One of my favorite Christmas movies is It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie centers around the character George Bailey, who, after a series of unfortunate events, finds himself at a bridge – both actually and symbolically. At a time of despair and hopelessness, George begins to think the world would be better without him. Fortunately, on that bridge George meets an angel named Clarence who helps him see the true value and purpose of his life. This supernatural encounter leaves George exhilarated, with a renewed outlook on life, family and community.
As you approach The Bridge, our quarterly newsletter, I hope you will see the value you bring to Augusta University. I hope that sharing the wonderful things going on around us brings each of us to a place of gratitude and joy for Augusta University, but also for our community, our state, our country, and all the wonderful people who contribute so much to our lives, livelihoods and well-being.
If we were all given a glimpse of what life would be like without Augusta University, or if we could truly see the impact we have as individuals, I believe that we would be just as inspired and excited as George Bailey at the conclusion of the movie. We would be roaming the AU campus and the streets in our neighborhoods expressing gratitude for the unique things and individuals in our community that we often take for granted. We would be shouting greetings to our friends and neighbors, even though we see them routinely, and hurrying home to our families to hold our loved ones tightly. We would know in our hearts that we are truly blessed to have such wonderful lives.
Unlike George Bailey, I do not need an angel encounter to see that Augusta University could not be where it is today or get where it is going without steadfast stakeholders like you. Our teams work hard to position our university for bigger and better things. If you are reading The Bridge, please know that you are a key part of our success.
A plaque on the wall in George's office in the movie reads: "All you can take with you is that which you have given away."
On behalf of our entire team, thank you for everything you have done to help us in our efforts to make Augusta University one of the greatest universities in the nation. I hope that you know what a critical role you play in helping us secure support, funding and friendships. In the movie Clarence says to George, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” I want you to know that without you, we would have an awfully big hole in who we are today as an institution.
Friends, it truly is a wonderful life at Augusta University, and we are so thankful that each of you are in it with us! I hope this edition of The Bridge leaves you with a sense of excitement and renewed commitment to what lies ahead for Augusta University and our community.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Russell T. Keen, EdD
Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff to the President
Representatives of Augusta University collected thousands of items to stock the Open Paws Food Pantry during Days of Service.
Volunteer Services & Community Engagement
Days of Service has incredible impact
More than 1,100 faculty, staff, students and family members of Augusta University joined together to support about 30 community organizations across the CSRA during our 2022 Days of Service projects. From Nov. 1-22, representatives of the Jaguar Nation served hundreds of meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, collected thousands of pounds of nonperishable goods and care items for those in need, and collectively logged over 3,000 hours of service impacting thousands of our fellow community members. A variety of Augusta University departments participated, such as Health Center Credit Union employees, who raised more than $1,700 to purchase digital tablets for residents living at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Students in Professor Roger Duke’s project management courses donated over 1,500 pounds of canned and dry goods for the Open Paws Food Pantry, and a team from the MCG Dean’s Office purchased more than 270 comfort and care items to support patients and families at Augusta University Medical Center. The annual Days of Service campaign connects students, faculty, staff and families with local nonprofits and grassroots organizations to support service projects in the CSRA and inspire the spirit of volunteerism in the AU community. Days of Service is just one of the many ways that Augusta University exemplifies our core values of inclusivity, compassion, leadership, integrity, collegiality and excellence. Watch the Days of Service highlights video.
Healing Arts connect patients, staff, community
Community artists are invited to display their art on the Healing Arts wall inside the Augusta University Medical Center as part of our institution’s Healing Arts Program. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with local artists who share their passion while brightening our hall with lively images. Multiple studies have found a positive connection between engagement with the creative arts and health. Our healing arts exhibits are curated to create an uplifting and hopeful environment for our patients, their families, hospital staff and the community at large. Exhibits may vary in medium, such as photographs, charcoal sketches or paintings, and by theme and size. In 2022, the Healing Arts Gallery has featured a variety of artists including Richard Worth, a local artist; Nina Onuoha, a Medical College of Georgia student; Dr. Bill Lutin, a retired Children’s Hospital of Georgia pediatric cardiologist; and a community group called “The Chicks that Click,” who are female photographers with ties to Augusta University or AU Health. Often, pricing is displayed and pieces can be purchased. A portion of the proceeds then goes back into volunteer programming. To find out more about the program, please contact Volunteer Services & Community Engagement.
