Augusta, GA

Sole finalist named for Augusta University presidency

Published

7 months ago

June 6, 2024

Sole finalist named for Augusta University presidency

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted Thursday to name an internal candidate, Dr. Russell T. Keen, as the sole finalist for president of Augusta University.

Keen currently serves as executive vice president for administration and chief of staff to the president at AU, where he’s served in an executive leadership role since July 2015.

He’s set to succeed Dr. Brooks Keel, who’s retiring from the post at the end of the month.

”As a native of the Augusta area, Dr. Keen understands the challenge of maintaining AU’s momentum in the climb from good to better to best as a research university and innovator in medical higher education,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said.

A first-generation college student and a Georgia Southern graduate, Keen has worked within the university system for over 22 years.

Before joining AU, Keen spent 13 years working at Georgia Southern, where he held several administrative positions, including vice president for external affairs and vice president of governmental relations and community engagement.

He also worked as the major gifts officer at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia.

At Keel’s final State of the University address a few days ago, Keen noted how much progress the school has made in recent years.

“If you look at where we were in 2015 to where we are today,” he said. “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.

In the five years before Keel arrived enrollment at AU it decreased 3% every year, Keen noted.

“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.

Twin foals were born at UGA's veterinary hospital on Monday, May 27, 2024, said horse owner...

”Russell is an obvious choice to lead AU,” said Regent Jim Hull, chairman of the presidential search committee.

Hull said Keen has “the unique combination of experience and drive to jumpstart the university’s growth and its continued contributions to health sciences education and translational research in Georgia.”

Hull noted that AU has a unique opportunity with Wellstar Health System to improve Georgians’ clinical health care outcomes. AU Health, which previously operated the dull-service AU Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Georgia, partnered with WellStar for operation of the hospitals and associated health care network.

“Russell is the right leader to work strategically with faculty, staff, students and Wellstar to transform lives and create more opportunity to save lives and collaborate with other research universities in Georgia,” Hull said.

Keen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an M.Ed. in higher education administration from Georgia Southern. He earned an Ed.D. in higher education management from UGA. He serves with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club of Augusta and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Karen, have two children and live in Augusta.

Keel has helmed AU since July 2015, during which time he oversaw significant growth in enrollment and funding, and was previously president at Georgia Southern University, where he and Keen first met.

”It is an immense privilege to be considered for this position, and I’m grateful to the board and Chancellor Perdue for their confidence in me,” Keen said. “My time on campus and in Augusta has prepared me for a seamless transition into this role, and I would be honored to continue the legacy of a president I consider a mentor.”

The Board will take action on the position at a future board meeting no sooner than five days from naming a finalist.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

14 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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