Augusta, GA

AU president gives final State of the University address

Published

4 months ago

May 16, 2024

AU president gives final State of the University address

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Wednesday, Augusta University President Brooks Keel gave his final State of the University address.

Keel is retiring this summer.

In the address, Keel highlighted past and present accomplishments.

He mentioned things like the largest freshman class ever with 10,000 students, the Wellstar MCG Health partnership, the new statewide transfer program for cybersecurity degrees and the 35% increase in academic programs since 2015.

The university also seen a 32% increase in degrees awarded since 2015.

Keel says it’s not just his final State of the University address. It’s his best one yet because it’s the most they have ever accomplished.

It’s an address that is bittersweet.

“We are sad that Dr. Keel is leaving. He’s just such a nice guy. He has guided the ship through name changes, through difficult times. But the one thing that his legacy will be is that he has set us up for the future,” said Angel Lovett, director of parent and family engagement.

It’s also a time to celebrate everything they’ve added.

“The name change, the building of the math and science, getting us a new parking deck, the new dorms,” said Lovett.

Russell Keen, executive vice president for administration and chief of staff, said: “If you look at where we were in 2015 to where we are today, it’s a remarkably different institution with remarkable support from the campus and the community.”

At a time when enrollment is tough for lots of universities, AU saw an increase.

“The five years prior to him getting here, it decreased 3% every year. And so, if you look at where we are this year, we’ve increased 27% in our enrollment over the last nine years, which is huge,” said Keen.

Keel has just 46 days left at the university before his retirement. He says he is excited to continue to watch the university grow.

“Thank you all so much for what you do day in and day out to make this place. You have a lot to be proud of, because of these folks sitting to your left and your right. We look forward to following this place from afar and watching the great progress that you make. So, thank you so much, and one more time, Go Jags,” said Keel.

While talking about what’s in store for the university, Keel signed off saying the future is bright for Augusta University.

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Augusta, GA

THE SCORE: Behind the Scenes with the Silver Bluff band

Published

10 hours ago

August 31, 2024

Press Room

THE SCORE: Behind the Scenes with the Silver Bluff band | Home | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Fire Department welcomes 13 new firefighters

Published

21 hours ago

August 30, 2024

Press Room

Augusta Fire Department welcomes 13 new firefighters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A class of fire recruits graduated from the Augusta Fire Department on Friday.

The department welcomed 13 new firefighters to the agency.

The department says this year’s theme, “Courage Under Fire: Rising Above,” was truly embodied by each recruit.

Augusta, Georgia Fire/EMA Department Chief Burden delivered an inspiring keynote address.

“We want to extend our deepest thanks to Augusta Technical College for their invaluable partnership and to the City of Augusta leadership for their continued support,” said the fire department.

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Augusta, GA

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2024

Press Room

‘It feels incredible to be something’: Augusta boxer gets UFC contract

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It didn’t take long for Augusta’s Malcolm Wellmaker to find his way back to the gym.

Landing less than 24 hours ago, the newly minted UFC fighter was ready to hit the bag.

“It feels incredible to be something that I thought was so huge when I was a kid but to be able to take it and be a part of their lives personally, to be able to impact them personally, to be able to motivate them, to show them it can be done. It’s not just a guy on a poster, you know? It’s a dream come true,” said Wellmaker.

In two minutes on center stage in Vegas, Wellmaker went from the guy who studied to the one they’ll study.

“I watched him drop to the ground, I immediately knew my work was done. You know, it was this huge relief. It was this huge contentment,” he said.

It was a knockout that would knock out his future plans.

“I already had the construction job going. I had piping going for myself. I could have made a good living traveling the road, making money like that. I had people tell me, you know, that that’s the route I should take and not to waste my time with fighting,” said Wellmaker.

Wellmaker was 22 when he started training. Now, he’s 8 years stronger.

“Dana White told me it was time to get busy,” he said. “They could give me a fight next month. I could take it, and then if I do good, I can fight that next month again.”

Former local baseball coach Terry Holder

He’s the next name from Augusta to hit the UFC.

“Winning and getting a UFC contract, and being from Augusta, and putting so much focus on Augusta, is to hopefully, you know, inspire a lot of young athletes to pursue the dream of being in the UFC knowing that it can be done,” said Wellmaker.

Forrest Griffin from Evans took the UFC by storm in the 2000s. His name is now in the Hall of Fame.

Through Wellmaker’s contract, his requirement is to fight three times over a 12-month period.

While this has changed his life overnight, he’s still working as a pipefitter.

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