An Interview with President Keen: The $99 Million Research Building
Russell T. Keen is the president of Augusta University. (courtesy of Augusta University, used with permission, photo by Michael Holohan)
By Ana McGriff | New editor
Students at Augusta University are no stranger to the influx of emails from various departments and organizations filling their inbox. Most of them are swiped away to be reviewed at a later date. If students noticed, there was one particular email from the Office of the President that included an impressive figure.
On March 6, an email was sent out to the university with the headline, “AU awarded $99.8 million from state of Georgia to help fund new research building.” Such a massive number caught the attention of many.
$99.8 million is no small number, considering it was incorporated into the proposed state budget by Governor Brian Kemp. The newly invested president of AU, Russell T. Keen, EdD., shared how he and his team went about acquiring this funding from the governor.
“We embarked on this campaign to advocate at the state level,” he said. “We were tasked with raising $46 million out of it, as well as proving to the board, chancellors and regents how their support would be beneficial.”
Many metrics and statistics are evaluated throughout the year; things like graduation rates, number of publications coming out of the university and overall costs. These are presented to the chancellor and Board of Regents for the system of Georgia Universities. These officials then bring the reports to the governor’s office for further budget recommendations.
Laying it out requires meticulous planning, preparation and hosting of local senators to acquire such a level of funding. Keen called it a “team effort” and the awarding of funds like “spiking the football.” He also expressed pride in the researchers and discoveries being made at Augusta University, and an eagerness in supporting further research.
“It’s phenomenal work they’re doing,” he said, “and they’re doing it right here. We have people from all over the world.”
For some students, the biggest question surrounding the proposed research building was how it would impact the college. Was it yet another thing awarded to the medical and science-focused campuses?
Keen acknowledged this line of thinking, recognizing its presence among the student body alongside his broader goal for the project.
“To build any good team,” he said, “different perspectives need to be brought to the table. At Augusta University, we aim to bring these different lines of thinking together.”
While the building's completion may be long after current students leave its neighboring halls, it’s no doubt an exciting and notable step in the direction of establishing Augusta University’s prominence among other colleges. An expansion of this magnitude will likely bring positive attention not only state-wide, but more importantly, nationally. While the primary benefit may be to the university’s medical programs, it’s likely to draw in other majors and interests as well.
Keen expressed hope in the proposal’s ability to encourage students, scientists and researchers alike to consider education and furthering careers at Augusta University.
“This is just the beginning of a research agenda,” he said.
Contact Ana McGriff at amcgriff@augusta.edu.