Skip to main content

Savannah State University's First President Richard R. Wright Featured on CBS Saturday Morning

Savannah State University was featured on the February 5 program honoring the life and legacy of Richard R. Wright, Sr., Savannah State University's first president.

In honor of Black History Month, the story of Savannah State University's first president was recently featured on CBS Saturday Morning. Shed Dawson, SSU alumni and director of Career Services and Leadership Development, spoke on the life and legacy of African-American trailblazer Richard R. Wright Sr.

The segment explores how formerly enslaved Wright Sr. continued to elevate himself and his community in each phase of his life, from leading SSU as president for 30 years to owning two successful banks that survived the Great Depression in the 1930's.

When asked what Wright Sr., would be most proud of today, Dawson replied "He would be very proud of his students after they graduated.... and how they left their legacy."

Dawson went on to say, "At Savannah State University, one of the key things that we do is give students an opportunity to apply what they learn to real action and real practical experiences. We try to make those connections today just as he did back then."

To watch the full segment, click on the video below.


CBS Saturday Morning airs in all 50 states and has more than 3 million viewers. 

Popular posts from this blog

SSU Homecoming 2023

   Get Ready for the Show!  The 2023 Savannah State University Homecoming celebration is Oct. 21. For more information and to get your spot in the Homecoming Parade visit  https://tinyurl.com/8xuc35u7 For Homecoming football tickets and SSU football season tickets visit https://tinyurl.com/98vfaaue

Alumni Spotlight Wall: 28 Tigers Who Have Made and are Making History

During the month of February, each day, as we celebrate Black history, we will shine a light on Savannah State University's notable alumni who have made and are making history. Wesley McGriff, class of '90 Wesley McGriff, class of 1990, is the co-defensive coordinator/ secondary coach at the University of Louisville. A native of Tifton, Ga., Wesley McGriff, class of 1990, is the co-defensive coordinator/ secondary coach at the University of Louisville. McGriff played at South Carolina State for one year before transferring to Savannah State, where he started at outside linebacker for three seasons and was named the conference’s 1989 Male Academic Athlete of the Year. McGriff has been in the coaching ranks since 1990 when he was hired as a graduate assistant at Savannah State, where he coached for four years. Starting as a graduate assistant, McGriff tutored running backs before coaching the secondary in 1991-92 and then served as defensive coordinator in 1993-94. He was Savanna

SSU Names New Police Chief

Clarella “Meshia” Thomas is the new Chief of Police at Savanah State University. Photo Credit: Jordan Ewing Savannah State University has selected Clarella “Meshia” Thomas as the new campus Chief of Police effective immediately. Thomas brings to SSU a wealth of public safety knowledge and experience that spans 23 years. In appointing Thomas, SSU aims to strengthen its commitment to campus safety and public service to all members of the campus community, including more than 1,900 residential students. Most recently, Thomas served as chief of police and director of public safety at Wellesley College (Mass.) from 2021-2023 and Virginia Union University (Va.) from 2019-2021. Thomas’ public safety career began at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2001 where she rose through the ranks to become patrol services lieutenant. Additionally, she served at the University of Chicago as captain of patrol services from 2013-2016 and at Vanderbilt University as captain of professional standards