Skip to main content

SSU to Observe National Freedom Day Feb. 1

 

Commemoration Founded by SSU’s First President Kicks off Black History Month

 SAVANNAH, Ga - Savannah State University’s (SSU) Honors Program will host a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate National Freedom Day at noon on Saturday, Feb. 1. at the Richard R. Wright Sr. bust in front of Wright Hall on the SSU campus, 3219 College Street, Savannah. The event is free and open to the public. 

Wright, who was SSU’s first president in 1890, later rallied local and national leaders to establish National Freedom Day to memorialize President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. This year’s celebration marks the 160th anniversary of that historic act. President Harry Truman signed a proclamation naming Feb. 1 National Freedom Day in 1948. 

"National Freedom Day has been celebrated since its inception in 1948,” said Dr. Carolyn Jordan, director of SSU’s Honors Program. “Savannah State University students continue to walk in the footsteps of our Founding President Richard R. Wright Sr. as they ‘Tell Them We are Rising!’" 

Preceding the celebration, Mr. Clinton A. Banks-Vicks will deliver a keynote address in the King Frazier Student Center at 6:30 p.m. on Friday Jan. 31 (also free and open to the public). He will share perspectives from his educational journey and explore the intersection of arts and commerce as a tool for liberation. An entrepreneur, educator, farmer, chef, entertainer, and thought leader, Banks-Vicks is the president of the Dougherty County (Georgia) Association of Educators.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

Message from Interim President Alexander

  Dear   SSU Campus   Community,   As we start the new year, I would like to take a moment to recount the many milestones we achieved as a campus family in 2024. This was a year of positive change, strategic growth and   major   accomplishments for our beloved Savannah State University (SSU). I am so proud of how our students, faculty, and staff have set and reached new goals and how many   of   our alums have lovingly supported their alma mater and inspired the next generation.   By strategically targeting expanding job markets, diligently pursuing grants, and writing winning proposals, we are now developing new courses in elementary education, forensic toxicology, and film. By collaborating with local, national, and international partners, we have secured internship opportunities for our students in manufacturing, healthcare, and several Dutch-owned companies, pursuant to a successful summer visit with the King and Queen of the Neth...
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