Savannah State University News

Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D., President of Savannah State University (right) and Valarie Trimarchi, president of South University Savannah Campus, sign the agreement acknowledging the 3+3 Program between the universities. Photo Credit: Jason Miccolo Johnson Savannah State University (SSU) and South University have partnered to introduce the “3+3 Program,” offering SSU students an expedited pathway to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from South University School of Pharmacy (SUSOP). A signing ceremony between Kimberly Ballard-Washington, president of Savannah State University, and Dr. Valarie Trimarchi, president of South University Savannah Campus, will be held to commemorate the partnership at SSU on Monday, Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. in the Science and Technology Center, second floor foyer. The program allows students to earn a dual degree that when completed will result in a Bachelor of Science degree from SSU and a PharmD degree from SUSOP. “In what would normally be a biology majo

Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College (left), and Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D., President of Savannah State University (right), sign the new Institutional Articulation Agreement, allowing Augusta Technical College students to finish their electronics engineering technology degree at Savannah State University. Savannah State University (SSU) has entered into an Institutional Articulation Agreement with Augusta Technical College. An articulation agreement signing ceremony will be held at Savannah State University on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 9 a.m. in the Science and Technology Center, second-floor foyer. “There is a big demand for graduates of electronics engineering technology programs. Partnering with Augusta Technical College creates a steady pipeline of students who have the requisite talent and skills to be successful in SSU’s electronic engineering program, which aids in the ultimate goal of preparing a skilled and educated workforce,” Kimberly Ballard-W

  Photo Credit: Jason Miccolo Johnson ESPN’s HBCU Band Rankings Lists Powerhouse of the South in Top 10 Anyone who has seen Savannah State University’s Powerhouse of the South marching band perform during halftime football games knows the band is one of the best in the nation. Now it has the rankings to prove it. In the ESPN vertical’s most recent HBCU Band Rankings, “The Undefeated,” Savannah State’s band makes an appearance in its Division II Top10 at No. 10 – its first such ranking this season. “It is an honor to be recognized by my colleagues in this way,” Gabriel Arnold, Ph.D., assistant professor of music and director of university bands , said. “I am very lucky to be working with a great group of young musicians who share a commitment to striving for excellence and a true passion for musicianship and audience engagement. Stay tuned — this is only the beginning of what’s to come from the Powerhouse of the South!” Bands are ranked based on scores in five categories: Auxiliary; Dr

  Images of breast cancer in virtual reality depict lobular carcinoma in situ which will be explored during the 45-minute virtual reality sessions.    In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Savannah State University’s Visual Immersive Tangible Applications Learning (VITAL) Research Lab is hosting “Breast Cancer in Virtual Reality” Thursday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The event will be held at 3219 College Street in Hubert Building D, third floor, Room 444, and is free and open to the public. In addition, St. Joseph’s/Candler Mobile Mammography Unit will be on campus in the Payne Hall parking area during this time to offer 3D mammograms to women ages 45 and older. Those interested in scheduling a mammogram should call St. Joseph’s/Candler Mobile Mammography at 912-819-6140 to inquire about eligibility and request an appointment. “ According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women ,” said Mykela Zumbr

Make plans to attend "Murder Among Friends" on Oct. 21 - 23, presented by SSU's theatre group, Players by the Sea.   Savannah State University’s official theatre group, Players by the Sea, will present “Murder Among Friends” by Bob Barry beginning at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 – 23. The play will take place on the main stage of the John F. Kennedy Auditorium, located at 3219 College St. inside the Kennedy Fine Arts building. Ticket prices are $10 for the general public and $5 for Savannah State University (SSU) students, faculty, and staff. An artist talk will follow the performance on opening night. “Take an aging, exceedingly vain actor; his very rich wife; a double-dealing, double loving agent; plunk them down in an elegant New York duplex and add dialogue crackling with wit and laughs, and what do you have? The basic elements for an evening of pure, sophisticated entertainment!” said Darryl H. Thompson-Norton, director of the play and associate professor of Theatre and Speech.

  Junior Jatavion Williams was recently featured in the Savannah Morning News for his unusual path from student manager to student athlete on the Tigers football team. For most of his young life, 20-year-old  Jatavion Williams has known what he wants to do, then figured out how to do it. When Williams was a child and asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always gave the same answer: a doctor. Only recently did Williams narrow his focus to orthopedic surgeon after working summers in his native Macon with his granddad. Leon Simmons is a handyman, and together they've done backbreaking work painting houses, putting down tile and other flooring, rebuilding walls, and more. "I'll hear him talk about how his joints are bothering him," said Williams, a junior biology major at Savannah State University. "He was saying he does what he does because he loves it, but at the same time, I know his age is catching up with him. That made me think, I want to be able

