surrounding myself with an unbelievable team who have done the lion share of the hard work, the heavy lifting,” said Keel.

Dr. Russell Keen will take over as the new president on Monday, July 1st–Keel says the university is in good hands.

“We’ve been working together for 14 years, and we’ve gotten to know each other very well during that time. I can say without hesitation that he without question is the best person for this job–the right person, at the right time,” Keel said.

Keel and his wife will go back to Florida following his retirement, but not before reflecting on what he calls a remarkable journey.

“It’s been the thrill of my life to be able to serve my alma mater, and to be able to provide that sort of experience for our students. It has grown and exceeded my expectations far more than I could ever imagined,” said Keel.

It’s the end of one chapter for Keel, who is just as excited about the next one.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

22 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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