Savannah State University
Encyclopedia
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university (HBCU)
located in Savannah
, Georgia
. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia
. Savannah State University's mission statement
is "to graduate students who are prepared to perform at higher levels of economic productivity, social responsibility, and excellence in their chosen career fields of endeavor in a changing global community."
Savannah State operates three colleges (College of Business Administration
, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
, College of Sciences and Technology
) and the Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research
(OGSSR). It also operates four research centers (Center for Teaching, Learning and Academic Support, Savannah Entrepreneurial Center, The Midtown Project, and "A Collaboration to Integrate Research and Education in Marine and Environmental Science and Biotechnology" with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
, part of the University System of Georgia. Savannah State was ranked fourth tier in the U.S. News & World Report
America's Best Colleges 2008 (Universities–Master's (South) category).
, the organizational body that sets goals and dictates general policy to all public educational institutions in Georgia.
, tuition, fees, research grants, private scholarship funds (including the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
and the Tom Joyner Foundation), and alumni contributions. The University System of Georgia is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents and dispenses public funds (allocated by the state's legislature) to Savannah State, excluding lottery-funded HOPE Scholarships. The university's endowment was $2,433,508 As of FY05, the university's budget was $42,155,964. In FY06, the university received $7,725,311 in Research, Instruction, and Public Service Contracts and Grants.
passed legislation creating the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth.
A preliminary session of the school was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, Georgia where Richard R. Wright Sr.
was principal. The college operated in Athens for several months in 1891 before moving to its permanent location in Savannah on October 7, 1891, with Wright as the first president. The school had five faculty members. Its eight students were all graduates of Edmund Asa Ware High School, the first public high school for blacks in Augusta
.
programs. Normal schools had been created in the 19th century in many state systems in the United States, after the German
model, to educate teachers for elementary school students. With the expansion of towns across the United States, and continuing issues in trying to educate four million freedmen and their descendants, there was an urgent need to establish many new schools and to quickly train teachers in the North and the South. States used normal schools for training teachers for primary school grades and sometimes secondary school as well. Normal schools or colleges tended to have two or three-year programs. Gradually the normal schools were converted to full colleges with four-year curricula or were left behind.
In 1932 the college became a full member institution of the University System of Georgia
and its name was changed to Georgia State College. The college served as Georgia’s land-grant institution
for African-American students until 1947. The designation was then transferred to Fort Valley State College
). In January 1950, the college changed its name to Savannah State College.
elevated Savannah State College to the status of state university and the name was changed to Savannah State University.
Savannah State University is the first institution in the state of Georgia to offer the homeland security degree program. It was the second institution in the University System of Georgia to offer wireless Internet connectivity to students throughout the campus.
Students may choose from 23 accredited undergraduate baccalaureate and 5 graduate master’s degree programs offered through the university's colleges. The University has developed new partnerships that expand the range of programs and resources for students. Taking advantage of its location on the coast, the university's Marine Biology Department operates two research vessels: the R/V Sea Otter (a 35 ft (10.7 m) twin diesel vessel owned by NOAA) and the R/V Tiger (a 22 ft (6.7 m) outboard work boat). In the fall of 2007 Savannah State teamed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to offer a new course in environmental regulations, so students can deepen understanding of policy and implementation issues. The program also helps them learn about specific environmental topics.
Savannah State University administers an HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and awareness program funded by a grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
.
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
, Savannah State University also has achieved fully accredited programs in specialized areas of science and engineering:
Additionally, the Chemistry department is American Chemical Society
(ACS) certified.
The Bachelor and Masters programs in Social Work are accredited by the (Council on Social Work Education
), and the Masters in Public Administration by the (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
.
The College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
and the Mass Communications Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
Savannah State University is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) east southeast from the center of Savannah, Georgia
, 250 miles (402 km) from Atlanta, Georgia
, and 120 miles (193 km) from Jacksonville, Florida
. The campus is accessible from Interstate 95
and Interstate 16
. Spanish moss
drapes the dense live oak trees
, while palm trees
, magnolia
s, and a wide variety of azalea
s, camellia
s, and other native plants are scattered throughout the 175 acres (708,200.5 m²) marsh
-side campus at 32°1′20.76"N 81°3′18.44"W (32.0224339, -81.0551121)
in 1981. The facility had a variety of uses, including a bookstore, student center, male dormitory, and library. Needing too much renovation for continued use, the building was closed in 1996. The university and community created the Hill Hall Restoration Project to raise money for the project. After restoration, the building was reopened in 2008. It houses the university's Enrollment Management Center, a presidential suite, administrative offices, a lecture hall, a banquet room, and a small museum.