The Office of Protocol and Special Events partners with the Summerville Neighborhood Association to host the Lighting of the Tree, which was held Dec. 1, 2022, on AU’s Summerville campus. This annual event started more than 25 years ago by our legacy institution Augusta State University kicks off the holiday season at Augusta University and brings together faculty, staff, students, families and the surrounding community for an evening of activities for everyone, no matter the age. This year nearly 400 attendees enjoyed caroling, arts and crafts, inflatables, food trucks, hot beverages, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an 8-foot tall snowman and artificial snow.
It takes many partners both on and off campus to make this event successful. Community partners include many outstanding vendors such as American Audio Visual, Health Center Credit Union, Sodexo, Luna’s Pizza, Sheila’s Bakery, Jump Central of Augusta and AllStar Tents and Events. Campus partners include the President’s Office, AU Facilities, AU Police, Communications and Marketing, the AU cheerleaders and our mascot Augustus, the Student Government Association, the University Singers, Santa and Mrs. Claus (Shh! Don't tell, but they are actually part of our AU family!), volunteers from Student Life and Engagement, the Lumin Society and the Staff Council, the Wesley Foundation, Pre-Nursing Society, Alpha Chi Omega and Mr. and Miss AU! The event connects our campuses, the community and our students, faculty and staff, while demonstrating the spirit of the holidays. Thanks to everyone who helped us illuminate Augusta University. More tree lighting event pictures.
Fall Commencement held Dec. 17
The Office of Protocol and Special Events is proud to partner with the Registrar’s Office to lead the Commencement operations planning committee, which plans and manages the logistical aspects of Commencement. It is exciting to partner with so many other AU departments, including Facilities, Communications and Marketing, the President’s Office, External Relations, Vice Provost for Instruction and Innovation, Executive IT, Parking, Office of Alumni Affairs, AU Police and the Graduate School to produce an Experience Like No Other for our graduates. Fall Commencement took place Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center with a 3 p.m. undergraduate ceremony and a 6 p.m. graduate ceremony. Commencement celebrates the accomplishments and hopes for the future for all Augusta University graduates and allows administration and faculty, as well as the family and friends of graduates, to celebrate with them in this wonderful tradition. There were more than 600 students across the two events.
Undergraduate Commencement The featured speaker for Fall Commencement for undergraduates was Brad Usry, an Augusta native and alumnus. Usry earned a Bachelor of Business Management degree in 1982 from legacy school Augusta College, where he lettered in basketball for four years. Brad was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1992 and a Distinguished Alumnus of Augusta University Athletics in 2016. He is currently the president of Fat Man’s Hospitality, which he co-owns with his son Havird. If you have eaten at Fat Man's Cafe, the Southern Salad or the iconic Sno-Cap in North Augusta, then you have Brad to thank for providing these popular establishments. Additionally, Brad and his wife Paige recently created a scholarship for the Hull College of Business. Brad is a past foundation board member and an active alumnus, and AU is thankful for his generous support.
Graduate Commencement
Robyn Crittenden delivered the keynote address at the graduate Fall Commencement ceremony. Crittenden received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Law. Crittenden was a public servant to the state of Georgia in a variety of roles, including commissioner of the Department of Human Services and the Secretary of State and most recently as the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue. Currently she is a managing director in Deloitte’s Government and Public Sector practice. Her work focuses on transforming state and local governments to perform more efficiently and effectively. As a public university in the University System of Georgia, Augusta University is thankful for Crittenden's service to Georgia and for speaking to our graduates.
Philanthropy team members and radio partners from iHeartMedia celebrate raising $260,000 for Children's Hospital of Georgia.
