Inauguration Week, from April 21-26, 2025, celebrated the investiture of Russell T. Keen as Augusta University's second president. A series of special events marked the historic occasion.
All Augusta University faculty, staff, and students were invited to join President Keen and the First Lady for an afternoon of ice cream, coffee and conversations on the Boardman Patio at Harrison Education Commons.
All faculty, staff, students and members of the Augusta community, celebrated the past, present, and future of Augusta University with the traditional toast at the fountain during Inauguration Week. Guests raised their glasses to the university’s continued success and honored new president Russell T. Keen. Following the Toast at the Fountain, all guests were invited to enjoy the AU Wind Ensemble Performance at Maxwell Theatre.
The Augusta University Wind Ensemble is the university’s premier wind band, comprised of the finest performers on campus. Led by director Isaac Brinberg, DMA, the Wind Ensemble performed a commemorative collection of songs. Wycliffe Gordon, world-renowned trombonist and the director of jazz studies at Augusta University, closed out the evening with a surprise performance to honor the president and first lady.
The investiture ceremony of Augusta University President Russell T. Keen signified the beginning of the next chapter of leadership for the university. The ceremony presented an opportunity for the university and community to witness the formal installation of the new leader. The ceremony featured academic traditions, speakers, music and remarks by the president.
The President’s Brunch is a casual, family-friendly annual event during Alumni Weekend with food and activities for alumni. Admission is free and included plenty of food and activities for children!
Russell T. Keen began serving as the president of Augusta University on July 1, 2024. A first-generation college student raised in Augusta, Georgia, Keen earned a Doctor of Education in higher education management from the University of Georgia. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University.
Keen’s career in higher education has spanned over 23 years within the University System of Georgia, including Georgia Southern University, the University of Georgia, and Augusta University. He began work at Georgia Southern University in 2001 as director of annual giving. While continuing to pursue higher levels of education, Keen progressively advanced in his professional roles and responsibilities in advancement and external relations. Throughout his career and across Georgia, Keen has developed a strong record of building meaningful relationships with stakeholders and securing resources for scholarships, programs, and capital projects for the benefit of the students, faculty, and staff at the institutions where he has served.
Read MoreAugusta University’s First Lady Karen Keen was born and raised in Millen, Georgia, where her passion for education began at an early age. She progressed through Jenkins County Public Schools before attending Georgia Southern University as a first-generation college student and earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
Two weeks after graduating from Georgia Southern, at the convincing of a close friend, Karen agreed to go on a “blind date” with a young man who had also recently graduated from the university. Within two years, she married Russell Keen and they set out to make a life together with hearts of service and the aim of creating a home full of faith and joy.
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Write or record a congratulatory message for the president to commemorate his investiture and inauguration week. These messages and videos will be compiled and shared with the president and first lady to remember this historic moment.
With sincere appreciation to those who helped make this investiture possible
Mr. Nick and Mrs. Beth Evans
We want to thank all of the volunteers and Augusta University community for their time and talents on the planning of a successful inauguration.
A commitment to effective teaching and engaged learning is our long-held mission, supported with an openness to ever-changing methods, fresh courses, modern facilities, evolving degree programs and innovative collaborations – plus hands-on, real-world, whole-hearted instruction that expands impact and access.
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We are determined to build a culture of greater philanthropy and financial sustainability. More importantly, we are dedicated to building relationships with alumni; benefactors from across the city, the state and the region; and career contributors who are working, building and giving right here on our campus.