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SSU 25th Anniversary Gala Honorees: Philanthropy

Mrs. Beatrice W. and Mr. Lemuel Campbell are ardent members of the Savannah State University (SSU) community. Beatrice is a 1967 graduate and dedicated her professional career to the development of young people as an educator teaching mathematics in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. She retired in 1997 after 30 years of service.


Lemuel, an Army veteran, graduated in 1974. His professional career lead him to CSX Transportation, where he served for 36 years, retiring in 2001 after 36 years of service. He is co-Founder of The Liberty City Athletic Organization and coached several teams in the city, county and Catholic league, and has served on several athletic boards for the city and county.  He is an inductee of the Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 2013, the couple established the Lemuel and Beatrice W. Campbell Athletic Endowed Scholarship Fund, to which they contribute to annually. Their giving, however, doesn’t stop there! The also support the Annual Scholarship Gala, College of Education, band and other areas of need at the University. The Campbells are Diamond Life members of the Savannah State University Alumni Association, and active members of the Savannah Chapter. Other memberships include The SSU Community Booster Club and President’s Club.

Dedicated community servants, The Campbells are founding charter members of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, Life Members of the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, Silver Life Members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and volunteers with Park Place, Social Apostolate, Inner City Night Shelter. The two are active members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and are recipients of The Garland Service Award from the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. They have served SSU as members of the Gala Committee, a Presidential Search Committee and on several Head Coach search committees.

   

Their unwavering support has been recognized through awards including the 2012 Mideastern Atlantic Conference Award, 2012 SSU Foundation Hall of Fame Award for Athletic Service, and the 2019 Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award. 

The Campbells have been married for 61 years, and have two children: Lemuel, II, and Tonja (Antonio) Smith, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

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