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Augusta University

Coordinates: 33°28′18″N 81°59′20″W / 33.47170°N 81.98885°W / 33.47170; -81.98885
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Augusta University
Augusta University
Former names
as Georgia Health Sciences University: Medical Academy of Georgia, Medical Institute of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia
as Augusta State University: Augusta Junior College, Augusta College, Academy of Richmond County
TypePublic, Research university
Established1828 as the Medical Academy of Georgia
Endowment$121.3 million[1]
PresidentBrooks Keel
Academic staff
1,000+ full-time[2]
Students9,183[2]
Undergraduates6,700+[2]
Postgraduates892[3][3]
1135[3]
Other students
520[3]
Location
Augusta
,
Georgia
,
United States
CampusUrban
ColorsBlue   and Gray  
NicknameJaguars[4]
Websitehttp://gru.edu

Augusta University is a public academic health center with its main campus located in Augusta, Georgia, United States. It is one of the four public research universities in the University System of Georgia (USG). AU comprises nine colleges and schools: the College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Arts, Humanities, and Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, College of Education, College of Graduate Studies, College of Nursing, College of Science and Mathematics, the Hull College of Business, and the Medical College of Georgia.[5]

On January 8, 2012, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the merger of Georgia Health Sciences University with Augusta State University.[6] On August 7, 2012, the Georgia Board of Regents named the merged universities Georgia Regents University.[7] On October 25, 2012, the university added the city's name to the university name for marketing purposes, which is Georgia Regents University Augusta.[8] On September 15, 2015 the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia officially announced Georgia Regents University Augusta would be known as Augusta University effective immediately.[9]

In addition to the nine colleges, the university enterprise includes the 478-bed Georgia Regents Medical Center, the Children's Hospital of Georgia,[10] outpatient clinics, classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, a student center, a wellness center and a medical education library. The entire complex has a full-time instructional faculty of 651, a volunteer clinical faculty of 1,795 and a staff of over 3,000, making it the second-largest employer in the region with an annual economic impact of $2 billion.[11]

The university receives over $99 million annually in total sponsored research funding.[12] It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which found all 39 Principles of Accreditation to be compliant at the school.[13]

History

Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU)

GHSU Presidents
G. Lombard Kelly, M.D. 1950–1953
Edgar R. Pund, M.D. 1953–1958
Harry B. O'Rear, M.D. 1958–1972
William H. Moretz, M.D. 1972–1983
Jesse L. Steinfeld, M.D. 1983–1987
Francis J. Tedesco, M.D. 1988–2001
Daniel W. Rahn, M.D. 2001–2010
Ricardo Azziz, M.D. 2010–2012
ASU Presidents[14]
George P. Butler 1925–1930
James L. Skinner 1930–1937
Eric W. Hardy 1937–1954
Anton P. Markert 1954–1958
Gerald B. Robbins 1958–1970
George A. Christenberry 1970–1986
Richard K. Wallace 1987–1991
Martha K. Farmer (interim) 1991–1993
William A. Bloodworth, Jr. 1993–2012
Shirley S. Kenny (interim)[15] 2012–2013
Old Medical College in Augusta, Georgia in 1934
Main article: History of Georgia Regents University

Augusta State University (ASU)

Main article: History of Georgia Regents University

GHSU–ASU consolidation

On January 8, 2012, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents unanimously approved the consolidation of Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University.[16] Ricardo Azziz was appointed president of the new institution.

The USG described the advantages and goals of the "bold move to create a new university that builds on the strength of two institutions with distinct missions," including to create a 21st-century research institution that provides high quality and comprehensive undergraduate programs and top-tier health education and research that meets regional and statewide needs; continue to support the access mission which is vital to regional needs; allow for growth of research efforts to spur economic development and facilitate knowledge transfer; offer a wide array of undergraduate programs in liberal arts and professional fields; recognize the geographic proximity of the two universities (~2 miles apart); and build on the strong community support that both enjoyed.[17]

They also identified challenges facing the consolidation, including that significant differences existed in institutional mission, organization, and governance; that complexity associated with current health system structure would be further complicated by integration, and that there would be branding and identity issues.[17]