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement
'Tis the season for giving
We have many gifts to celebrate during this holiday season. Let's begin with our beloved Children's Hospital. The 22nd annual iHeartMedia Cares for Kids Radiothon was held Dec. 9-11 and raised $260,000 to support vital equipment, research, programs and patient care at Children's Hospital of Georgia. This annual event, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraiser, benefits the more than 75,000 kids who need the specialized pediatric care at Children’s each year. Thanks to iHeartMedia, our TV Partner WRDW-TV News 12 and everyone who volunteered, donated and otherwise supported this year’s radiothon. On another note, we say thanks to the Kisner Foundation for continued funding to support a newpediatric development, behavioral health and wellness center at Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
A gift to improve athletics
We are thankful for donors like Mason McKnight III and his wife Lou who committed $1 million to Augusta University Athletics. The McKnight gift reflects their lifelong passion for sports and Mason’s love for his alma mater, and it will help fund crucial facilities improvements at our athletic complex. To honor this generosity, the softball field will bear the Mason McKnight III family name. The McKnights were motivated to make this gift after seeing the current condition of the grounds outside of Christenberry Fieldhouse. Their desire is to elevate all our athletic programs at the University. An added benefit of field improvements will be mixed use – as the ball field may serve as a venue for concerts, movies and other community events.
A gift to boost education
A gift that marks an exciting milestone at MCG is the establishment of the Melvin L. Haysman, MD, and Mrs. Roberta Kamine-Haysman Stethoscope Fund. The endowment will equip generations of first-year medical students at both the Augusta and Athens campuses with a complimentary MCG-branded stethoscope. The $500,000 commitment to the endowment will ensure generations of first-year medical students receive a stethoscope, the most vital tool for a student entering medical school. This endowment is designed to provide for the Buy A Stethoscope program in concert with the funds raised in the annual appeal for stethoscope donations from other MCG alumni. This gift recognizes Dr. Melvin Haysman (MD ’71) for many years of dedication to the MCG Alumni Association and leadership at the school. He was a past president of the MCG Alumni Association and a board member of the MCG Foundation. More stethoscope photos.
A gift to foster research
Thanks to a $1 million gift from the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, physician scientists at MCG are working to bridge a gap in kidney transplant rejection. Not only does this gift help patients at the namesake Carlos and Marguerite Mason Solid Organ Transplant Center at AU Health but it is fueling the study of a novel, personalized human monitoring system for early transplant rejection detection and clinical trial testing related to pre-transplant selection. Co-investigators Dr. Anatolij Horuzsko, immunology, and Dr. Laura Mulloy, nephrology, shared the potential impact of their research with Fox 54 News. The Mason Trust has given over $16 million to MCG and AU Health over the years to enhance transplant research, education and patient care.
Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement
AU and AUHealth employees also demonstrated their support of our patients and students by contributing nearly $410,000 through the annual IGIVE employee giving campaign, held in September-October. In total, 2,151 employees pledged money to support a variety of needs such as athletics, research, education, students and patient care, demonstrating that the spirit of giving begins within our institution.
Alumni and friends came out in record numbers – over 800 – to attend the 19th annual Augusta U Brew-N-Que on the Summerville campus Oct. 7. Hosted by AU’s Summerville Alumni Society, this event is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and alumni to gather and support AU and its students while raising funds for undergraduate student scholarships. Watch the video recap here.
In November, Annual Giving joined the nationally designated Giving Tuesday (Tuesday after Thanksgiving) to raise funds for two programs at Augusta University. As a result of the generosity of our employees, students, alumni and friends, Augusta University will be able to provide 529 meals to students with food needs through the Open Paws Food Pantry, and AU Health can purchase one additional Butterfly Cart and over $800 in comfort care items for the carts to support patients and their families.
