Skip to main content

Savannah State University NROTC Holds Assumption of Command Ceremony

 



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 officer and commanding officer in the USS Tortuga. where he supported Operation Tomodachi, embarking 300 Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces and land vehicles in the wake of the tsunami that impacted Japan in 2011. 

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards); Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal and various expeditionary, campaign, unit and service awards. Ragland earned a Master of Science in National Security Resource Strategy from Eisenhower School, National Defense University.

 The SSU NROTC was established on Sept. 22, 1971 with the enrollment of 41 midshipmen. The first three officers were commissioned in June 1974. In June 1977, the first two female officers were commissioned. In August of 1977 the first cross-town midshipman from Georgia Southern University, formerly Armstrong State University, was commissioned. The unit currently has 30 midshipmen enrolled.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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