One branding issue arose while choosing a new name. A group composed of members from both institutions began the work of selecting a name for the new institution. They conducted branding studies and solicited suggestions from the community, then sent the Board of Regents three finalists, from which the regents chose Georgia Regents University. Many in Augusta opposed the name, wanting the city's name to be a part of it.[7] In October 2012, the university added the city's name to the university name for marketing purposes, so that it became Georgia Regents University Augusta.[18]

Regent University (based in Virginia) subsequently filed a lawsuit for a trademark infringement against the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia over the name change in August 2012. The lawsuit was settled out of court in June 2013.[19][20][21][22]

On September 15, 2015 Georgia Regents University voted to change the name to "Augusta University." Chairman Neil Pruitt said the decision was made to "support the long-term strategic direction of the institution and build on our partnership with the Augusta community."[23]

TIME magazine wrote that consolidation is "becoming increasingly common …" to help combat needs necessitated by lowering budgets for higher education, and focused on the ASU-GHSU consolidation as the prime example.[24]

In addition, Augusta State had been listed as one of the lowest in the nation in six-year graduation rates, in part because its mission was to be openly accessible to the greatest amount of students. Falling enrollment rates – partially blamed on demographics, which were heavily local students, and partially blamed on HOPE Scholarship cuts – were a primary issue from Augusta State.[25] But the recent consolidation of the health system and medical university at Georgia Health Sciences University, in addition to overlapping nursing courses with undergraduate-level offering at Augusta State, were also issues administrators faced.

Academics

The medical crest is displayed all over Augusta University's campus.

GRU offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees through its nine colleges and schools.

College of Allied Health Sciences

The College of Allied Health Sciences offers doctoral degree programs in applied health science and physical therapy; master’s degree programs in clinical laboratory sciences, medical illustration, occupational therapy, physician assistant and public health; and bachelor's degree programs in clinical laboratory science, dental hygiene, health information management, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy and respiratory therapy. Post-baccalaureate programs include health information management and the Augusta Area Dietetics Internship. All programs are fully accreditated. Clinical programs include the Clinic for Prosthetic Restoration, the Driving Simulation Laboratory and the Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic. Established in 1968, the college enrolled 648 students in Fall 2015.[26]

Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Main article: Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Allgood Hall houses departments from two of GRU's colleges

Named in honor of philanthropist and alumna Katherine Reese Pamplin, the college houses seven departments with 17 undergraduate and one graduate degree programs:[27] Art; Communications; English and Foreign Languages, History, Anthropology, and Philosophy; Music; Political Science; and Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work. The college also boasts a certificate program in European Union Studies.

Accreditations include the Council on Social Work Education,[28] National Association of Schools of Art and Design,[29] National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration,[30] and the National Association of Schools of Music.[31]

The University’s Center for Public Service and Research is housed in the department of Political Science, as is Model United Nations.[32] Other extracurriculars include Model Arab League, a partnership with the GRU Cancer Center to offer art and music therapy to patients on the Health Sciences campus,[33] The Bell Ringer, an award-winning student newspaper,[34] among others.

James M. Hull College of Business

Main article: James M. Hull College of Business

The James M. Hull College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB),[35] and has been since 1999. It was given its current name in 2006 after James M. Hull, who donated two million dollars to the college and university as a whole - the largest such gift in Augusta State school history. It offers undergraduate degrees in Accounting (from the Knox School of Accountancy), Computer Science, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems (MIS), and an MBA program for graduate students.[36]

The Summerville campus at Augusta University includes an Amphitheatre and Science Hall, pictured here.

College of Dental Medicine

The College of Dental Medicine offers a four-year program leading to a doctor of dental medicine degree and is fully accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The curriculum covers oral biology, clinical sciences, behavioral sciences and management. A state-of-the-art building housing 10 departments, faculty and student clinical practice facilities and research laboratories opened in fall 2011. Enrollment is anticipated to increase to 400 by 2016.

A newly opened dental facility will enable the state's only dental college to increase its class size to 100 by 2016.[37] The GRU/University of Georgia partnership campus in Athens will enable the Medical College of Georgia to increase class size to 300 by 2020.