SAVE THE DATE:
Augusta Gives: March 22, 2023
Alumni Weekend: April 28-30, 2023
Foundation News
The MCG Foundation held its annual board retreat in October, which was facilitated by Association of Governing Boards’ Senior Fellow George Watt. The session focused primarily on high-performing boards, governance and university-foundation relations and concluded with a series of action items meant to ensure the foundation’s effectiveness in serving our donors. MCG Foundation leadership also participated in a small group meeting with Dr. Nasser Paydar, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Postsecondary Education, where they discussed meeting student needs, data, organizational change, and serving the underserved. The MCG Foundation and the AU Foundation deeply value our donors and are committed to carefully stewarding your gifts. Furthermore, we invite you to view our 2022 AU Foundation Annual Report and the MCG Foundation Annual Report for financial information related to our portfolios and a sampling of our amazing donor stories. You can also visit our Inspiring Stories page online to learn more about how our donors make a difference.
While election results may change the landscape and shuffle power, Augusta University's Government Relations team and university leadership will continue building strong relationships, old and new, to further the mission and impact of AU and AU Health. Congratulations to all newly elected state and federal officials! We look forward to working with you for the benefit of our nation, state and institution.
Election Updates
Georgia’s U.S. House delegation now has five democrats and nine republicans. This is a change from the previous delegation that had six democrats and eight republicans. Changes to Georgia’s delegation include newly elected Representatives Mike Collins (GA-10) who replaced U.S. Rep. Jody Hice. Also new to the delegation is Rich McCormick (GA-6) who replaced U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bordeaux, who lost in the democratic primary to U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-7). Control of the U.S. House went to Republicans by a very narrow margin and control of the U.S. Senate went to Democrats by an even more narrow margin. The final election for U.S. Senate in Georgia was won by incumbent U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock who defeated challenger Herschel Walker in a December runoff.
Governor Brian Kemp was re-elected, and Burt Jones is Georgia's new lieutenant governor. Additionally, there are 43 new incoming state house members and 10 new state senators. Newly elected State Representative Lynn Gladney, representing district 130 in Augusta, will replace retiring Rep. Sheila Clarke-Nelson. Due to the unfortunate passing of Speaker of the House David Ralston, there will be changes in State House leadership. Currently, the Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones is serving as Speaker. In early January, Speaker-Elect Jon Burns will formally take the gavel. Also, due to the passing of State Representative Wayne Howard, a special election will be held Dec. 20 to fill his seat. Both Speaker Ralston and Rep. Wayne Howard were longtime friends of Augusta University, and they will be greatly missed.
Looking Ahead to 2023
Please join us in welcoming Meghana (Meg) Raj, a student legislative intern, to the Government Relations team. Meg is a junior at Augusta University in the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She is currently working with Augusta Public Defense. She will be an asset to the team and will be based with us in Atlanta for the duration of the legislative session. The Georgia General Assembly will return to Atlanta on Jan. 9, and our State Government Relations team will track all activities and legislation affecting the university and the health system throughout the duration. For weekly updates on all our legislative news, we invite you to subscribe to our Capitol Connection newsletter.
Augusta University, which recorded the second-highest percentage of growth in the system, is one of just eight of the 26 institutions within USG to show growth to begin this academic year.
For years, Ghazal Foroutan has been interested in design activism and using art as a tool to protest injustices around the world, particularly the suppression of Iranian women.
When Augusta University animation students Emily Hogue and Jordan Womack began creating a short video for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement encouraging students to donate to worthy causes during TAG Day this month, they wanted to capture the impact of giving.
Ryan Erlacher believes Augusta University has all of the necessary ingredients for a national Top 10 athletics program, and that’s just one of the many reasons that brought him to Augusta.Mas
The Office of Protocol and Special Events partners with the Summerville Neighborhood Association to host the Lighting of the Tree, which was held Dec. 1, 2022, on AU’s Summerville campus. This annual event started more than 25 years ago by our legacy institution Augusta State University kicks off the holiday season at Augusta University and brings together faculty, staff, students, families and the surrounding community for an evening of activities for everyone, no matter the age. This year nearly 400 attendees enjoyed caroling, arts and crafts, inflatables, food trucks, hot beverages, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an 8-foot tall snowman and artificial snow.
Please join us in welcoming 
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