  Pictured from left: Elizabeth Aprea, Master of Social Work (MSW) intern; Scott McCandless, Publix Store Manager; Jacqueline Awe, Savannah State University Director of Student Development and Coordinator of the S.T.A.R. program; Keith Williams, Publix District Manager; Tarsena Owens, MSW intern; and Jesse Stiller, MSW intern. Responsible for pantry maintenance, volunteer coordination, outreach activities, and resource development, social work interns are assigned to the STAR program for one year. Savannah State University’s Students That Are Rising (S.T.A.R.) program recently received a $10,000 donation from Publix to support the S.T.A.R Pantry. The donation will provide more fresh fruits and vegetables for students experiencing food insecurities, in addition to making nutritious foods such as eggs, milk, cheese, ground provisions, fish and meats available to supplement the dry goods in the pantry. “The S.T.A.R. program would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Publix charitie

  The SSU Tigers will take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 16 for the Homecoming football game inside T.A. Wright Stadium. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. Savannah State University (SSU) is celebrating Homecoming 2021 with a weeklong schedule of events themed “Reunited: We Are One SSU.” Notable events include the coronation of Mr. and Miss Savannah State University, a Golf Scramble and a Greek Step Show, culminating with the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 16. The SSU Tigers host the Clark Atlanta University Panthers in T. A. Wright Stadium with kickoff at 3 p.m. “This Homecoming is extra special because this is the first time the Tiger family will be reunited since 2019,” said Moncello Stewart, Homecoming Committee Chair. “We are so excited to celebrate this beloved tradition, to see each other in person this year, and to welcome back so many of our alumni to campus.” To see the full schedule of events, visit SavannahState.edu/homecoming . Masks are e

  Sametria McFall, Ph.D. Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for Savannah State University, Sametria McFall, Ph.D., has been selected as one of 30 provosts in the nation to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) 2021 Academy for New Provosts (ANP), a leadership development program. Now in its second year, ANP is geared toward the distinctive needs of provosts who lead state colleges and universities, providing them an opportunity to connect with their state university peers in an environment tailored to the specific challenges that a first-time provost is likely to face. “I am honored to be a part of this cohort of resilient leaders in higher education, and, I look forward to connecting with and learning from each person involved,” said McFall. “AASCU has a long history of supporting public colleges and universities through leadership development and effective public policy. I am especially fortunate to have been select

Savannah State University's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program is featured in a special edition of USA TODAY focused on the Department of Homeland Security. Savannah State University's (SSU) Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program was recently featured in a USA TODAY Special Edition focused on the Department of Homeland Security. The article, titled, "Hot Commodity - Cybersecurity, emergency response degrees are in demand" highlights select colleges across the country offering degrees related to a growing demand for cybersecurity and emergency management professionals. SSU Faculty member Emmanuel Nojang, professor and coordinator of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program, and alumnus Wisdom Akpanagan were interviewed for the story. Savannah State University is highlighted as one of the leading colleges offering degree paths to the Department of Homeland Security.  An excerpt from the article is below: Our students work across

  Sunset on Wilmington Acrylic on Canvas by Faculty Member Peggy Blood Savannah State University’s Visual and Performing Arts Program is featuring a group exhibition by alumni and faculty on display from Oct. 6 through Dec. 11. An opening reception, with artist talk and voice performance is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 5 – 7 p.m . Located on the university’s campus in the Kennedy Fine Arts Building, the Kennedy Fine Arts Gallery is available for viewing Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Face masks are encouraged. Featuring work in a variety of media including painting, mixed media, installation, print and live musical performance by 12 artists, the artworks focus on a wide range of themes from philosophical interpretations of religion and spirituality to explorations of identity. Professor Jaquelyn Hamilton will also perform songs from different genres including classical, jazz, spirituals, and show tunes. Professor Eric Jones and Elizabeth Blackmarr will provide accomp

  Family members standing from left: William L. Smith, II, William L. Smith, Sr., Selena J. (Brown) Smith, Jasmine Smith, Makayla Smith. Seated on sofa from left: Garry F. Grant, Sr., Leroy Brown, Jr., Rose A. (Lanier) Brown, Valerie S. (Brown) Grant. Seated on floor: Dr. Sheila E. Brown and Garry F. Grant, Jr. Valerie S. Grant has established a $50,000 endowment honoring her parents, the late Rose A. (Lanier) Brown and Leroy Brown Jr., alumni of Savannah State University. The endowment rewards students enrolled in the university’s College of Sciences and Technology. Eligible candidates include undergraduate and graduate students seeking full-time degrees in the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Engineering Technology. To qualify for the scholarship, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.00 scale, and demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, community service, leadership and commitment to racial equality in their chosen field. “Savannah State Un

Savannah State University's 199th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Savannah State University (SSU) will hold its 199th undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 10 at T. A. Wright Stadium. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Approximately 296 students will receive master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees. Each student will be allowed to invite a maximum of eight guests. Students and guests will be encouraged to wear masks and social distance during the event. All ceremonies will be live-streamed. More information about graduation exercises at SSU is available online at savannahstate.edu/commencement .