Augusta, GA
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Mother’s Day concert brings gospel music to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several artists came together for a Mother’s Day concert Bethel Community Church Family Life Center.
Lucresha Thomas with Psalm 100 Entertainment said the event honors mothers.
“I think that is very important to honor the mothers because there’s some people that don’t have mothers due, the mothers passing away and mothers not being local,” Thomas said. “So this helps bring them together and they’re able to fellowship with other mothers and just be positive, bringing some gospel to the community where they can fellowship together, be blessed and maybe receive a blessing.”
Host Tommy Ingram said groups from across the area participated in the concert.
“We got a live, a lot of groups coming from all over the area to make sure that all the mothers in the area have a good time today,” Ingram said.
Host Adrian Monet said the free concert gives back to the community.
“Well, okay, yeah, a lot of mothers enjoy some good gospel singing. They love gospel concerts,” Monet said. “And this one is a give back, you know, to the community because it’s completely free. And so it’s a chance for people to bring their mothers to enjoy the music that they love so much.”
Erica and Jessica Harris, co-owners of Sophisticated Soul Food, said they wanted to celebrate mothers.
“Okay, we’re out here today for this pre-Mother’s Day event, and we’re just, we just want to give back to the community and celebrate all mothers,” the co-owners said. “And so we’re so excited to be out here. And we have great soul food for everybody that wants to come out.”
Kenneth Medlock, Tyrell Gibson and Gary Durham of The Country Boys, a gospel group from Thomson, said they were honored to participate.
“So we’re just so grateful to be here and honored to be able to stand up and let the world know how good God is through our songs and our praise,” the group said.
Anthony Gallant and Lamont McDowell, members of a gospel group from the Carolinas, said celebrating mothers is important.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s extremely important because mothers work hard throughout the year. They’re very diligent,” Gallant and McDowell said. “And I think at least if you could celebrate them one time, just make them feel special and that the queens that they are, I think it’s important and they’ll feel that love.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident
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Augusta, GA
Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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