Augusta University crowns 2026 Homecoming Royalty 

Augusta University celebrated student life and Jaguar pride with a dynamic Homecoming centered on “True Life: The Real Jaguar Experience,” drawing inspiration from the hit MTV show True Life. The week’s festivities featured nostalgia-driven programming designed to highlight the true campus experience with events like Jag Shore: Homecoming Hangout, Jag My Ride: Candidate Cookout and Augusta’s Best Dance Crew: Jaguar Mania.  

The week featured two crowning celebrations, beginning with the Duke and Duchess on Feb. 20 and concluding with the King and Queen on Feb. 21 during the halftime at the men’s basketball game against the Middle Georgia State University. 

Bryson Walker, a second-year cybersecurity student, and Caroline Swift, a second-year kinesiology student, were crowned Duke and Duchess, and James Njuguna, a third-year nuclear medicine technology student, and Maddie Edwards, a third-year psychology student, were crowned King and Queen. 

Homecoming royalty were elected by popular vote from the student body and will serve as ambassadors for the university at various functions for the next year.   

Meet the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen 

Njuguna applied to be a part of the Homecoming Court to represent Pi Kappa Phi, receiving immense support from his fraternity brothers who encouraged him to lead an unforgettable campaign. As king, he hopes to serve as a familiar face to those on campus and as a pillar of the community by representing AU’s core values to the fullest extent.  

“I’m honestly most excited to serve in this position with the three other elected individuals,” he said. “From what I’ve heard from the 2025 court, they all became close, and I cannot wait to share experiences with the others.”  

Throughout his reign, he hopes to pass along the message that difficult times are not meant to discourage, but to prove that with determination, anything is possible, a lesson he experienced firsthand during Homecoming Week. 

Emboldened by her friends’ encouragement, Edwards was excited to run for Homecoming Court, and, as her campaign progressed, she realized all the different people she could represent and inspire. She is grateful to be chosen by her peers and looks forward to bonding with the court at upcoming campus events. 

“To me, being a part of Homecoming royalty means more than representing the university,” she said. “It means representing the AU community as a whole. Whether it is based on identity or just students who had similar experiences while being here. Having the chance to represent them and being chosen to represent them is an amazing opportunity.” 

Meet the 2026 Homecoming Duke and Duchess 

Inspired by last year’s duke and childhood friend, Walker hopes to leverage his role by serving as a positive impact and influence amongst his peers. He wants to show that stepping out of your comfort zone is not only okay but necessary to reach your goals, and that if you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible.  

Upon being crowned, Walker felt a wave of relief, understanding that this achievement was not just his own, but a reflection of the encouragement and help he had received. 

“Being part of AU royalty means that I can now continue the legacy that was set out before me,” Walker said. “I can now be that vital connection to the student body and the school that I feel is important, so students can feel they belong.” 

As a member of Alpha Delta Pi, Swift was nominated as Homecoming Week representative. While Swift is very involved with her sorority, she is excited to expand her horizons by showcasing her positive college experience at campus events. 

“When I was announced as duchess, I felt incredibly honored and overwhelmed with gratitude,” Swift said. “I felt that way because it wasn’t just about me – it represented the love and encouragement from my friends, classmates and organizations who believed in me and supported me throughout the process.” 

As duchess, she aims to celebrate AU’s traditions and connect with more students while also setting an example of kindness and genuine involvement.  

“I hope to show that leadership is about serving others, lifting people up and representing our campus with love and gratitude,” Swift said. 

Stay up to date with campus events by checking AU’s Events Calendar or following Student Life and Engagement.