Stephen Ross once said, “Sports is the common denominator in the world that brings everyone together.”
In many instances sports and athletics have served as the great convener and bridge builder throughout the ages all over the world. Augusta University athletics has served our university and community in much the same way.
It is often stated that athletics is the front porch of a university which is the impetus for future students, parents, and other stakeholders to step up and look into the windows of what a college or university has to offer. As we continue to develop and grow Augusta University’s academic offerings and programs, we must continue to find ways to enhance our “front porch” known as AU Athletics.
In this edition of The Bridge, we highlight some of our spring athletic programs in hopes that you will be inspired to contribute to the spirit of collegiate athletics and become a true jaguar fanatic. As you scroll through the stories below you will find that our entire team has been hard at work building bridges all over this state.
I am personally grateful to all of you who have taken time to demonstrate your support to both our athletic teams and our External Relations team. We have much to be proud of and we simply could not do any of this without your steadfast support.
Sincerely,
Russell T. Keen, EdD
Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff to the President
Check out these athletics highlights
Keep up with all AU Athletics teams, rosters and schedules at AugustaJags.com.
In February, local businessman Rich Henderson donated funds to build a new locker room for the baseball team.
A new plaza, concessions building, expanded seating, new dugouts, scoreboards and field upgrades are are part of ongoing athletic improvements at the ballfields made possible, in part, by donors like the Mason McKnight III family.
Utilities workers began installing light poles at the ballfields in mid-March, which means AU can host more home games next year – after dark for the first time!
There are several opportunities to cheer on the men’s baseball and ladies softball teams during home games in April.
Advocating for our institution The locally elected House and Senate members of the General Assembly meet in Atlanta for a 40-day legislative session to make new laws, edit existing laws and, most importantly, to adopt an annual state budget. The AU Office of Government Relations works each day to build relationships and advocate on behalf of the university and the state’s academic medical center. The team includes MargieMiller, AVP of Government Relations, Monty Philpot, director of Federal Relations, Ashton Blackwood, state director, and Luke Ray, assistant director of State Relations. In addition, the team has the assistance of a student intern, Meghana Raj, a Pamplin College junior (pre-law), and Detra Brown, with the Area Health Education Center (AHEC), who assists with bill reports and tracking legislation.
EMR funding passes A recent win for this team’s efforts is the passage of an amended fiscal year 2023 budget that includes $105 million in funding for a state-of-the-art electronic medical record system to support medical education and training at the Medical College of Georgia and to improve patient care at AU Health. The governor’s approval was a huge first step, but the team, along with university leadership, also worked to educate members of the Appropriations Committee, Chamber leadership and majority and minority caucuses to reinforce the need to maintain this funding. These efforts took a considerable amount of time but were successful.
MCG receives $2M for Southwest hub U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) presented a ceremonial check Feb. 21 to Augusta University’s Southwest Campus of the Medical College of Georgia representing the $2 million in federal funding the congressman secured for the campus as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 funding bill. MCG will use the funds to create a primary care workforce training hub that will help provide more physicians and medical professionals to work in and serve rural and underserved communities, particularly in Southwest Georgia.
Tracking legislation In addition to budget work, the team has been working and tracking several bills through the Chambers in hopes of receiving final passage. A few of those measures are a new loan forgiveness program for nurse faculty, which would benefit the College of Nursing, a change in health benefit policy coverage for biomarker testing, which impacts the efforts and research of the Georgia Cancer Center, and various needs-based financial aid programs, which may impact undergraduate students. Some measures negatively impact our institution and the team works to block them, such as a recent measure to change certificate of need requirements which govern hospital construction and modifications.