Tiger Arena
is the 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena which serves as the home for the university's basketball team and athletic department offices. Ted A. Wright Football Stadium
is the home of the university's football team and has an Olympic outdoor track. The 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium
opened in 1967. The track was constructed in 1995.
In 2004 the choir completed and released a live album, entitled RLW: "Revelation, Love, & Worship".
Members of the Wesleyan Gospel Choir participated in the NBCAHF Inaugural Gospel Explosion competition in 2006 and the International Gospel Retreat which aired on The Word Network. In 2007 the choir performed at the Dr. Bobby Jones International Gospel Music Industry Retreat which was also broadcast on The Word Network. The choir performed with Ann Nesby
during the 13th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival.
The university band, nicknamed the "Coastal Empire Sound Explosion", performs during Savannah State football games. They were featured performers in the Honda Battle of the Bands
in 2004 and 2005.
organizations currently have chapters at Savannah State University. These organizations are:
Other national fraternities and sororities with registered chapters currently on campus include:
At one time Alpha Phi Omega
service fraternity had a registered chapter at Savannah State.
is the official student-produced newspaper
of Savannah State University and provides both a print and on-line version.
, and can also be heard in Effingham
, Bryan
, Beaufort
, and Liberty
counties.
Established in 1975 and known as "the Voice of Savannah State University", WHCJ's current play formats include gospel, jazz, reggae, blues and salsa music, as well as talk shows, commentaries, and cultural enrichment programming.
align="center">
WOMEN'S
Basketball
Cross County
Golf
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
The Savannah State Tigers represent the university in college intercollegate athletics and are administered by the Savannah State University Athletic Department. The department dedicates about $2 million per year for its sports teams and facilities.
Savannah State University holds membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Division I (as an independent
) and participates in the following sports: football
, baseball
, basketball
(men and women), cross-country (men and women), tennis (men and women), track and field (men and women), volleyball (women only), golf (men), and softball
(women). On March 20, 2010, the Tigers were accepted as provisional members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
beginning on July 1, 2010.
The school gained notoriety when they finished the 2004–2005 men's basketball season a winless 0–28, the first Division I team to do so since Prairie View A&M University
in 1991–1992. The team’s final game (a 49–44 loss to Florida A&M) was covered by several national sports organizations including ESPN
.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
located in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. Savannah State University's mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
is "to graduate students who are prepared to perform at higher levels of economic productivity, social responsibility, and excellence in their chosen career fields of endeavor in a changing global community."
Savannah State operates three colleges (College of Business Administration
Savannah State University College of Business Administration
The College of Business Administration of Savannah State University offers the Bachelor of Business Administration degree with concentrations in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management, and Marketing. The college also offers an MBA program...
, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Savannah State University College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is the liberal arts college of Savannah State University. The college offers Bachelor of Arts degrees with concentrations in Africana studies, English language and literature , history, or mass communication The College of Liberal Arts and Social...
, College of Sciences and Technology
Savannah State University College of Sciences and Technology
The College of Sciences and Technology of Savannah State University offers the Masters of Science degree with a concentration in Marine Science and Bachelor of Science degrees with concentrations in civil engineering technology, computer science technology, electronics engineering technology,...
) and the Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research
Savannah State University Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research
The Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research coordinates the university's instructional, research and service programs.-Accreditation:The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools authorized Savannah State University to offer graduate degrees...
(OGSSR). It also operates four research centers (Center for Teaching, Learning and Academic Support, Savannah Entrepreneurial Center, The Midtown Project, and "A Collaboration to Integrate Research and Education in Marine and Environmental Science and Biotechnology" with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
The Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is an internationally renowned marine science research institute located on the northern end of Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1968, it is part of the University System of Georgia as an independent research unit...
, part of the University System of Georgia. Savannah State was ranked fourth tier in the U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
America's Best Colleges 2008 (Universities–Master's (South) category).
