Two men in blue suits and a woman in a bright yellow patterned dress smile at the camera, surrounded by students in various colored scrubs.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, Karen Keen and Lester Pretlow, PhD, dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences, pose with Allied Health students on the Health Sciences Campus. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

Fast-paced first week for President and First Lady Keen

Avatar photoKevin Faigle2 min readJuly 12, 2024

President Russell Keen, EdD, and First Lady Karen Keen enjoyed engaging with faculty and students over their first several days, attending classes and visiting several labs on campus that are conducting groundbreaking research impacting the state of Georgia and beyond.

During their tour of the Health Sciences Campus, the Keens explored the university’s Interdisciplinary Simulation Center — a 40,000-square-foot, high-impact instructional facility that serves the health care simulation needs of all health care programs at Augusta University.

A man and a woman smile widely as the man shakes the hand of another man just off camera.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, and First Lady Karen Keen greet guests during the welcome celebration. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man and woman pose for a photo next to a giant silver bell as the man waves
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, and First Lady Karen Keen. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man in a blue suit stands in the middle of a room with low blue tables, talking to a group of female students dressed in black scrubs and blue scrubs.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, speaks with a class during a tour of the Health Sciences Campus. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man in a blue suit stands at the front of a classroom, talking and pointing to students seated at desks in the classroom
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, speaks with students on the Summerville Campus. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A woman in a white coat intubates a dummy in a simulated hospital room as two men in blue suits and a woman in a bright yellow patterned dress watch
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, First Lady Karen Keen and David Hess, MD, dean of the Medical College of Georgia, watch a demonstration of the intubation process during a tour of the Health Sciences Campus. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man wearing a blue suit stands with a woman on either side of him, one in a tan suit and white shirt and the other with a bright yellow patterned dress, surrounded by faculty and staff dressed in white coats.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, and First Lady Karen Keen meet with faculty and students. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man in a blue suit shakes the hand of a woman in a white lab coat as a woman in a tan suit smiles at them; another woman in the background looks on.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, meets with faculty and students on the Health Sciences Campus. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man in a blue suit and a woman in a black, blue and white printed dress walk leave a building.
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, and First Lady Karen Keen walk around the campus of Augusta University. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]
A man in a blue suit stands at the front of a classroom, talking to students seated at the tables in the classroom
Augusta University President Russell Keen, EdD, speaks with students. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

To start the week, students, faculty and staff gathered to welcome Keen as the new president of Augusta University. At this special presidential reception, Keen shared his vision and goals for AU, highlighting his dedication to enhancing research, student success and community engagement. A passionate advocate for higher education, Keen is committed to advancing AU’s strategic goals and regional impact.

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Kevin Faigle

Kevin Faigle is Media Relations Specialist at Augusta University. Contact him to schedule an interview on this topic or with one of our experts at kfaigle@augusta.edu.

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Jagwire is your source for news and stories from Augusta University. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.