Day at the Capitol Augusta University Day at the Capitol was held March 1 to thank legislators and their staff for their efforts under the Gold Dome for Georgia as well as those efforts that support Augusta University. Specifically this year the group advocated for electronic medical record funding. Guests at the Capitol included Augusta University Foundation Trustees, Children's Hospital of Georgia Philanthropy Board members, Dr. Matthew Lyon (served as the Medical Association of Georgia Legislative Doctor of the Day), Dee Mallory, SGA President, and other AU leaders and staff. During the visit to the Georgia State Capitol, the group heard from Speaker Jon Burns, Senator Ben Watson, an MCG alum, and Representative Butch Parrish, all long-time supporters of Augusta University. In addition, there was a group photo with Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, and recognition in the House of Representatives by the Richmond County Delegation to round out the visit. See the photo gallery.
This golf tee sculpture was given by Nick Evans in honor of his wife Beth (pictured here with the Evans family) and Don Grantham.
Protocol & Special Events
Teeing up support for athletics
The Office of Protocol and Special Events collaborated with External Relations and Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to organize a special celebration on March 6 at Forest Hills Golf Club. If you get a chance to go over there, be sure to get a photo of the new 30-foot-long golf tee sculpture given by Nick Evans Jr. (a 1968 Jaguar golfer) in honor of his wife Beth, a longtime AU golf supporter, and the honorable Don Grantham, committee chairman at Forest Hills and the man credited with helping save the course and making it the home for Augusta Jaguars golf since 1979. The golf tee sculpture, created by Ed Durant and painted by Cole Phail, commemorates 45 years of AU golf history at Forest Hills. The event drew a crowd of nearly 200, including Henrik Norlander, from Sweden, who helped propel our Jaguars to back-to-back national titles in 2010 and 2011. A PGA Tour golfer since 2011, Norlander resides in Augusta with his wife Julie and their two children.
Bridging student opportunities
The Office of Protocol and Special Events set the stage for Augusta University and Augusta Technical College leaders to sign a new partnership agreement that will help students move toward earning bachelor’s degrees. Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel and Provost Neil MacKinnon hosted ATC President Jermaine Whirl and Provost Melissa Frank-Alston on the Summerville Campus on Jan. 25, 2023, for the official signing of the AU/ATC Transfer Articulation Agreement. Faculty, staff and students gathered to hear more about this collaborative program, which will allow any student in good standing from Augusta Technical College, who has completed the coursework necessary to achieve an AAS/AS degree, to transition into a chosen program at Augusta University. Students will be allowed to transfer up to 62 hours of credit toward any BA/BS degree offered by AU. Recognizing the need to offer programs that will produce globally competitive students, the institutions are committed to serve and facilitate a student’s ability to transfer into a degree program while becoming an alumnus of both institutions.
Protocol expert leads workshop
The Office of Protocol and Special Events hosted 45 partners from departments and units across the enterprise for a biannual protocol seminar March 2 in the Jaguar Student Activities Center. More than 20 areas of the institution were representedfrom academic departments to shared services and externally facing units. Guest lecturer Melissa Stires, a Certified Advanced International Protocol Officer and Life and Success Coach, facilitated the workshop, covering topics that included diplomacy, protocol, communication and cultural competency, incorporating written materials, slides and practical activities for small groups and individuals. Perhaps a workshop favorite, attendees were asked to share their current theme song and explain why they chose it. As participants around the room shared their music selections, it became apparent that songs connect people. Another exercise provided the opportunity for each participant to create, share and fine-tune professional and personal elevator pitches for building quick connections with others. An effective elevator pitch equips employees to be better ambassadors for Augusta University.
JagPulse, a software program that pairs volunteers with community organizations for service, launched in January.
Volunteer Services & Community Engagement
JagPulse strengthens community connections
Connecting Augusta University students with community-based learning and service opportunities is now easier with the launch of JagPulse in January. JagPulse is AU's dynamic new online community engagement platform. Launch events were held across our campuses, and more than 200 students experienced the efficiency and immediacy of having digital community connections at their fingertips. The software powering JagPulse allows students, as well as faculty and staff, to identify and track volunteer service opportunities throughout our neighboring communities. JagPulse can also match an individual volunteer with opportunities that meet his or her interests. JagPulse provides area nonprofits with a virtual front door to connect with thousands of potential volunteers at AU. More than 70 amazing nonprofit community partners have already joined the JagPulse platform, and many have posted volunteer opportunities. Please check out our existing community partners on the JagPulse site under the Affiliates tab. Let us know of any nonprofit community organizations who are not listed and may be a great fit for our student volunteers by emailing us at community@augusta.edu. We are excited to continue to make our community stronger and better through our AU spirit of service.
