Brooks Keel says final goodbye to AU ahead of retirement
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - For the very last time, Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel is stepping out of the office.
It’s an exciting time as Keel steps into retirement.
News 12′s Sydney Hood was there.
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Listening and watching Keel ring the bell for the last time was extremely bittersweet. You could see the tears in everyone’s eyes.
Keel wore a big smile as he looked back on the impact he’s made.
You can’t look at the crowd and say Keel is not loved by Augusta University.
Ask anyone there, and they’ll tell you Augusta University is what it is today all because of Keel.
“Dr. Keel was the right person at the right time and it came at a time when we really, really needed it,” said graduate Nick Evans.
Everyone agrees Keel is the reason Augusta University is Augusta University.
- CLICK HERE TO WATCH NEWS 12′S RICHARD ROGERS SPEAK ONE ON ONE WITH DR. KEEL.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met him. Billy Morris and I had breakfast with Dr. Keel his first week. And it was to talk about one of the most important things that he ever did. And that was he agreed that we should change the name back to Augusta,” said Evans.
His legacy is a legacy that lives on even in his absence.
“What he’s done since then is immeasurable,” said Evans.
Under Keel’s leadership, enrollment has increased every year since 2015. He’s graduated thousands of students, and in fall 2023, AU sured the 10,000-student mark for the first time in the university’s history.
Now, for the very last time, he rings the bell leaving behind a remarkable career.
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Augusta University’s Vice President of Instruction and Innovation Zach Kelehear said: “He maintained a level personality that was both professional and approachable, not an easy balance to strike. And I think people felt like he listened with authenticity with care if with the need to do well, and then listen to what they say and to make this place better.”
Evans said: “I can also the first time I had a meeting with him up here. He was late to the meeting. And his assistant told me, said ‘Mr. Evans, I’m sorry, I was out, he was gonna be a little bit late, because he’s in the student center, having coffee with students and faculty.’ So, you tell him I’ll wait all day.”
There’s no denying Keel’s proudest accomplishment is his students.
“The students and the faculty at this place are everything to him,” said Evans.
And to the students and faculty, Keel is everything to them.
Keel says he is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.
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