Nearly 2,200 students have been accepted through Augusta University’s early action admission for the fall 2026 semester, with 217 of those students coming from high schools in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). Columbia County led with 122 admitted students, followed by Richmond County with 50.
To mark the occasion, Augusta University President Russell T. Keen and First Lady Karen B. Keen, along with staff from the Office of Admissions, visited three high schools in Columbia and Richmond counties to personally deliver acceptance letters and welcome packets to early admits. The university’s mascot, Augustus, also joined in to help celebrate.
The day began at Greenbrier High School, where a ceremony was held for 35 newly admitted students. The team then traveled to Lakeside High School to surprise its 46 early admits.
President Keen addressed the Lakeside students: “We have students from around the country and some from around the world, and they come here to AU to make us better. We also know there are acres and acres of diamonds right here in our own community, and that’s why we’re here today telling each of you that you have been accepted early into Augusta University,” he said. “You are the diamonds that can come to our campus and make it better. You are some of the very few that were chosen for early admission, and I extend my congratulations to each of you.”
As an alumnus of Lakeside High School himself, President Keen shared his personal experience: “As a first-generation college student, there were a lot of folks who poured into me from this school,” he said. “It’s amazing to see the circle of education, and just as educators pour into you all at Lakeside High School, the same will happen at Augusta University.”
Among those surprised was Dejon Odom, a Lakeside senior whose mother is an alumna of Augusta University. Odom explained his reasons for applying early: peace of mind regarding college plans and interest in pursuing information technology at AU. He described his reaction: “I audibly gasped and was very excited when I realized this was why we were being pulled out of class today,” he said. “My mom went to AU, and she had only good experiences there, so it’s definitely a school I want to go to to pursue a career in information technology.”
The last stop on the tour was John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School where 17 students received their letters; this group included four students each from A.R. Johnson Magnet School and Academy of Richmond County.
Family members attended ceremonies in support of their students’ achievements. Sheila Canady spoke about her granddaughter Jayla Allen: “Jayla has been a straight-A student since kindergarten, so she has definitely been excelling in academics all her life, and I just know that she’s going to continue to strive and do the best that she can.” Allen said Augusta University is one of her top choices: “I’m thinking about psychology or something to do with cosmology or physics,” she explained. “I was shocked when they brought us down here today. I was hoping I would get in, and it was really exciting.”
President Keen closed each ceremony by encouraging future Jaguars: “I hope to have the opportunity to shake your hands again and congratulate you, personally, in three years, four years or six years, depending on whatever road you take to change the world. I hope to do the same thing at commencement that I’m doing here with you all today – the sky is the limit for what you can achieve.”
