Augusta, GA
Augusta University invests $6M to boost faculty amid enrollment surge
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University announced the investment of $6 million in funding to help keep up with its record-breaking enrollment numbers.
Last fall, university officials announced its highest-ever student enrollment record. Last fall, AU celebrated the enrollment of 10,546 students, an increase of 7.5% over fall 2022 and a 26.6% increase since 2015. Included in that highest-ever number was another record: 1,162 Freshmen.
Now, that number is forcing the university to keep up.
The funding will go towards 43 new faculty, 24 new full-time staff, two temporary positions, and 42 new student-worker positions, as well as the necessary infrastructure to support those individuals.
The funding will also support all areas of enrollment growth through increasing student support in areas like Academic Advisement, the Academic Success Center, and the Center for Writing Excellence.
“As Georgia’s flagship health sciences and medical research university, home of the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, and a national leader in student success, we strive every day to provide our students with an innovative and personalized learning and discovery environment that helps prepare them for the workforce, and our continued enrollment growth reflects that commitment,” said President Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D.
The colleges and departments identified as needing the most immediate faculty and staff additions are the College of Education and Human Development, College of Science and Mathematics, James M. Hull College of Business, Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Enrollment and Student Affairs, Human Resources, the Office of the Vice Provost, and University Libraries.
The university hopes to have these spots filled before the next academic year.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A traffic stop attempt by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office ended in a rollover crash Friday afternoon after the driver refused to stop, authorities said.
Deputies attempted to stop the red 2017 Honda Civic around 2:22 p.m. on Peach Orchard Road near Mike Padgett Highway, according to the sheriff’s office. The driver continued south on Mike Padgett Highway before traveling east on Marvin Griffin Road, deputies said.
The pursuit ended near Marvin Griffin Road and Doug Barnard Parkway when the driver lost control, went into a ditch and crashed through a fence at the Augusta Water Works Wastewater Treatment Facility, according to authorities. The car overturned.
The driver had visible injuries that were described as non-life-threatening and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said warrants will be served after the driver is released from the hospital. Charges are expected to include multiple traffic violations, including felony fleeing or attempting to elude and DUI.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The VA Augusta Healthcare System cut the ribbon on its new emergency ambulance service on Thursday.
The in-house medical transportation program is designed to ensure specialized care for veterans with complex medical needs.
“So we have two new ambulances that we have put into service officially,” said James Doelling, the interim executive director of VA Augusta Healthcare System. “This is for us to be able to, through patient safety and get veterans where they need to be, when they need to be, to make sure we’re given the best care anywhere in our nation’s heroes. We’re really excited. As you are aware, we are the only four star facility in the Augusta area, and this is only going to make us even better and deliver exceptional care to our heroes.”
The VA said it hopes the service will reduce delays and better support veterans.
Photojournalist credit: Dania Alawir
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.
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.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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