Inside Keel's AU presidency

By Rakiyah Lenon | Editor in chief

“This is a bittersweet decision, there’s no doubt about it.”

Those are the words of Augusta University President Brooks Keel on his upcoming retirement, with the spring 2024 semester being his last semester as president.

Keel’s presidency took place at a time when AU experienced much change, most notably with bringing back the name Augusta to the institution, which was then called Georgia Regents University. Keel led AU through an increase in student enrollment, new degree programs and the recent merger on the health side of the institution.

Keel, an Augusta native, said he and his wife carefully thought over the choice to retire, but the time is right to move on to the next chapter of their lives.

“I wanted to retire when things were going well, and when I can leave feeling good about things here and feeling good about the progress and I think the time is now,” he said.

Keel said that though AU will always remain dear to him, new leadership will be important for the institution. “There’s a very special place in my heart for this place. It has been since I graduated from here almost 40 years ago and that will never change,” he said. “But you know, old presidents don’t need to hang around...whoever takes over my place can come in and hit the ground running and then put their own ideas and visions in terms of the best place for this to go.”

On Nov. 9, The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia named members of a presidential search committee.

USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said, “He (Keel) is leaving Augusta University in very good shape, and our national search must find a new leader with the right skills, energy and understanding of how to keep it on track to being the best university of its kind in the nation.”

Students, faculty, staff and community members alike are also invited to participate in the search for a new president, with several listening sessions scheduled Dec. 6-7 on both campuses. Attendants can join in-person or virtually.

According to the search committee, participants can voice their thoughts and their input would be shared with the committee as they evaluate candidates. In all, Keel said AU has a bright future ahead.

“The best we’re going to achieve are things we haven’t even thought of yet,” he said. “We really can’t wait to see where this university goes.”

Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.

This story is published in the Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 print edition of The Bell Ringer on page 3.