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, EdD
EVP for Administration and External Relations & Chief of Staff to the President
Augusta University has experienced unprecedented growth under Dr. Keel’s leadership over the last seven years, and for the first time in school history, surpassed the 10,000 student mark with an enrollment of 10,546 students. This milestone is a significant bridge to the 16X30 (16,000 enrollment by 2023) strategic goal. The Office of Protocol & Special Events recently worked with the Provost’s Office and the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs to celebrate this achievement with students and to recognize the five colleges with the most growth.
A trio of AU cheerleaders (pictured) were among dozens of attendees who frolicked in artificial snow blowing through the Summerville Campus during the annual Lighting of the Tree on Nov. 30. The Office of Protocol & Special Events partnered with the Summerville Neighborhood Association for this family-friendly event for students, staff and the community. Festive goodies, music, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the official flip of the switch by President Keel to light the tree, as well as a new vendor holiday market were part of the activities.
Volunteer Services & Community Engagement recently coordinated Augusta University’s Days of Service campaign, an annual call for volunteerism and community service. Running from Nov. 1-21 this year, volunteers from AU read books to over 200 elementary school students, cleaned and restored more than 20 public sculptures and monuments, prepared and served over 500 meals, and provided 1,000+ collective man hours repairing, cleaning, and restoring local rivers, waterways, gardens, and historic sites. Thanks to everyone who served our community.
Volunteers turn appreciation event into giving opportunity for Child Enrichment
A special holiday appreciation event was hosted in December to honor volunteers who support the patient and student missions at Augusta University. Since July, volunteers have contributed over 1,900 hours of service to our patients, families, students and staff. In the true spirit of the season, volunteers generously donated supplies to Child Enrichment, a valued community partner who is committed to providing care and support for abused and neglected children. These gifts are sure to bring smiles to the faces of more than 60 children this holiday season. What big hearts our volunteers have!
Peach State gives $2.2M to MCG 3+ and new DCG rural health initiative
The MCG 3+ Primary Care Pathway recently received a tremendous boost to ensure the availability of physicians in underserved areas in Georgia. Centene Foundation and Peach State Health Plan have made a generous $2.2 million combined commitment to Augusta University to support the Medical College of Georgia, which they have done previously. In addition, a portion of the gift will help jumpstart a rural dentistry initiative at the Dental College of Georgia aimed at placing more dentists in Georgia where these services are lacking.
Augusta University employees contributed a remarkable $376,148 to the IGIVE employee campaign in 2023, an increase of $17,673, or 5%, over last year. Donor numbers were up as well, with 1,498 employees making a commitment, an increase of 118 individuals, or 8%, over 2022 gifts and pledges. And, finally, an astounding 65 departments boasted 100% participation (every employee gave a gift), an increase of 20 departments over last year. Each year the IGIVE t-shirts are the most popular perk of the employee campaign and have become collector’s items.
Longtime radio partners WBBQ 104.3, 96.3 KISS-FM and 105.7 The Bull, along with WRDW-TV News 12, helped Children’s Hospital of Georgia generate nearly $270,000 in pledges and donations during the 23rd annual iHeartMedia Cares for Kids Radiothon on Dec. 7-9. Radiothon is the largest annual fundraiser for the not-for-profit Children’s Hospital, which is Georgia’s second largest children’s hospital and a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. (Pledges have grown by nearly $7,000 since the $262,693 event total was announced on air.)
Luke List, a PGA TOUR player, and his wife Chloe presented a check for $250,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia on Dec. 7 to help fund an expansion of the pediatric intensive care unit. The donation, was made possible by the proceeds List earned by winning the RSM Birdies Fore Love competition. The PICU team at Children’s helped the List’s son, Harrison, make a full recovery during a serious battle with RSV, a respiratory virus, in 2021. Helping expand the PICU is important to the Lists as it means more children will receive the critical care they need.
