Savannah State University News

  Members of the Marine and Environmental Sciences Department pose with  President Kimberly Ballard Washington and the new, Pioneer vessel. In case you missed it, the Savannah State University (SSU) College of Science and Technology's    Marine and Environmental Sciences  department has a new member! Late last month the much anticipated Marine Science vessel was delivered to, and received by an enthusiastic group of students, faculty, staff, and SSU President Kimberly Ballard Washington. Captain Shawn Smith will be operating the boat, which has a 200 gallon fuel capacity that will enable the Marine and Environmental Science Department to conduct offshore research and conservation work. Vessel Details: Privateer 2600 Wanchese Open Cabin built by Radcliffe Boat Works, LLC Length: 26 ft Make: Privateer Model year: 2022 Model name: 2600 Wanchese Open Cabin Engines: 2 Suzuki outboard motors This vessel, which has taken two years to be build and was ordered...

  SSU Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander (blue dress) poses with outgoing SSU President, Kimberly Ballard Washington, and Brandon Ramirez, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and External Relations for Hyundai Motor America (blue coat), along with local and state officials. Savannah State University (SSU) has received a $25,000 gift from Hyundai Motor America in support of undergraduate students in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Additional to the scholarship investment, the funds will also be used to provide STEM camps to local children, to help expose more young minds to these areas of study, and promote more diversity in these careers. “Savannah State University is excited about our partnership with Hyundai,” said Cynthia Robinson Alexander, Interim President of Savannah State University. “This ongoing collaboration will allow us to better serve our students and our community. We know this is the first of many great initiatives a...

  Savannah State University (SSU) has named honor graduate Sarita B. Smith the recipient of the President’s Second Mile Award. Anderson received the honor during the 202nd Commencement Ceremony held on May 5.   Presented during each commencement ceremony to a deserving senior in recognition of stellar and meritorious achievement, the President’s Second Mile Award is the highest honor awarded to a student and is based upon character, values, leadership, and service to the university and the larger community. Smith is a student that her professors describe as someone who “displays tremendous academic skill, but also posses the virtues of justice and compassion.”  During her time at SSU, her deep passion for serving others, along with her exceptional leadership skills, compelled Ms. Smith to invest countless hours of her time volunteering around campus in the offices of Diversity and Inclusion, and Department of Housing and Student Life. Her on campus supervisors are q...

  On Friday, May 5, the 202nd commencement ceremony of Savannah State University (SSU) took place at T. A. Wright Stadium at 9 a.m. and was also live-streamed. You can watch the video here , to see over 350 students receive master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees. Georgia State Senator, Sonya M. Halpern provided the commencement address, and presented the President Kimberly Ballard Washington, and Harold N. Washington , President of the Savannah State University National Alumni Association ( SSUNAA ), with a $10,000 check for the university. Mr. Washington, Senator Halpern, and President Ballard Washington are pictured above. Senator Halpern was elected in 2020 and is currently serving in her second term in the Georgia State Senate. Representing neighborhoods across the five cities of Atlanta, including the City of South Fulton, College Park, East Point, and Union City, District 39 is one of the most socio-economically diverse districts in the state of Georgia and the count...

  Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts exhibit will be on display through May 30. Savannah State University’s Visual and Performing Arts program is showcasing a new group exhibition by Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts (FAAA) with Guest Curator and local Savannah artist, Betsy Cain. As part of the Savannah Black Heritage Festival, the exhibition will run Thursday, Feb. 23 through Monday, May 30 in the Kennedy Fine Arts Gallery, located in the Kennedy Fine Arts Building, 3219 College St. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. “We are delighted to host the many talented FAAA artists to exhibit on campus once again,” said Professor Nicholas Silberg, department chair of Fine Arts, Humanities and Wellness. “It is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the community to be able to view the art and interact with the artists.” Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts was formed in 2007 with a mandate to raise public aw...

  Savannah State University’s Visual and Performing Arts program in collaboration with the 34th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival presents: “The Best Of,” featuring a series of paintings reflecting culture, family, conceptual ideas and portraits by Margie Marie and Napoleon Wilkerson. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Access Gallery located in the university’s Social Sciences building, 3219 College Street. “This collection of works gives local audiences a unique opportunity to view the evolution of two fine local artists who convey strength, beauty, love and hope in their visual expressions,” said Professor Nicholas Silberg, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, Humanities and Wellness. Margie Marie is a Visual and Performing Arts alumna and Savannah painter best known for her mural size paintings in acrylics that tell a story. Napoleon Wilkerson explores family and culture as his subject matter through watercolors and acrylics. Marie an...

From left: Harry Chaney, General Manager of Chatham Parkway Toyota, Alma Pittman, Co-owner of Pittman Enterprises, Savannah State University President Kimberly Ballard-Washington, Dr. Shalonda Mullgrav, Interim Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs, and Darryl Piner, Chief Financial Officer of Pittman Enterprises. Savannah State University is the recipient of a $20,000 donation from Pittman Enterprises, the parent company of Chatham Parkway Motors. A check presentation ceremony was recently held to celebrate the gift, which President Kimberly Ballard-Washington proudly accepted on behalf of the university.  "We are so grateful to receive this gift from Pittman Enterprises," said President Ballard-Washington. Having organizations recognize the good that is going on with our students and the opportunity that exists to help them further themselves is a wonderful thing, and we are very appreciative for the dedication they have to higher education."  ...