Four-legged volunteers bring comfort and smiles
The AU Pet Therapy Furry Friends program allows certified pet therapy dogs and their handlers to provide moments of comfort and peace to patients, families, guests and employees. Our team partners with trained, certified (Alliance of Therapy Dogs) community volunteers to facilitate regular visits to our AU Health System locations, including AU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Georgia Cancer Center, Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and the patient clinics inside the Medical Office Building. Each month these four-legged volunteers (and their skilled handlers) engage hundreds of patients, visitors and the health care professionals helping create a positive patient and family experience by eliciting big smiles and delivering warm comfort to everyone they encounter. Studies have shown that pet therapy can promote comfort and lift spirits for patients, families and staff, andour team is thrilled to facilitate this fun and rewarding program that connects our community with the AU patient mission.
Augusta University held its fourth annual Augusta Gives event March 23, a designated day of giving for our supporters to contribute to special initiatives at Augusta University and AU Health System. Augusta Gives is the largest one-day fundraiser to benefit Augusta University. Donations for this community-funded initiative are driven by social media posts and shares by students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university, as well as some of the university’s most dedicated supporters who choose to make major gifts on this day. This year’s event raised more than $1.5 million with more than 790 donors, the highest number of donors in the four-year history of Augusta Gives.
Baseball team to get new locker room
Business owner and sports fan Rich Henderson recently demonstrated his appreciation for baseball and Augusta University baseball coach Chris Howell by pledging $250,000 toward a new baseball locker room. Henderson, president and CEO of Jani-King of Augusta, has seen many college sports facilities through his sponsorship of the Peach Belt Conference. As such, he was inspired to help new Athletics Director Ryan Erlacher and Coach Howell meet their goal of establishing one of the best baseball facilities in the country.
PGA Tour golfers give to Children's Hospital
The Kevin and Brittany Kisner Foundation gave $1.2 million to Children's Hospital of Georgia in late March as part of the foundation's $5.3 million pledge to create the Kisner Foundation & Friends Center for Pediatric Development, Behavioral Health and Wellness. Children's health is a major focus for this non-profit started by Aiken native and PGA Tour golfer Kevin Kisner and his wife Brittany, who worked at Children's for several years as a speech pathologist. During Masters Week in Augusta, the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation of Dallas, Texas, announced the selection of Children’s Hospital of Georgia as one of its 2023 community partner grant recipients. The Spieth Foundation grant will help fund a full-time social worker and travel expenses for pediatric cancer patients and their families at Georgia’s second largest children’s hospital. Jordan Spieth won both the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2015. Children's is thankful to benefit from the gifts of these golfers' foundations.
Alumni Engagement activities abound
Homecoming Weekend kicked off Feb. 19 with fireworks at the D. Douglas Barnard Amphitheater on the Summerville Campus followed by a late-night brunch called Prada & Pancakes at the Jaguar Student Activity Center. Other homecoming activities included a cookout, dance competition and a Lyceum Series event featuring Step Afrika!. The week culminated with Jaguar Nation’s women’s and men’s basketball games at Christenberry Fieldhouse and the coronation of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen. Just a few days later, more than 50 Medical College of Georgia alumni and friends attended a reception in Macon on Feb. 21, following the MCG Alumni Association Board of Directors’ meeting, where Brandon McCray, vice president for Development in Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, and Dean David Hess, MD, presented to the group. An MCG alumni reception in Columbus was held March 9, and Dr. Champ Baker (MD '22), incoming MCG Alumni Association president, shared remarks. Dean Hess also greeted the group, which included new graduates as well as seasoned alumni such as longtime supporter Dr. Cecil Whitaker (MD '62) and his wife Terry. Alumni Engagement looks forward to hosting the 2023 Alumni Weekendscheduled April 28-30.
