Augusta University hosts Jags in the Park

Old sweet songs kept Georgia – and more specifically, Augusta – on the minds of guests at Jags in the Park, held on the Summerville Campus on Thursday, May 2. 

The outdoor pops-style concert was organized as a tribute to Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, who will retire at the end of June. Wycliffe Gordon, the director of jazz studies in Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, brought together students, alumni and local musicians to perform throughout the evening.

Thanking the crowd for joining the festivities, Keel said the program was nearly a decade in the making. 

“Tammie and I have been wanting to do this since we came to Augusta. I can’t think of a better time to do it, as we are heading out,” he said. “For me, there’s nothing better than connecting two things: live music and time with friends and family.”  

During the event, Keel recognized the late Paulette P. Harris, PhD, founding director of the Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center, with the 2024 President’s Award for a lifetime of outstanding support and philanthropy to the university. Steve Ruby accepted the award in memory of his late wife.

City of Augusta Commissioner Francine Scott surprised Keel by proclaiming May 2 as Dr. Brooks A. Keel Day. Scott noted, among many achievements, “he is highly respected amongst his peers as a tireless advocate for ensuring all Georgians have access to a quality education and world-class health care.”  

Russell Keen, EdD, executive vice president for administration and chief of staff to the president, led guests in a toast to Keel and First Lady Tammie Schalue, PhD, to conclude the evening. 

“We would not be Augusta University without both of you,” he said. “You are leaving here at a time when we are thriving, with a promising hope and future for this place, for our students, and for our community, for years after we are gone.”