Demographics
The student body consists of 3,820 graduate and undergraduate students, and 385 full-time instructional faculty.Academic oversight
Oversight is provided by the University System of GeorgiaUniversity System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
, the organizational body that sets goals and dictates general policy to all public educational institutions in Georgia.
Funding
Savannah State is a public institution, receiving funds from the State of GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, tuition, fees, research grants, private scholarship funds (including the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund , named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice, was established in 1987. TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending 47-member schools, which include public Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Predominantly Black...
and the Tom Joyner Foundation), and alumni contributions. The University System of Georgia is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents and dispenses public funds (allocated by the state's legislature) to Savannah State, excluding lottery-funded HOPE Scholarships. The university's endowment was $2,433,508 As of FY05, the university's budget was $42,155,964. In FY06, the university received $7,725,311 in Research, Instruction, and Public Service Contracts and Grants.
History
SSU seal (1996–2008) |
|
| 1890 | Established as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth |
| 1891 | Relocated from Athens, Georgia Athens, Georgia Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city... to Savannah, Georgia Savannah, Georgia Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important... |
| 1921 | First female students admitted as campus residents. |
| 1928 | College became a full four-year degree-granting institution as high school and normal programs were removed. |
| 1932 | Renamed Georgia State College |
| 1947 | Land-grant Land-grant university Land-grant universities are institutions of higher education in the United States designated by each state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890.... designation transferred to Fort Valley State College Fort Valley State University Fort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund... ). |
| 1950 | Renamed Savannah State College |
| 1996 | Renamed Savannah State University |
Establishment
Savannah State University was originally founded as a result of the Second Morrill Land Grant Act of August 30, 1890. The act mandated that southern and border states develop land grant colleges for black students, as their systems were segregated. On November 26, 1890 the Georgia General AssemblyGeorgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is bicameral, being composed of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate....
passed legislation creating the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth.
A preliminary session of the school was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, Georgia where Richard R. Wright Sr.
Richard R. Wright
Richard Robert Wright, Sr. was an American military officer, educator and college president, politician, civil rights advocate and banking entrepreneur. Among his many accomplishments, he founded a high school, a college and a bank...
was principal. The college operated in Athens for several months in 1891 before moving to its permanent location in Savannah on October 7, 1891, with Wright as the first president. The school had five faculty members. Its eight students were all graduates of Edmund Asa Ware High School, the first public high school for blacks in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
.
Early years
The college awarded its first baccalaureate degree in 1898. In 1921 the first female students were admitted as residents on the campus. In 1928 the college became a full four-year degree-granting institution and ended the high school and normal schoolNormal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
programs. Normal schools had been created in the 19th century in many state systems in the United States, after the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
model, to educate teachers for elementary school students. With the expansion of towns across the United States, and continuing issues in trying to educate four million freedmen and their descendants, there was an urgent need to establish many new schools and to quickly train teachers in the North and the South. States used normal schools for training teachers for primary school grades and sometimes secondary school as well. Normal schools or colleges tended to have two or three-year programs. Gradually the normal schools were converted to full colleges with four-year curricula or were left behind.
In 1932 the college became a full member institution of the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
and its name was changed to Georgia State College. The college served as Georgia’s land-grant institution
Land-grant university
Land-grant universities are institutions of higher education in the United States designated by each state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890....
for African-American students until 1947. The designation was then transferred to Fort Valley State College
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley State University is a historically black university located in Fort Valley, Georgia. It is also a unit of the University System of Georgia and a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
). In January 1950, the college changed its name to Savannah State College.
Modern history
With the growth in its graduate and research programs, in 1996 the Board of Regents of the University System of GeorgiaGeorgia Board of Regents
The Georgia Board of Regents oversees the University System of Georgia as part of the state government of Georgia in the United States. The University System of Georgia is composed of all state public institutions of higher education.-History:...
elevated Savannah State College to the status of state university and the name was changed to Savannah State University.
Savannah State University is the first institution in the state of Georgia to offer the homeland security degree program. It was the second institution in the University System of Georgia to offer wireless Internet connectivity to students throughout the campus.
| The General's Daughter |
Savannah State University administers an HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and awareness program funded by a grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
.
