Augusta, GA

AU president gives final State of the University address

Published

2 years 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

Driver taken into custody after chase, rollover crash in Augusta

Published

3 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Driver taken into custody after chase, rollover crash in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A driver is in custody after leading Richmond County deputies on a chase that ended in a rollover crash Thursday evening.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they attempted to stop a black BMW sedan with no registration plate on Tubman Home Road at Gordon Highway around 6:30 p.m.

The driver, Willie Junior Brown, 33, failed to stop and led deputies on a pursuit, according law enforcement.

Deputies say Brown lost control of the vehicle on the 2500 block of Blueberry Drive, striking an unoccupied 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.

Deputies say Brown lost control of the vehicle on the 2500 block of Blueberry Drive, striking an unoccupied 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.(WRDW)

Brown’s vehicle rolled over and he then attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.

Deputies say Brown was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Several criminal charges are forthcoming and the investigation is ongoing.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta, GA Weather Forecast

Published

15 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Get accurate hourly forecasts for today, tonight, and tomorrow, along with 10-day daily forecasts and weather radar for Augusta, GA with MSN Weather. Stay updated on precipitation, severe weather warnings, air quality, and wildfire alerts.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta youth program feels state budget cut heading into new school year

Published

1 day ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

Augusta youth program feels state budget cut heading into new school year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A state budget cut is reducing the number of children Mach Academy can serve.

Faith Henderson, a coach at MACH Academy, said the program offers students more than athletic training.

“It’s not just the physical aspect. It’s the mental, it’s the character, the education. We have so much to offer to these kids and they need it,” Henderson said.

Henderson said she works with students individually through an educational enrichment component of the program.

“I come in with our educational enrichment program so I can give attention to individual students one at a time each day to help get to where they need to be” she said.

Funding cuts reduce enrollment

Michael Harden, president and CEO of MACH Academy, said the budget reduction has cut summer enrollment nearly in half.

“We have served in the past 60 to 70 kids. That reduction has limited us to maybe 30 to 40 kids this summer,” Harden said.

Helen Thomas-Pope, operations manager at MACH Academy, said the cuts are also affecting the program’s ability to prepare students for the upcoming school year.

“What we try to do is help them be prepared when they go back to school. We would like to do that as best we can. But I’m not sure that we’ll be able to be as successful as we have been in the past,” Thomas-Pope said.

Thomas-Pope said the four-day-a-week schedule may also need to change.

“Unfortunately, some kids may not have the opportunity to come out. Currently, our program is four days a week. And we may have to do more of a rotation where not all kids are able to come for the four days,” she said.

Staff commitment

Despite the reduced funding, Henderson said staff remain committed to the program’s mission.

“I grew up here. All of the coaches here, we grew up here or we started with MACH Academy and have come back to give back to MACH Academy because we believe in what MACH Academy does,” she said.

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