‘Tis the season for gathering
About 250 alumni and guests attended Augusta University’s annual alumni holiday party Dec. 8 at the Maxwell Alumni House. The alumni team sold limited edition, specially designed holiday ornaments, featuring the university arch on Walton Way and the historic Medical College of Georgia building on Telfair Street. Ornaments cost $25 each (including shipping), and proceeds go the AU and MCG alumni associations.
Alumni Engagement gets director
Allison Toney, PhD (right), photographed here with Karen Head at the Alumni Holiday Party, joined Augusta University in October as director of Alumni Engagement. She is leading the creation and implementation of programs, projects and events to strategically engage all our alumni. Allison came from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she worked in Student and Alumni Engagement.
McKnight family hosts event for baseball and softball teams
For the second year in a row Lou and Mason McKnight III (2023 President’s Award recipients) hosted the Jaguars baseball and softball teams at the downtown Hyatt in November. The McKnights indicated that getting to know the coaches these past couple of years has been a joy, and seeing them with their players, and the excitement of those student athletes to play in facilities that they deserve, has reinforced the family’s resolve to support AU Athletics. Representing Augusta University at the event were Russell Keen, EVP of Administration and External Relations, and his wife Karen; Brandon T. McCray, VP of Development; Mike Kessler, both coaches and their spouses.
Also supporting our student athletes in a significant way is The Oki Foundation. This Foundation, based out of Washington state, recently pledged $250,000 to the J. Fleming Norvell Golf Scholarship Endowment. Norvell, who died in September, was a foundational supporter of the Augusta University golf program. In 2007 he led the campaign to build the golf house and adjacent teaching center, designated as the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House.
Gift from medical illustrator will create art of science lectureship at AU
Albert Einstein once said, “The greatest scientists are artists as well.” Medical Illustration alumnus Grover Hogan of the Class of 1968 is helping to bridge the Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Humanities, while strengthening student experiences, through an endowment. Established in memory of his parents, the John and Martha Hogan Art of Science Lectureship will support an annual guest speaker to demonstrate the importance of the art and science fusion. Besides his own ties to the university, Hogan’s mother worked as an administrative assistant in the College of Nursing business office for 20 years.
Internist stays afloat at Raft Debate
The Alumni Engagement team coordinated the annual MCG Raft Debate Oct. 20. Over 140 students, faculty, staff and guests attended this lively event that allows students to determine the fate of an internist, a surgeon and a pediatrician aboard a sinking ship, and the only escape is a one-person raft. The virtual ship included Southeast Campus general surgeon Dr. John Odom; chief of General Internal Medicine Dr. Christos Hatzigeorgiou; and pediatrician Dr. Jerry Miller. Hats off to Hatzigeorgiou, who won the competition.
Brew-N-Que has high attendance
The Augusta U Brew-N-Que event on Oct. 6 drew more than 860 attendees, comprised of alumni, faculty, staff, students, families, and friends. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Georgia’s OWN Credit Union and sponsors Riverside Heating and Air, Security Federal Bank, Murphy Auto Group, Horizon Motor Coach, Bonsai Produce, Cantina Locale+Village Deli, AB Beverage, and Keen Signs, for contributing to the event’s success. Money raised goes toward undergraduate student scholarships at AU.
Alumni receptions in Rome, Athens
Nearly 70 guests, representing alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students, attended a Medical College of Georgia alumni reception in Rome, Georgia, on Oct. 17. Dr. David Hess, MCG dean, and Dr. Paul Brock, Northwest Campus dean, delivered remarks. Two days later, about 74 alumni, friends, and foundation board members attended the All Alumni Reception in Athens. Thank you to our alumni and supporters in Rome and Athens for staying engaged with MCG and Augusta University, as well as helping us generate support for AU and our flagship medical school.
Foundation News
The Augusta University Foundation held a board retreat in Athens in October led by a facilitator with the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. An essential component of the retreat was a visioning session to kick off the foundation’s strategic process to complement AU’s strategic plan. While in Athens, the AU Foundation partnered with the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving teams to host an all-alumni reception.