Specialized accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
, Savannah State University also has achieved fully accredited programs in specialized areas of science and engineering:
- Civil Engineering Technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and TechnologyAccreditation Board for Engineering and TechnologyABET, Inc., formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is a non-profit organization that accredits post-secondary education programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology...
), - Electronics Engineering Technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers, Inc. (NARTE)), and
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Additionally, the Chemistry department is American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
(ACS) certified.
The Bachelor and Masters programs in Social Work are accredited by the (Council on Social Work Education
Council on Social Work Education
The Council on Social Work Education is the national association for social work education in the United States of America.The CSWE sets and maintains standards of courses and accreditation of bachelor's degree's and Master's degree programs in social work.The CSWE specifies foundation social work...
), and the Masters in Public Administration by the (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization. It is an association of schools of public policy schools at universities mostly in the United States and several abroad...
.
The College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business was founded in 1916 to accredit schools of business worldwide. The first accreditations took place in 1919. The stated mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership. It is regarded...
and the Mass Communications Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
Campus
Savannah State University is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) east southeast from the center of Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, 250 miles (402 km) from Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and 120 miles (193 km) from Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The campus is accessible from Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Georgia
Interstate 95, the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, serves the Atlantic coast of Georgia. It begins at the St. Marys River at the Florida state line north of Jacksonville and heads north past the border of South Carolina at the Savannah River...
and Interstate 16
Interstate 16
Interstate 16 , also known as Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway or State Route 404 , is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Georgia, United States...
. Spanish moss
Spanish Moss
Spanish moss is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, commonly the Southern Live Oak or Bald Cypress in the southeastern United States....
drapes the dense live oak trees
Live oak
Live oak , also known as the southern live oak, is a normally evergreen oak tree native to the southeastern United States...
, while palm trees
Arecaceae
Arecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
, magnolia
Magnolia
Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol....
s, and a wide variety of azalea
Azalea
Azaleas are flowering shrubs comprising two of the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron, Pentanthera and Tsutsuji . Azaleas bloom in spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks...
s, camellia
Camellia
Camellia, the camellias, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number...
s, and other native plants are scattered throughout the 175 acres (708,200.5 m²) marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
-side campus at 32°1′20.76"N 81°3′18.44"W (32.0224339, -81.0551121)
Early years
The original campus consisted of 86 acres (348,030 m²) and three buildings (Boggs Hall, Parsons Hall and a farmhouse), with 51 acres (206,390 m²) of the land serving as the school's farm. Several of the campus' older buildings were originally constructed by students and faculty members, and display architectural styles from the past century.Historic facilities
The Georgia Historical Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have recognized both the Savannah State campus and Hill Hall as a part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program.Hill Hall
Walter Bernard Hill Hall, built between 1900 and 1901 by students studying manual arts and blacksmithing, was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1981. The facility had a variety of uses, including a bookstore, student center, male dormitory, and library. Needing too much renovation for continued use, the building was closed in 1996. The university and community created the Hill Hall Restoration Project to raise money for the project. After restoration, the building was reopened in 2008. It houses the university's Enrollment Management Center, a presidential suite, administrative offices, a lecture hall, a banquet room, and a small museum.
Athletic facilities
Tiger Arena
Tiger Arena is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It is home to the Savannah State University Tigers basketball and volleyball teams...
is the 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena which serves as the home for the university's basketball team and athletic department offices. Ted A. Wright Football Stadium
Ted Wright Stadium
Ted Wright Stadium is a 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Savannah, Georgia. The facility is located on the campus of Savannah State University and is named in honor of Theodore Wright who served as the Tiger's head football coach from 1947-1949....
is the home of the university's football team and has an Olympic outdoor track. The 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium
Multi-purpose stadium
Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of stadium designed in such a way as to be easily used by multiple sports. While any stadium could potentially host more than one sport, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multi-functionality over specificity...
opened in 1967. The track was constructed in 1995.
