Augusta University
Russell T. Keen, EdD
One of my favorite television shows as a child was “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” I was fascinated by Mr. Rogers. My admiration and respect for him has only grown throughout my life. My senior year at Lakeside High School in Evans, I had an assignment in Mr. Barney’s history class to provide an oral report on a historical or significant figure in American History. I chose Fred Rogers.I remember there being an extra credit opportunity if we did exceptionally well on the assignment, so I stored a sweater and pair of shoes in the closet of Mr. Barney’s class. When it was my turn to give the report, I left the room and came in singing, flipping the shoe at just the right time, and welcoming the class to my television neighborhood while I gave an account of Fred Rogers’ life, in character. I must have watched the intro to “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” 50 times to get all the mannerisms just right. I’ll never forget the look on my fellow classmates’ faces. Some had a bit of a laugh at first, but then everyone seemed to have nostalgic smiles on their faces. Mr. Rogers had this magnetic pull for my generation. You just had to watch.He had the most gentle way of connecting with children and provided much-needed perspective and safety while discussing some of the most difficult and sometimes awkward topics. He was a person who dedicated his life to helping children and humanity. Whether it was his trip to Moscow just two years before the end of the cold war in 1987 to appear on a Russian children’s program or emphasizing empathy and acceptance when he hosted a quadriplegic child in a wheelchair, Mr. Rogers conveyed to children that we truly are all in this together. 
He built bridges of trust, goodwill, and friendship that traversed barriers others would not dare to cross, like the groundbreaking episode in 1969, when he invited Francois Clemmons, an African American actor who portrayed a police officer, to join him in soaking his feet in the same pool of water during a time when integrated swimming pools were the controversy of the day. The episode was re-created in 1993 and the camera panned to a brief moment where Mr. Rogers is actually washing the feet of Officer Clemmons. Mr. Rogers made people feel loved and that they belonged. He encouraged them to love themselves and each other … like neighbors. As we celebrate the holidays and remember tenets of faith, hope, and love, let us approach each other in the way Fred Rogers taught through the years. Fred Rogers received an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In his acceptance speech, he captivated the audience with these words:
“So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven.All of us have special ones who have loved us into being.Would you just take along with me 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are — those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life?Ten seconds of silence.I’ll watch the time.[silence observed]Whomever you’ve been thinking about — how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made. You know, they’re the kind of people television does well to offer our world.”
For Augusta University, it truly is a beautiful day in the neighborhood. We dedicate ourselves to improving the lives of students, faculty, staff, and, yes, our neighbors. We have been so richly blessed by our generous donors, our community, our elected local, state, and federal officials, the Georgia Board of Regents, and the University System of Georgia. Augusta University is a distinctive leader in health sciences and student success. We are the only university in the country with more than $50 million in National Institutes of Health funding while also being part of the U.S. Cyber Command’s Academic Engagement Network and in the top 5% of universities that improve economic outcomes for lower and moderate income graduates. Mr. Rogers’ words ring so very true at AU. So many people have helped us get to this point. Some of you are here. Some of you are far away. Some are in heaven. You have loved us into being who we are as a university today. You have cared for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and stakeholders, and you have wanted the very best for Augusta University. I hope that you know the difference you have made and continue to make by supporting Augusta University.Your commitment to be our neighbor and help us build bridges to and from Augusta University wherever you are, is the greatest gift we could ever ask for or receive.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Russell T. Keen, EdDEVP for Administration and External Relations & Chief of Staff to the President P.S. I did get the extra credit from Mr. Barney.
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