College of Education

The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE),[38] which found "no improvements needed" upon their last inspection completed in 2012.[39] The college offers undergraduate degrees in Early Childhood Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education, and Pre-K–12 Programs. Graduate students may pursue a Masters of Teaching (MAT), Masters of Education (M.Ed.), Education Specialist (Ed.S.), or Master of Science (MS).

College of Graduate Studies

The Graduate School offers programs leading to master, specialist in education, and doctoral degrees in the fields of education, business, biomedical science, biostatistics, allied health science, nursing, psychology, and public administration. It also hosts GRU's Graduate Research Day, as well as provides support for the Student Training and Research program, which provides research learning opportunities for students.[40]

Medical College of Georgia

Main article: Medical College of Georgia

The Medical College of Georgia's freshman class of 230 students is among the 10 largest medical school classes in the country and is expected to grow to 300 within 10 years. The college's expansion plan includes the Medical College of Georgia/University of Georgia Medical Partnership campus in Athens, clinical campuses in Albany, Rome and Savannah, and the Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.[41] Enrollment in 2011–12 totaled 852.

College of Nursing

The Graduate Statue, which resides outside an entrance to Augusta University's Greenblatt Library on its Health Sciences campus.

The college first opened in 1943 as the department of nursing education within the University of Georgia College of Education, with an Atlanta-based center to offer graduate courses. It relocated to the then-Medical College of Georgia in 1956 to become the MCG School of Nursing.[42]

The school was renamed the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Nursing in 2011, reflecting MCG’s name change. In 2013, the GHSU College of Nursing and ASU nursing department became the GRU College of Nursing.[43] It produces the most nurses in Georgia on a yearly basis.[44]

It offers BSN, MS, DNP, and Ph.D programs, and was ranked 44th in graduate nursing programs in the 2011 US News and Report.[45]

The college contains many programs, including the 10th Doctor of Nursing program, several nurse practitioner programs, a Master’s-entry Clinical Nurse Leader Program, as well as Georgia’s only nursing anesthesia program.[46][47] There are initiatives with East Central Regional Hospital,[48] Good Samaritan House,[49] Healthy Grandparents Program,[50] Costa-Layman’s Nursery,[51] and a partnership with Jjaghan University in China.[52]

The college has satellite campuses in Athens and Columbus.

The college is also home to the Beta Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.

College of Science and Mathematics

The College of Science and Mathematics is made up of five departments: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Mathematics, Military Science, and Psychology. It offers 15 undergraduate degrees, a minor in Military Science which grants a graduate the rank of Second Lieutenant, and an M.S. Program in Psychology with three tracks.[53]

Campus

The Health Sciences Building hosts a variety of departments and classes

GRU's main campus in Augusta, Georgia, encompasses more than 200 acres and has four local campuses. It is made up of the former campuses between Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University, with additions from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.[54]

Health Sciences

The Health Sciences campus first began in 1913 as the college moved to the Newton building and expanded from there, with the Dugas Building in 1937 marking the earliest building currently on the campus. The first clinical facility opened as the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Hospital in 1956.[55]

Located in Augusta's Medical District, the Health Sciences campus features all medical programs of the university, as well as the Health Sciences Building, Interdisciplinary Research Building, Wellness Center, Cancer Center, and College of Dental Medicine.

In addition, the Health Sciences campus also contains the Georgia Regents Medical Center, and Children's Hospital of Georgia.

Summerville

GRU Summerville campus

The Summerville campus was originally used as a United States Army arsenal, established downtown in 1816 and relocated to the campus in 1827. By the turn of the twentieth century, the arsenal's prominence waned, beginning with the Spanish–American War in that the arsenal produced manufacturing equipment, seacoast targets, and was a repair station. In World War I, the station repaired rifles and small arms, but produced ordnance material and fire control operations for World War II.[56]

In 1955, the arsenal was closed, and two years later the land was given to the local Board of Education, which used it to open the Junior College of Augusta. In 1958, the name changed to Augusta College, and in 1996 to Augusta State University.

