Savannah State University News

NROTC Midshipman Commanding Officer Harold Jarquin    At 22 years of age, Harold Jarquin has flown aboard the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler and taken a cruise on the USS Bataan, an 843-foot aircraft carrier equipped to act as a 600-bed hospital ship. Three years into his collegiate NRTOC career, he has risen to midshipman commanding officer, leading the 30-member NROTC Unit on campus. An electronics engineering technology major, Jarquin’s dedication to leadership and excellence is also evident in his school work, where he sustains a 3.7 overall GPA.   “Mr. Jarquin is by far our top midshipman and the position he holds is earned not given,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Adrian D. Ragland ’95, who commands the unit. “There’s no doubt that he will be a strong leader in the United States Navy.”   Born to a Colombian mother and a Nicaraguan father, Jarquin’s attraction to military service sprouted during his junior year in high school. After joining the Junior NROTC, he heard abo...

  Captain Ragland (left) at his assumption of command ceremony, accompanied by Mrs. Tunya Ragland, his guest speaker, CDR Antonio D. Hull (RET) (center) and Master Gunnery Sgt Kalalee Clements. Savannah State University NROTC Holds Assumption of Command Ceremony The Savannah State University (SSU) Navy ROTC Unit recently held the assumption of command ceremony for Captain Adrian D. Ragland. Commander Antonio D. Hull, United States Navy (retired) served as guest speaker during the ceremony.   Captain Ragland is a native of College Park, Ga. and a 1995 graduate of Savannah State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. His sea assignments include Damage Control Assistant and Second Division Officer in the USS Supply; Main Propulsion Assistant and Training Officer in the USS Carter Hall; and First Lieutenant in the USS Harpers, based in Sasebo, Japan.   Ragland was assigned as executive ...

Pictured: The Class of 1900 Front row left to right: M. L. Whitmire, R.R. Wright (President), O. C. Suggs, (Vice President), E. W. Bisard Back row, left to right: J.W.G. Haigler, F.A. Fields (Class Vice President), E. W. Houstoun (Class President), S. A. Grant (Class Secretary), E. McIntosh (Class Treasurer), E. A. Overstreet Savannah State University Now Accepting Nominations for Founders Day Awards Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Savannah State University Founders Day awards: Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award.  The honorees will be recognized during Savannah State University’s Founders Day on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. The event celebrates the history of the institution and those who have contributed to its success. The ceremony includes a guest speaker. Award criteria and the online nomination form can be found HERE . Attachments that are either too large or numero...

  image credit: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6190415 SSU Celebrates 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States each year from September 15 to October 15. It is a time to celebrate the histories,  cultures  and contributions of the many Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central and South America. The Festival was initiated in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, and was later extended by President Ronald Reagan to a 30-day celebration beginning every year on September 15th. It was passed into law on August 17, 1988.  Savannah State University joins the national celebration with a number of programs and activities being hosted on campus. The full schedule is below. For additional information, visit  https://savannahstate.libguides.com/hhf2023 September 15 - October 15 Asa H. Gordon Library  - Celebrat...

Lt. Col James Harvey, former fighter pilot with the  332 nd Fighter Group (Photo credit: USA Today) Savannah State University’s NROTC Unit Hosts former Tuskegee Airman Pilot Savannah State University’s NROTC Unit will host Lt. Col James Harvey on campus, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. in the King Frazier Elmore Theater. Harvey is a former fighter pilot with the 332 nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The fighter group made history in 1949 as winners of the first Top Gun contest, a competition that attracted the top pilots from across the U.S. Air Force. The event will provide an opportunity for Harvey to discuss his career as a Tuskegee Airman and field questions from the audience. The community is invited. For additional information:  Lt. Dimitri Foster at 912-358-3084

  Savannah State University Game-Day Parking   During all home football games, there will be campus gate closures and parking restrictions beginning three hours prior to kickoff.  The LaRoche Avenue gate will close three hours prior to kickoff. No vehicles may enter or exit. The LaRoche gate will remain closed throughout the event for the safety of pedestrians. The Jasmine, Whatley and Falligant Avenue gates will remain open. Parking fees to enter campus will begin 2.5 hours prior to kickoff.    Students, faculty and staff with valid parking decals will be allowed to enter campus at no charge. University decals will not allow for stadium parking.  Students will be able to access all student parking areas with valid student parking permits.   Only patrons with valid VIP parking credentials will be allowed to park at the stadium parking. Passes for stadium parking are available for purchase.      REMAINING HOME FO...

  Update as of Sept. 14, 10:05 a.m. SSU Campus Community: The Office of Public Safety has issued an all clear notice. We have been informed by the Chatham County Police Department that the non-institution related suspicious activity does not pose a threat to our campus. Please resume normal campus operations. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Sincerely, President Alexander  SSU Leadership Team The Office of Public Safety ******************* Be advised that the campus of Savannah State University is on temporary lockdown due to an investigation by the Chatham County Police Department. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.   Please shelter in place until we receive an all clear notice. Contact the Department of Public Safety at  912.358.3004  or dial 911 if you see any suspicious person(s) or activity.

      Dr. Karen Wheel Carter SSU’s Interim President Appoints Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Savannah State University’s (SSU) Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D. is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Karen Wheel Carter as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff.   Carter brings to SSU more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education, including serving at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. More recently, she served for 15 years at Georgia State University as Department Chair, Associate Academic Dean for Business and Health Professions, Associate Dean for Student Success, and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at Perimeter College.   In her various roles, she has provided leadership to faculty and staff while promoting student success. She has led institutional strategic planning and been responsible for facilitating organizational learning ...

   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