James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 25
Dr. Russell T. Keen became president of Augusta University last July 1st, culminating a 23-year
career in the University System of Georgia. He previously served as AU’s executive vice president
for administration and chief of staff to the president, and before that, he held roles at Georgia
Southern University and the University of Georgia.
Keen, a proud first-generation college student whose family has lived in Augusta for generations,
holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University and an EdD in higher education management from UGA. He serves on numerous boards, including the Augusta Metro Chamber
of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Augusta and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
WHEN I ARRIVED to interview President Russell Keen at his office in late
November, the Augusta area and Augusta University campuses were recovering from severe devastation caused
by Hurricane Helene. This was clearly
on his mind, and it prompted my first
question. I asked him to provide an
update on how AU addressed the campus damage and disruption and how it
was bouncing back.
“We had a number of people from
several University System of Georgia
institutions that immediately helped
out with personnel and supplies,” Keen
replied. “Georgia College and State
University President Cathy Cox and
her husband personally delivered food
to students. Chancellor Perdue and his
staff surveyed the damage by helicopter and then toured our Augusta campuses to get a first-hand perspective of
what kind of support we needed. I can’t
say enough about how the system office and the Board of Regents helped us
with needs during the immediate
crisis and with our recovery.”
“Students in our residence
halls had no power or internet,”
Keen explained. Regent Jim Syfan
with Syfan Logistics and his son
Steve helped bring in a truck of
water and non-perishables for our
students. They also sent a tractor
trailer full of food that we handed out
to our students, faculty and staff. And
we partnered with Wellstar to do the
same with their employees. The Syfans then sent additional truckloads of
food, and we were able to feed countless people. I can’t say enough about
the Syfans and all this help from other
people. It was a real, faith-based spirit
of giving to help us in a time of need.”
“In the aftermath of the storm,” the
president said, “we still had students
in their residential buildings where the
power went out.
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