Foundation News
USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue was the guest speaker at the AU Foundation board meeting that preceded a legislative reception hosted by the foundation at the Georgian Terrace. After the reception, board trustees partnered with the Children's Hospital of Georgia Philanthropy Board members for small group dinners with legislators and staff on Feb. 28. AU representatives visited the Capitol on March 1, where they met with several members of the legislature and discussed issues relevant to the university, MCG and AU Health System. The team met briefly and had a photo taken with Gov. Brian Kemp and attended the house session, where the speaker recognized the AU Foundation board for their participation and service. As part of the gallery, the group also observed the passage of HB 308, revising tax credits for medical preceptorships. Favored guests accompanying the AU team included Augustus, AU Athletics mascot, and Nugget, a Children's Hospital facility dog. For photos click here and view the gallery in the Government Relations section.
Students, faculty and fans of Augusta University Athletics will experience an exciting new environment when entering Christenberry Fieldhouse and watching games at Jaguar Field.
The Jaguars will play April 2-4 in the Chattanooga Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before playing April 17-19 in the Southland Conference Championship in Frisco, Texas.
A three-time All-American, an All-American scholar and a two-time national champion, his legacy with the Jaguars has been etched into the history books.
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U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) presented a ceremonial check Feb. 21 to Augusta University’s Southwest Campus of the Medical College of Georgia representing the 
The Office of Protocol and Special Events collaborated with External Relations and Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to organize a special celebration on 
The Office of Protocol and Special Events set the stage for Augusta University and Augusta Technical College leaders to sign a 
The Office of Protocol and Special Events hosted 45 partners from departments and units across the 
The AU Pet Therapy Furry Friends program allows certified pet therapy dogs and their handlers to provide moments of comfort and peace to patients, families, guests and employees. Our team partners with trained, certified (Alliance of Therapy Dogs) community volunteers to facilitate regular visits to our AU Health System locations, including AU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Georgia Cancer Center, Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and the patient clinics inside the Medical Office Building.
Business owner and sports fan Rich Henderson recently demonstrated his appreciation for baseball and Augusta University baseball coach Chris Howell by pledging $250,000 toward a new baseball locker room. Henderson, president and CEO of Jani-King of Augusta, has seen many college sports facilities through his sponsorship of the Peach Belt Conference. As such, he was inspired to help new Athletics Director Ryan Erlacher and Coach Howell meet their goal of establishing one of the best baseball facilities in the country.
The 
Homecoming Weekend kicked off Feb. 19 with fireworks at the D. Douglas Barnard Amphitheater on the Summerville Campus followed by a late-night brunch called Prada & Pancakes at the Jaguar Student Activity Center. Other homecoming activities included a cookout, dance competition and a Lyceum Series event featuring Step Afrika!. The week culminated with Jaguar Nation’s women’s and men’s basketball games at Christenberry Fieldhouse and the coronation of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen. Just a few days later, 
USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue was the guest speaker at the AU Foundation board meeting that preceded a legislative reception hosted by the foundation at the Georgian Terrace. After the reception, board trustees partnered with the Children's Hospital of Georgia Philanthropy Board members for small group dinners with legislators and staff on Feb. 28. AU representatives visited the Capitol on March 1, where they met with several members of the legislature and discussed issues relevant to the university, MCG and AU Health System. The team met briefly and had a photo taken with Gov. Brian Kemp and attended the house session, where the speaker recognized the AU Foundation board for their participation and service. As part of the gallery, the group also observed the passage of HB 308, revising tax credits for medical preceptorships. Favored guests accompanying the AU team included Augustus, AU Athletics mascot, and Nugget, a Children's Hospital facility dog. For 
