Skip to main content

Savannah State University Holds 200th Commencement Ceremony on May 6

Capt. Donnie Cochran

On Friday, May 6, the 200th commencement ceremony of Savannah State University will be held at T. A. Wright Stadium located on the university’s campus. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will also be live-streamed. More than 365 students will receive master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees.

Esteemed alumnus, Capt. Donnie Cochran, U.S. Navy, retired, will serve as the commencement speaker. Cochran, a 1976 graduate of Savannah State University, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology and is the first African-American aviator to be selected to the United States Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. He is also a graduate of the Air War College in Montgomery, Ala. and earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy State University.

In 1994, Cochran was named as the first African-American commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels. He retired from the U.S. Navy with over 24 years of aviation experience. During his final assignment, he served as the Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, second in command of over 7,000 people at over 1,500 locations around the nation and abroad. 

Cochran’s extraordinary career includes significant contributions to aviation in the civilian aviation industry. He was a flight training supervisor for United Parcel Services (UPS) and spent a decade at The Coca-Cola Company as a manager of aviation programs. Cochran served as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC Unit at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and as a Professor of Naval Science at both FAMU and Florida State University. He is a 2022 inductee into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.

Savannah State University dedicated a memorial on the university's campus in honor of Cochran. It contains an A4 aircraft on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Fla., painted in the Blue Angels traditional colors.

Students and guests may choose to wear masks during the graduation ceremony based on preference and assessment of personal risk. More information about graduation exercises is available online by visiting savannahstate.edu/commencement.

Popular posts from this blog

SSU Announces 40 Under 40 Awards

SSU Announces 40 Under 40 Awards Savannah State University (SSU) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards to recognize young alumni of the university who have made significant contributions to their profession and community. “Ideal candidates for the award should have achieved notable professional success, demonstrated exceptional leadership in their fields, made a positive impact in their communities and embodied the values and mission of Savannah State University,” said Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D., SSU Interim President. A nomination form is available HERE . The form requires the nominee's contact information, a brief description of their accomplishments, and an explanation of why they deserve to be recognized. The nomination deadline is August, 30, 2024. Only graduates of Savannah State University may submit a nomination. Only two nominations are allowed from each nominator. Self-nominations will not be accepted. All nominations will be reviewed b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Commencement Live Feed

SSU's 204th  Commencement Ceremony WHAT: Savannah State University holds its 204th commencement ceremony. WHO: “Pinky” Cole Hayes, owner of the Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan Restaurant chain, will deliver the commencement address. WHEN: Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9 a.m. WHERE: T. A. Wright Stadium on the SSU campus, 3219 College Street, Savannah, Ga. 31404 Click HERE to Watch the Live Stream  
1 comment
Read more

Savannah State University Presidential Search Committee Named

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2024 The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named members of the Savannah State University (SSU) Presidential Search Committee. The committee will conduct a national search for a permanent president to lead the historic university. President Cynthia Robinson Alexander has held the interim role since July 1, 2023, following the departure of the previous president, Kimberly Ballard-Washington. Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the first and oldest public historically Black college or university in Georgia and was the first institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. “Savannah State holds a distinct and critical role in educating Georgia’s students and helping the city and region thrive,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “This national search is about finding a leader who can build on that work, as SSU focuses on being a premier HBCU that prepares graduates for success and prosperity in ...
Post a Comment
Read more