AUGUSTA, GA – April 24, 2025 – Dr. Russell T. Keen, Ed.D. was officially invested as the second president of Augusta University on Thursday, April 24, 2025, during a ceremony that brought together federal, state, and local leaders alongside the university community, family, and friends to celebrate his leadership and vision for the institution.
The investiture ceremony, held in Augusta, marked a significant moment for the university. Dr. Keen, an Augusta native and first-generation college graduate, assumed the presidency on July 1, 2024, bringing over two decades of experience within the University System of Georgia (USG). His career includes roles at Georgia Southern University, the University of Georgia, and Augusta University, where he previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to President Brooks A. Keel.
Attendees at the ceremony included a wide array of supporters, from state dignitaries like Speaker of the House Jon Burns, Congressman Rick Allen and Chancellor, Dr. Sonny Perdue to his first-grade teacher, Ms. Jackie Wiggins, highlighting the deep personal and professional connections Dr. Keen holds.
In his investiture address, Dr. Keen expressed profound gratitude, acknowledging the support of the USG Board of Regents, the presidential search committee, and the investiture planning committee. He offered heartfelt thanks to numerous individuals and organizations who contributed to the investiture week's activities and supported his journey, recognizing key sponsors and mentors by name.
Drawing on an analogy of draft horses, Dr. Keen illustrated the power of collaboration. He noted that while a single draft horse can pull 8,000 pounds, two untrained horses might pull 16,000 pounds. However, two horses trained to work together can pull 24,000 pounds, and two trained partners working in sync can pull up to 32,000 pounds – four times what they could individually. He applied this to Augusta University's history, born from the merger of two institutions, and its future, emphasizing the exponential results achievable through teamwork and partnership.
Dr. Keen highlighted the theme of "rising up" throughout his speech, calling upon the university community and its partners to break barriers in areas like disease research, student success, and community engagement. He spoke about the university's recent strides, including a 40% increase in enrollment, a significant rise in total sponsored awards, and a jump in the national ranking of the Medical College of Georgia based on NIH funding.
A prime example of the "rising up" theme in action, Dr. Keen noted, was the collective effort to secure funding for a new translational research building. He announced a $46 million contribution from the community, complemented by a $99.8 million investment included in the state budget by Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Jones, Speaker Burns, and the state legislature – a testament to the power of partnerships.
Keen underscored the importance of collaboration with community partners, from local governments and school boards to businesses and military entities like Fort Eisenhower. He cited the success of the Literacy Center within the Hub for Community Innovation as an example of how partnerships are already making a tangible difference in the lives of students.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Dr. Keen shared lessons learned from his parents on faith, family, friendship, and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of never forgetting where you came from and the people who helped you along the way. He paid tribute to his wife, Karen, calling her his best friend and soulmate, and thanked his children Kaleigh and Brinson along with his family for their unwavering support.
"There are a million dreams in the world," Dr. Keen stated, tying these dreams to the students, patients, families, and communities served by Augusta University and the USG. He expressed confidence that by working together, these dreams – for a student-centered, faculty/staff supported, research-focused university with deep community ties – can become reality.
Concluding his address, Dr. Keen reiterated his commitment to serving Augusta University and the community. "Let us rise up, together, with an increased focus on pulling together and entangled," he urged. "Augusta University. Let's do something extraordinary for this community, for our state, our nation, and humanity."
