Ignite the Light: The spark starts with Augusta University

It may not feel much like fall with the heat index in Augusta still hitting triple digits, but the heat and brilliant sunshine complement the intensity and momentum building at Augusta University. Student orientation sessions have wrapped for the summer, new AU faculty have completed their onboarding, and there’s a renewed sense of excitement on campus for the academic year ahead. 

President Russell T. Keen and First Lady Karen B. Keen began Monday’s Fall Kickoff by sharing how they are embracing the theme and mission – Ignite the Light. Together, they want to amplify what they call the deeply impactful work being done every day by the good people who make up the Augusta University community.

“We are so incredibly glad you are here. It’s going to be a phenomenal year, and we’re going to ‘Ignite the Light.’ It’s something all of us should play a part in, and whether you realize it or not, all of us do play a part,” said Keen, who is beginning his third year as president of AU. “You play a part every day by showing up to do the things that make AU special.”

They also want to help that light travel beyond Augusta University’s local campuses and cover the entire state of Georgia. 

“Our mission was never meant to stay inside these walls or on the periphery of our campus physically. From Augusta to Athens, Rome to Dalton, Gainesville to Columbia County, Augusta University’s light is certainly a statewide light for every Georgian who needs a doctor, a degree, a discovery and a chance. That’s the frame behind what I’m asking from each of us this year.” 

Keen shared four goals that will guide the university over the next year:

💡People and Culture – Elevating cultural standards through leadership development

💡Profile and Impact – Amplifying AU’s profile regionally, statewide and nationally

💡Strategy and Future – Embarking upon a comprehensive strategic planning process

💡Career and Workforce – Bolstering career readiness and workforce connection

“The goals apply to every person in this theatre and every person you meet when you walk out of these doors,” he said. 

Shining the light on students

Susan Davies, PhD, executive vice president of Enrollment & Student Affairs, celebrated Augusta University’s trajectory toward an 11th consecutive year of enrollment growth. Davies and her team estimate fall enrollment to top 12,600 students, an increase of nearly 3% over 2025. Davies encouraged faculty and staff to join in the efforts of consistent growth and student retention by finding ways to volunteer and signing on to serve as student mentors, through the Jags4Jags Mentorship Program. 

Maggy G. Tomova, PhD, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, embraced the theme of light and challenged the AU community to ignite curiosity, discovery and creativity as they embark on the new semester.

“Pursue the question that you’ve been thinking about. Try the idea that feels too ambitious. Challenge a student to go further. Reach across the discipline and start a collaboration. Create something that didn’t exist before, because that’s how great universities become even greater. Welcome to a new academic year,” Tomova said. 

Georgia is our campus

David Hess, MD, dean of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, coordinated a virtual meeting, crisscrossing the state, checking in with campus deans and students at several of MCG’s regional campuses. Those included Savannah, Albany, Thomasville, Atlanta, Rome and Dalton.

Hess celebrated MCG’s designation as the country’s third-largest medical school by class size, the 13th oldest medical school and one with nine regional campuses serving the state at large.

Highlights and wins from across campuses were shared at the event by members of Keen’s Executive Cabinet: Yvonne Turner, executive vice president of Finance & Administration; Ashley May, executive vice president for Strategic Effectiveness and chief of staff; and Maura Copeland, vice president of CERM and interim vice president of legal affairs and general counsel. Jeff Snow, executive vice president of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, showcased fundraising gains and goals, and AU’s new athletics director, Brent McMillian, announced some exciting updates for the athletics season already in play and what fans can expect as the year unfolds. 

Keen closed the upbeat kickoff – which featured a lively, pep rally atmosphere – by urging the crowd to take up their torch and let their light shine.

“Somewhere in this university, in a classroom, in a laboratory, hospital hallway, an advising office, there’s a student, a colleague, a patient, a community waiting for the light that only you carry. No one else could deliver it but you,” said Keen. “Don’t dim it. Don’t wait for permission to let it shine. This university has never been built by people who played small. It’s been built over and over and over by people like you who say, ‘It can be done, and I will do it.’ It’s more than a motto; it’s our charge.”