The Medical College of Georgia Foundation welcomed three new trustees: Juli Means, Dr. Mark Ellison (MCG, ’82) and Dr. John Stewart (MCG, ’06).
Endowment reports go digital
The AU and MCG foundations have worked to package the majority of the FY23 endowment reports and annual reports in a digital platform. If you have an endowment or support one, you will likely receive your report (s) via email in mid- to late-December.
The Office of Government Relations hosted members of the Richmond County State Legislative Delegation, including Rep. Brian Prince, the chair of the Richmond County Delegation, as well as Reps. Karlton Howard, Lynn Gladney, Mark Newton and Senator Max Burns. They toured the Dental College of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Interdisciplinary Simulation Center, and new labs at the College of Science and Mathematics and met with students, deans, and faculty to discuss the student experience and academic offerings.
Rural health studied by Senate group
The College of Nursing and Office of Government Relations welcomed a group of senators who are studying how to attract more health care workers to rural areas in Georgia. Dr. Shannon Broxton, Dean Lester Pretlow from the College of Allied Health Sciences and Dean David Hess from the Medical College of Georgia spoke to the group about what Augusta University is doing to serve rural and underserved communities in Georgia. The Committee is expected to finalize their recommendations later this month.
MCG leaders tout rural health projects
MCG Dean David Hess, MD, Elizabeth Gray, MD, Chad Ray, MD, and Lauren Hopkins, MPH, shared innovative health care programs with the House Rural Development Council, led by State Rep. Gerald Green (R-Cuthbert) and State Rep. Mack Jackson (D-Sandersville), who are looking for ways to improve health care in rural Georgia. MCG leaders highlighted the MCG 3+ Program, the new MCG partnership campus in Savannah and telehealth growth.
Congressional team visits Athens partnership campus
The Office of Government Relations hosted congressional staff from U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock’s office, Maria Cook, and U.S. Congressman Mike Collins office, Jessica Hayes, for a meeting and tour of the Medical College of Georgia Partnership Campus in Athens. Dr. Nuss and Monty Philpot, Director of Federal Relations discussed MCG’s efforts to decrease the physician shortage and address healthcare needs across Georgia.
Miranda Williams with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, visited the College of Education and Human Development and its Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center. Williams is the first statewide literacy coach and leads the Georgia Council on Literacy. Her first stop was the COEHD, where Dean Judi Wilson discussed various education programs and research initiatives. She then visited the Literacy Center. Williams also helped coordinate a generous book donation from Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ office. AU was the first university on her higher education tour of Georgia.
Philpot attends cyber symposium
Monty Philpot, Director of Federal Relations, attended U.S. Cyber Command and the College of Information and Cyberspace at National Defense University’s 2023 Cyber Symposium in Washington D.C. She provided an update to General Paul Nakasone, Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA Director, regarding three of AU’s ROTC cadets newly selected for Cyber Branch, 3 out of 35 nationwide.
Carlos Rodriguez feels like his college career at Augusta University has gone by faster than some of the 5,000-meter races he has competed in over the past four-and-a-half years as a member of the men’s track and field team.
More than 100 female workers from Costa Layman Farms were invited to take advantage of a free health clinic hosted by Augusta University’s College of Nursing at Ridge Spring Family Practice in Ridge Spring, South Carolina.
Dean Nancy Young in front of the Dental College of Georgia.
The Dental College of Georgia has been awarded a prestigious UO1 grant in the amount of nearly $800,000 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the U.S. National Institutes of Health to support a clinician-scientist incubator project.
High school students contemplate teaching at outreach event.
Nearly 93% of teachers who graduate from AU’s College of Education and Human Development stay in the profession, and AU graduates have a 100% placement rate for teachers who remain in Georgia.
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Holiday greetings from our President
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Written by
Russell Keen, EdD
Dr. Keen is the Executive Vice President of Administration and External Relations & Chief of Staff to the President at Augusta University
Augusta University
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.
