Skip to main content

Savannah State University to Celebrate Annual Founders’ Day

 

Alumnus Alfred D. McGuire, Jr., Class of ’03, has been selected to speak at Savannah State University’s annual Founders’ Day celebration.

Savannah State University (SSU) will celebrate its 132nd Founders’ Day on Thursday, Nov. 10, with alumnus Alfred D. McGuire, Jr., Class of ‘03, as speaker. An awards ceremony and observance of the university’s history, the annual event recognizes outstanding alumni and/or community members and those who have contributed to its success. Free and open to the public, the event will take place in the Student Union Ballrooms, 3219 College St., at 9:30 a.m.

A native of Lithonia, Ga., McGuire is the principal of Woodville Tompkins High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in middle grades education from Armstrong University (Georgia Southern University). He also graduated from Mercer University with an Educational Specialist degree in educational leadership (K-12).

As a student at SSU, he was one of the founders and organizers of Achievers of Today and Tomorrow, Inc., a student organization committed to developing the professional, academic, and social lives of its members while serving the campus and surrounding community. McGuire began his career in the field of education with the Educational Talent Search program at Savannah State University, a federal outreach program designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and ultimately prepare them for post-secondary education.

Founded by an act of the general assembly on November 26, 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black university in the University System of Georgia. A preliminary session of the school was held between June 1 and August 1, 1891, at the Baxter Street School building in Athens, Georgia, with Richard R. Wright as the principal and three other instructors. In 1892, the school was moved to its present site in east Savannah and officially named The Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth. Richard R. Wright was the first president. His son, Richard R. Wright Jr., received the first degree awarded by the college in 1898.

For more information or to live stream the event, visit SavannahState.edu.

Popular posts from this blog

SSU Foundation, Inc. Elects New Officers

    Chairwoman, Dr. Clementine Washington  The Savannah State University Foundation elected new officers during its 2025 winter board meeting held January 18 on the Savannah State University campus. The new officers will serve a 3-year term and were sworn into their new roles effective immediately. The new officers include Chairwoman, Dr. Clementine Washington; Vice Chairman, Mr. Michael Kaigler; Secretary, Mr. James Melvin; Treasurer, Mr. John Kelley; and Financial Secretary, Mrs. Carolyn Price. “It is with profound humility and gratitude that I thank you for your vote of confidence in electing me to serve as Chairman of the Savannah State University Foundation, Inc.,” said Washington. “During my term of office, we will work together as ‘One SSU’ to conduct the business of the Foundation, pursue my campaign goals, and consider other initiatives that may be presented, evaluated, and approved by the board membership.” The Savannah State University Foundation, Inc. is ...
Post a 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

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