Located on Walton Way, the Summerville campus houses many of the undergraduate programs and the Jaguar Student Activities Center. The Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, the History Walk, the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art, The Honors Program, and the Maxwell Alumni House are all found on this campus. In addition, the James M. Hull College of Business, College of Education, College of Science and Mathematics, and Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are located here.

The campus was formerly well known for the Arsenal Oak, a tree that contained wood believed to be 250–400 years old, until it was cut down in June 2004 because of disease.[57]

Forest Hills

A par 3 hole at Forest Hills

Then-Augusta State University opened a second campus in 1991 for athletics, complete with a 3,800-seat arena – Christenberry Fieldhouse, named in 2003 – and softball and baseball fields.[56] The J. Fleming Norvell Golf House was added in 2007 with an adjacent driving range, putting green, and chipping area.[58]

The campus contains Forest Hills Golf Club, home of the men's and women's golf teams and a public course available for play, and the 500-bed University Village student housing.

Other

GRU has three satellite campuses for clinical study in Albany, Rome, and Savannah.

GRU is also in possession of the former Georgia Golf Hall of Fame & Gardens riverfront property in downtown Augusta for possible future development.

Partnerships

UGA–GRU medical partnership

Main article: University of Georgia § UGA–GHSU medical partnership

The College of Nursing has a satellite campus in Athens, where GHSU's Medical College of Georgia operates a partnership campus with the University of Georgia. MCG also has clinical campuses in Albany and Savannah, with one planned to open in Rome soon.

In 2010, GRU partnered up with the University of Georgia to create the GRU/UGA Medical Partnership. The GRU/UGA Medical Partnership combines the experience of one of the nation’s first medical schools with the resources of the Georgia's most comprehensive research university. The result is an education that allows students to reach their full potential in a unique learning environment. [59]

In 2011, the University of Georgia acquired the former U.S. Navy Supply Corps School on the medical corridor of Prince Avenue near downtown Athens. The 56-acre Health Sciences Campus has an extensive landscaped green space, more than 400 trees and several historic buildings. In July 2012, the GRU/UGA Medical Partnership moved to the 58-acre UGA Health Sciences Campus near downtown Athens.

ECRH–GRU medical partnership

East Central Regional Hospital contains two locations in Augusta and Gracewood, was taken over by GRU for administrative purposes in 2009 after the facility was considered for closure. The university's College of Nursing is actively involved in the daily activities, including patient care. The hospital specializes in behavioral health and mental disabilities.[60]

Athletics

Main article: Georgia Regents Jaguars

The athletics squads continued to compete under the Augusta State name until the end of the 2012-13 athletic season.

GRU competes at the NCAA Division I level in women’s and men's golf and is a Division II participant in its 11 other sports (women’s and men’s cross country, volleyball, women’s and men’s basketball, women’s and men’s tennis, softball, baseball and women’s and men’s outdoor track & field). The mascot is the Jaguar.

The men's golf program captured the school’s first NCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship on June 6, 2010 in Ooltewah, Tennessee, when the Jaguars defeated Oklahoma State University. The Jags then became the first Division I men’s golf program in 27 years to repeat as National Champions on June 5, 2011 when they defeated the University of Georgia at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.[61]

Notable alumni and faculty

Notable alumni and faculty of GRU's predecessor institutions include:

