Skip to main content

Savannah State University Honors Distinguished Alumni at Annual Founders’ Day

Savannah State University President Kimberly Ballard- Washington (left) presents Tatia Adams Fox (right), Class of ’03, with the Richard R. Wright award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an SSU alumni. Photo credit: SSU Multimedia Specialist Sarah Peacock.

Savannah State University (SSU) recently celebrated its 132nd Founders’ Day honoring two esteemed alumni with prestigious awards - The Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence and The Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award.

Presented to alumna Tatia Adams Fox, Class of ’03, and named for the first president of SSU, The Richard R. Wright award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon alumni, recognizing outstanding leaders who have distinguished themselves through their expertise in social, educational and civic arenas.

A Savannah native, Fox earned dual bachelor degrees in business administration and mass communications from SSU. She also earned a master’s degree in integrated marketing from Roosevelt University. She recently joined American Express with over 25 years of experience in marketing, project management, client partnerships and entertainment. She is a member of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, New York Women’s Foundation Circle of Sisters Social for Social Change, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity.

The Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award, named for the university’s second president, recognizes outstanding alumni who have shown extraordinary support and loyalty. The award was presented to Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin, Sr., Class of ‘74.

Carolyn Price (right), president of the SSUNAA Savannah Chapter accepts the Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award on behalf of Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin, Sr., who was not able to be in attendance. She is pictured with President of Savannah State University Kimberly Ballard-Washington (left). Photo credit: SSU Multimedia Specialist Sarah Peacock.

Retired Marine Corps Veteran Lt. Gen. Gaskin is Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. He served as the Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and is the first Black American to command a marine division. He was the 19th deputy chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee and was the acting chairman of the NATO Military Committee from November 2011 to January 2012, making him only the second American to ever hold the position.

A graduate of Savannah State University's NROTC scholarship program, Lt. Gen. Gaskin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma, summa cum laude, and completed the senior executive seminar from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. A previous recipient of The Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence (2008), he is a dedicated supporter of SSU. He serves as a director for the SSU Foundation Board and most recently secured three generous gifts to support SSU students through his work as a committee member for the SSU Foundation's homecoming Scholarship Golf Scramble.

The annual Founders’ Day event is a ceremony held to commemorate the founding of Savannah State University as an institution of higher learning and to recognize those who have contributed to its success.


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...

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  

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 ...