Savannah State University News

From left: Taylor Mays, Keya Marie Jest and Brier Alexander   Savannah State University Students Awarded Study Abroad Scholarships Three students Awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for travel to Ghana Three Savanah State University (SSU) undergraduate students have been awarded scholarships from the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program to travel to Amankwakrom in eastern Ghana in summer 2024. The study abroad trip will tackle issues related to poverty, maternal mental health, social and emotional learning, and teen pregnancy. Students Brier Alexander, Taylor Mays and Keya Marie Jest, all social work students, are the recipients of the Gilman scholarship. They will join an additional seven SSU students who will also participate in the study abroad experience. They will be accompanied by Dr. Roenia Deloach, SSU professor of Social Work, and Dr. Catherine Gayle, chair of SSU’s Department of Social Work. The trip is...

Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D. and Tre'na Monique Brown   SSU’s Education Major Earns Second Mile Award  Savannah State University’s (SSU) Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, J.D. honored graduating senior Tre’na Monique Brown with the President’s Second Mile Award during the university’s fall 2023 commencement on December 8. The award, the highest distinction given to a graduating senior, was established in 2001 to recognize students who exemplify stellar character, values, leadership and community service.   Brown is a 2018 graduate of Greenville High School in Greenville, Ga. She received a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in mathematics and science from SSU. During her time at Savannah State, she played several leadership and community service roles, including serving on the Student Government Association as Justice of Housing and President of the Junior class. She also served as president of the Geor...

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Eden Turner, Class of 2023 Eden Turner's Next Assignment: Education Reporter   Eden Turner, who has served as editor-in-chief for the Tiger’s Roar student newspaper since fall 2022, is graduating this week. Her new post, beginning in January 2024, is as education reporter for the Times-News newspaper in Twin Falls, Idaho. “I’m very excited and I can’t wait,” said Turner. “This is a big change for me.” Raised in Mableton, Ga., Turner joined the Tiger’s Roar in fall 2021 after starting at Savannah State the previous fall, having earned 13 dual-enrollment credits in high school. During her time at SSU she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. She also volunteered as a writing fellow at Savannah’s Deep Center, a community-based non-profit organization that seeks to empower young people through writing and art. She also took an internship at the Savannah Morning News in January 2022. She stayed 17 months working as a general assign...

  Antoinette Locklin, Class of 2023. Future Teacher Graduates with a 3.0 GPA Antoinette Locklin was drawn to tutoring and education after three younger cousins were welcomed into her household when she was in her early teens. They were behind in school and she began to tutor them. It was the start of her love for teaching and what brought her to Savannah State University’s College of Education in fall 2018. Once on campus, she joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Council of Negro Women student organizations. Off campus, she connected with Delta Phi Delta, a serviced-based Greek organization that relies on dance to provide community service. “Everybody’s pathway to college is different,” said Locklin. “As a family we have endured a lot and I made education my focus.” The Atlanta native managed to serve as a substitute teacher at Murray Middle School in St. Augustin, Fla. for two years, during the times when she was not attendin...

   Tianna West, Class of 2023 Tianna West Will Pursue a Graduate Degree in Pharmacy     Tianna West came to Savannah State University (SSU) in 2019 after graduating from Savannah’s Herschel V. Jenkins High School. Growing up in a single-family home, she watched her mother struggle to provide the basic needs. She was able to transition from high school to SSU with the support of the Upper Bound program. Once on campus, she was greeted by Dr. Carolyn Jordan, who welcomed her into the Honors Program. “She has been my mentor and she introduced me to a lot of scholarships,” said West. “We had meetings every week and I got a lot of advice from her.” West soon secured a Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) scholarship, which along with support from the Honors Program, will allow her to graduate in December 2023 with no student loans to repay. A chemistry major with a cumulative 3.198 GPA, West looks back on what kept her motivated during her four years on campus...

Kenneth Lockhart, Class of 2023. Kenneth Lockhart Graduates with a 4.0 GPA and is Bound for Georgia Tech Kenneth Lockhart knows he can get anywhere from here. Just like the tagline says. After graduating from Savannah State University (SSU) in December 2023, the electronics engineering major and punter for the Tigers football team is headed for the Georgia Institute of Technology to pursue a Master of Science in cybersecurity and to continue his punting career with the Yellow Jackets. The Hinesville, Ga. native is graduating from SSU with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. He starts at Georgia Tech in spring 2024. “I’ve always had a passion to learn and apply knowledge,” he said. “I want to improve as a scholar and as a football player. It’s an attitude of always wanting to improve.” He draws motivation from his parents who always worked hard and provide for him. “Their dedication to raising me was pretty motivational,” he added. Curiosity is what drew him to electronics. “I was alw...

  Savannah State University to Hold 203 rd Commencement Ceremony Dec. 8   What:             Savannah State University will hold its 203rd commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec 8, at 9 a.m. in T. A. Wright Stadium for the Fall Class of 2023.   Who:               Approximately 230 students will be in attendance to receive master’s, bachelor’s or associate degrees. This will be the first commencement ceremony for Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander. Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Mayor of Atlanta, will serve as the commencement speaker .   When:             Friday, Dec 8, at 9 a.m.   Where:           Savannah State University’s T. A. Wright Stadium, 4437 Skidaway Rd, Savannah, GA 31404   Savannah State to Hold...