See also

References

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2011 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2010 to FY 2011 (Table Revised and Updated on March 19, 2012)" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "GRU Facts". Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "GHSU IRIS: Facts and Figures".
  4. ^ "jaguarsroar.com". Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Colleges << About GRU".
  6. ^ "Board of Regents finalizes consolidations, approves presidents". Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b Regents pic name for university in Augusta. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Last accessed 2012-08-08. Cite error: The named reference "ghshospital" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ Augusta will be in consolidated university name, but not officially | The Augusta Chronicle. Chronicle.augusta.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-09.
  9. ^ Augusta University, GRU changes name effective immediately | NBC26 nbc26.tv Retrieved on 2015-09-15.
  10. ^ Key, Randy. "Names of Clinical Entities Associated with Augusta University Changing".
  11. ^ About Us. Georgia Regents Health System. Last accessed 2012-01-11.
  12. ^ Sponsored Funding. Augusta University. Last accessed 2012-01-12.
  13. ^ Key, Randy. "GRU Receives Positive Review From Accreditation Group". WJBF News. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Augusta State University Presidents". Augusta State University. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Dr. Shirley Kenny Named Interim President at Augusta State University". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  16. ^ Crawford, Steve (Jan 4, 2012). "GHSU, ASU Could Merge, Lawmaker Says". The Augusta Chronicle.
  17. ^ a b "USG Campus Consolidations Georgia Regents University Name". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  18. ^ Corwin, Tom (October 25, 2012). "Augusta will be in consolidated name, but not officially". The Augusta Chronicle.
  19. ^ "USG Statement on Lawsuit Settlement of Georgia Regents University Name". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  20. ^ Hodson, Sandy (March 6, 2013). "Georgia wins round in legal battle over GRU name". The Augusta Chronicle.
  21. ^ Crawford, Steve (June 28, 2013). "Regents reach settlement with Virginia school in trademark lawsuit". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  22. ^ Corwin, Tom. "Regent files suit over Georgia Regents name". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  23. ^ "Board of Regents Names Augusta University". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  24. ^ Marcus, Jon (19 July 2013). "Cash-strapped universities turn to corporate-style consolidation". Time. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  25. ^ McManus, Tracey (29 Aug 2012). "Augusta State has fewer students for third year in a row". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Welcome to the College of Allied Health Sciences". gru.edu.
  27. ^ "GRU Catalog".
  28. ^ "Council of Social Work Education".
  29. ^ "National Association of Schools of Art and Design".
  30. ^ "National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration".
  31. ^ "National Association of Schools of Music".
  32. ^ Mclay, Ryan. "Professor promotes United Nations program as part of new university". The Bell Ringer.
  33. ^ Corwin, Tom. "Art Aids Therapy at GRU Cancer Center". The Augusta Chronicle.
  34. ^ Emerson, LaTina. "GRU student newspaper receives 14 awards in state competition". GRU News.
  35. ^ "AACSB Accredited Schools Listing".
  36. ^ "About >> Hull College of Business".
  37. ^ Georgia Health Sciences University (October 11, 2011). "Sept. 23 Grand Opening Scheduled for New Dental Building". Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  38. ^ "Accredited Institutions by State".
  39. ^ "NCATE commends ASU's College of Education".
  40. ^ "Graduate Studies".
  41. ^ Georgia Health Sciences University (January 10, 2012). "Expanding to meet the state and national physician shortage". Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  42. ^ Spalding, Phinizy. The History of the Medical College of Georgia.
  43. ^ Corwin, Tom. "ASU nursing to move to GHSU in merger". The Augusta Chronicle.
  44. ^ "Nursing students - Center for Health Workforce Planning and Analysis".
  45. ^ "U.S. News and World Report".
  46. ^ Key, Randy. "CSRA Nurse of the Year Named".
  47. ^ "CRNA Schools".
  48. ^ "Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities".
  49. ^ "Daring Community Health Center".
  50. ^ "Healthy Grandparents Program".
  51. ^ "Ryan White team honored by Costa-Layman Farms".
  52. ^ Corwin, Tom. "GRU looks to strengthen ties with schools, community". The Augusta Chronicle.
  53. ^ "About College of Science and Mathematics".
  54. ^ "GRU Augusta site names approved".
  55. ^ "GHSU History".
  56. ^ a b "Augusta State University history".
  57. ^ Press, Associated. "End Near for Augusta's historic Arsenal Oak".
  58. ^ "ASU Press Release".
  59. ^ "UGA-GHSU Partnership". UGA-GHSU Partnership. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  60. ^ "East Central Regional Hospital and Georgia Health Sciences University Partnership".
  61. ^ Balicki, Ron. "Augusta St. tops Georgia, repeats as NCAA Champ".
  62. ^ John Britton (doctor)
  63. ^ David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, additional text.

33°28′18″N 81°59′20″W / 33.47170°N 81.98885°W / 33.47170; -81.98885

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