Savannah State University News

SSU 10th Annual Research Conference is April 2 The Savannah State University (SSU) 10th Annual Research Conference (ARC) will be held April 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballrooms. The event is free and open to the public. Each year, SSU conducts this research conference to recognize faculty, graduate and undergraduate student research, including research conducted through externally-funded research. One of the goals of the conference is to bring awareness about the academic research conducted on campus and foster partnerships with K-12, higher education, and industry entities to advance scholarship and research collaborations. The conference is an opportunity for faculty and students from all academic programs to present their research in the form of poster presentations. For more information visit the Research Conference webpage or contact Dr. Jonathan Lambright, interim vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs and conference director at (912) 358-3267...

Slutty Vegan Owner to Speak at Savannah State University Commencement   “Pinky” Cole Hayes, founder of the immensely popular Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan restaurant chain and 2023 TIME100 Next honoree, is returning to Savannah State University (SSU) this spring to deliver the commencement speech to the class of 2024.   Cole Hayes visited the university in the fall as part of her book tour for her autobiographical book, “I Hope You Fail,” which details the trials and tribulations she overcame to become the successful owner of 14 restaurants in Georgia, New York, Texas and Alabama in just six years. As the title implies, success has not been easy. Her father was sentenced to prison the day she was born. Her first restaurant burned down. Just as her innovative plant-based burger restaurant venture was gaining popularity, a pandemic rocked the world.   “I had the privilege of presenting my book at Savannah State and personally shared with students how some of my most signific...

National Presidential Searches Announced for Albany State University  & Savannah State University Atlanta — March 15, 2024 The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has announced it will conduct national searches to find the next presidents of Albany State University (ASU) and Savannah State University (SSU). ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick  announced last month  her plan to accept a new role at Georgia State University as executive vice president and chief of staff, effective July 1, 2024. Fedrick will additionally serve as a senior advisor to Chancellor Sonny Perdue for initiatives related to the system’s three public historically Black colleges and universities, which include ASU, SSU and Fort Valley State University. Cynthia Robinson Alexander, previously USG’s associate vice chancellor for finance,  has served as interim president of SSU  since July 2023 after the departure of President Kimberly Ballard-Washington. She will cont...

The 2024 Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program is officially underway! It’s time for all SSU students, alumni, faculty, staff – the whole community – to go vote! The top three schools with the most votes in each cluster can win up to $150K in Campus Improvement Grants. How to Vote: • Visit the Home Depot RYS website to cast your vote daily. The only votes that will count toward your HBCU’s official vote total will be those made at https://retoolyourschool.com/vote . • Anyone can vote • Vote as many times as you want! • Check the leader board every day at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see where your school stands. The Voting Period ends March 24, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Click for a complete list of official program rules. Let everyone know you’ve voted! Be sure to post one of the pictures below on social media that you’ve voted for your HBCU!

Clarella “Meshia” Thomas is the new Chief of Police at Savanah State University. Photo Credit: Jordan Ewing Savannah State University has selected Clarella “Meshia” Thomas as the new campus Chief of Police effective immediately. Thomas brings to SSU a wealth of public safety knowledge and experience that spans 23 years. In appointing Thomas, SSU aims to strengthen its commitment to campus safety and public service to all members of the campus community, including more than 1,900 residential students. Most recently, Thomas served as chief of police and director of public safety at Wellesley College (Mass.) from 2021-2023 and Virginia Union University (Va.) from 2019-2021. Thomas’ public safety career began at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2001 where she rose through the ranks to become patrol services lieutenant. Additionally, she served at the University of Chicago as captain of patrol services from 2013-2016 and at Vanderbilt University as captain of professional standards ...

Savannah State University Announces 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala Michael Williams and David Paddison Will Serve as Gala Co-chairs Savannah State University (SSU) is pleased to announce the 25th Anniversary Scholarship Gala will be held on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. The Gala provides a meaningful opportunity for the community to support students with financial assistance as they work to earn a college degree. Nearly 90 percent of the students at Savannah State University utilize some form of financial aid to achieve a college degree. This year’s theme is “The Masquerade Gala: An Evening of Scholarship and Splendor.” The evening will feature an Awards of Excellence presentation, honoring a select group of distinguished individuals (alumni and friends of the university) for their contributions to Savannah State and the greater community. Honorees will be recognized for exemplary contributions in the areas of leadership, philanthropy, scholarship...