Skip to main content

Savannah State University Annual Scholarship Gala Garners $250,000 for Students

Savannah State University’s Annual Scholarship Gala raised $250,000 to support student scholarships. From left: Gala Co-Chairs John and Beverly Copeland, Savannah State University (SSU) Interim Executive Director for University Advancement & Director of Advancement Services Sheri Rouse-Mainor, and SSU President Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D.

Savannah State University’s Annual Scholarship Gala raised $250,000 in support of students needing financial assistance to earn a college degree. Proceeds from the affair provide scholarship support for deserving students. A check presentation was held during the black-tie event Saturday evening at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. Each year, community members are given a meaningful opportunity to support student scholarships with various sponsorship levels, corporate and advertising opportunities. In addition, one community organization and five distinguished individuals were honored with Awards of Excellence for their contributions to the university and the greater community in leadership, philanthropy, scholarship and service. 

“We are so grateful for the support we received from the SSU Foundation, Inc., as well as, the corporate sponsorships and community support from alumni and friends to help further our students’ education and to increase degree attainment for those who may not otherwise be able to attend college,” said Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D., President of Savannah State University. “The generosity of those who have contributed to student scholarships leaves a lasting impact in our city and changes the lives of these exceptional students. It means so much.”

Mayor Van Johnson accepts an Award of Excellence in Leadership at Savannah State University’s Annual Scholarship Gala.

The evening included Awards of Excellence in Leadership recognizing the Mayor of the City of Savannah, Van R. Johnson, II, and the late Georgia State Representative Edward “Mickey” Stephens. Alumna Beulah Rucker Oliver, Class of 1944, was posthumously honored with an Award of Excellence in Scholarship for her dedication to education. Alumnus Wilburn Eason, Class of 1973, was recognized with an Award of Excellence in Philanthropy for giving back to the university since 1977. Richard C. Kessler also earned recognition with an Award of Excellence in Entrepreneurship for his vision and economic impact in bringing The Kessler Enterprise, Inc., to the Savannah area. HCA Healthcare’s Memorial Health earned the Award of Excellence in Service for its positive impact in the 35 counties it serves across the southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina area.

President Kimberly Ballard-Washington presents Richard C. Kessler with an Award of Excellence in Entrepreneurship for his vision and economic impact in bringing The Kessler Enterprise, Inc., to the Savannah area.

The Savannah State University (SSU) Foundation is a Georgia non-profit corporation with the purpose of receiving, investing and administering the private support of SSU by encouraging charitable gifts from alumni and friends leading to academic programs of excellence. These gifts allow the university to build upon a growing reputation of quality and value beyond the traditional resources provided by state appropriations or student tuition and fees. If you would be interested in financially supporting the university, contact University Advancement by calling 912-358-3059 or visit give.savannahstate.edu.

About Savannah State University
Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the first public historically black college or university in Georgia and the first institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. Students select majors from 30 undergraduate and five graduate programs in four colleges — Business Administration, Education, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Sciences and Technology. For more information, visit savannahstate.edu.

Popular posts from this blog

SSU Mourns the Passing of Former Athletics Director

  Savannah State University is deeply saddened by the passing of former Director of Athletics, Mr. Sterling Steward. A proud native of New Orleans, Mr. Steward served as SSU’s Director of Athletics from 2011 to 2018. Throughout his tenure, his leadership, dedication, and commitment to the success of student-athletes made a profound and lasting impact on the entire SSU community. Savannah State University will forever be grateful for Mr. Steward’s numerous contributions to SSU Athletics and the University as a whole. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of students, athletes, and staff. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with the Steward family, his friends, loved ones, and all who are affected by this loss.
Post a Comment
Read more

SSU Announces 2025 Scholarship Gala

Savannah State University (SSU) is pleased to announce the 26th Anniversary Scholarship Gala will be held on Saturday, Apr. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Savannah Convention Center. The annual community event celebrates local leaders while raising funds to provide financial assistance to SSU students, 90% of whom receive some sort of financial assistance for college. Last year, the Gala was a sold out event, raising a record-breaking $412,000. “Our generous past donors are paving a brighter future for our current students,” said SSU Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander. “We are so grateful for the faithful community members who continue to support our historic institution and the promising young students who need their assistance to achieve their dreams.” This year’s theme is “An Evening of Elegance: An Orange Carpet Affair.” The event will feature an Awards of Excellence presentation, honoring a select group of distinguished individuals (alumni and friends of the university) for thei...
1 comment
Read more

Dr. Jermaine Whirl Named SSU President

Dr. Jermaine Whirl   The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named Dr. Jermaine Whirl president of Savannah State University (SSU), effective April 1, 2025. Whirl, an Aspen Fellow, most recently served as president of Augusta Technical College (ATC), a role he has held since November 2020. Whirl’s career includes nearly 20 years of service as a faculty member and administrative leader at public colleges and universities in his home state of South Carolina and in Georgia. He has previously worked at several institutions, including Greenville Technical College, Savannah Technical College, Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State University. “As we welcome Dr. Whirl back into the USG family, we deeply appreciate the steadfast and dedicated leadership of interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Cynthia has laid a strong foundation for Savannah State’s future, one that Dr. Whirl is well-equipped to build...
Post a Comment
Read more