Recent additions
On October 15, 2007 Savannah State broke ground on a new academic building which was dedicated on May 1, 2009. It is the first building constructed on the campus since 1986 and includes 10 classrooms, three lecture rooms, three computer labs, and an applied research and observation labs. The building also houses the Africana studies exhibit, the Dean of Humanities and faculty offices, the Public Administration/Urban Studies and the Social Work and Social and Behavioral Sciences departments.Student life
The university offers organized and informal co-curricular activities including 75 student organizations, leadership workshops, 15 intramural activities, student publications and student internships.Wesleyan Gospel Choir
The SSU Wesleyan Gospel Choir was established in 1971.In 2004 the choir completed and released a live album, entitled RLW: "Revelation, Love, & Worship".
Members of the Wesleyan Gospel Choir participated in the NBCAHF Inaugural Gospel Explosion competition in 2006 and the International Gospel Retreat which aired on The Word Network. In 2007 the choir performed at the Dr. Bobby Jones International Gospel Music Industry Retreat which was also broadcast on The Word Network. The choir performed with Ann Nesby
Ann Nesby
Ann Nesby is an American R&B, gospel, and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness; a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight; plus she co-starred in the 2003 romance musical The Fighting Temptations with Cuba...
during the 13th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival.
Marching Tiger band
Honda Battle of the Bands
The Honda Battle of the Bands is an annual marching band exhibition in the United States which features performances by bands from historically black colleges and universities...
in 2004 and 2005.
National fraternities and sororities
All nine of the National Pan-Hellenic CouncilNational Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine"...
organizations currently have chapters at Savannah State University. These organizations are:
| Organization | Symbol | Chapter | Chapter Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle... |
ΑΚA | Gamma Upsilon | ΓΥ |
| Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ... |
ΑΦΑ | Delta Eta | ΔΗ |
| Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University... |
ΔΣΘ | Delta Nu | ΔΝ |
| Iota Phi Theta | IΦΘ | Eta Gamma Chapter | ΗΓ |
| Kappa Alpha Psi Kappa Alpha Psi Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin... |
ΚΑΨ | Gamma Chi | ΓΧ |
| Omega Psi Phi Omega Psi Phi Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos... |
ΩΨΦ | Alpha Gamma | ΑΓ |
| Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma Phi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I... |
ΦΒΣ | Gamma Zeta | ΓΖ |
| Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on the campus of Butler University on November 12, 1922, by seven school teachers in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
ΣΓΡ | Alpha Iota | ΑΙ |
| Zeta Phi Beta Zeta Phi Beta Zeta Phi Beta is an international, historically black Greek-lettered sorority and a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.Zeta Phi Beta is organized into 800+ chapters, in eight intercontinental regions including the USA, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean... |
ΖΦΒ | Rho Beta | ΡΒ |
Other national fraternities and sororities with registered chapters currently on campus include:
| Organization | Symbol | Chapter | Chapter Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Sigma Pi Delta Sigma Pi ΔΣΠ ' is one of the largest co-ed professional business fraternities. Delta Sigma Pi was founded on November 7, 1907 at the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, New York University, New York, New York and is currently headquartered in Oxford, Ohio... |
ΔΣΠ | Kappa Chi | ΚΧ |
| Iota Phi Lambda Iota Phi Lambda Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. is the first African American Greek-lettered business sorority established by African American business women. There are now more than 100 chapters with membership numbering more than 5,000 in 85 cities and the US Virgin Islands... |
ΙΦΛ | ||
| Phi Beta Lambda | ΦΒΛ | ||
| Phi Alpha Delta Phi Alpha Delta ΦAΔ , or P.A.D., is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 300,000 initiated members... |
ΦΑΔ | ||
| Kappa Kappa Psi Kappa Kappa Psi Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternity for college and university band members. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. William Scroggs, now regarded as the "Founder," together with "Mr. Kappa Kappa Psi" A... |
KKΨ | Lambda Upsilon | ΛΥ |
| Delta Phi Omega | ΔΦΩ | ||
At one time Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...
service fraternity had a registered chapter at Savannah State.
Tiger's Roar
The Tiger's RoarTiger's Roar
The Tiger’s Roar is the official student newspaper of the Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia and has referred to itself as "the independent student voice of Savannah State University"...
is the official student-produced newspaper
Student newspaper
A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....
of Savannah State University and provides both a print and on-line version.
WHCJ (College Radio Station)
SSU operates WHCJ (FM) radio, which broadcasts 24 hours a day from the campus, covers all of Chatham CountyChatham County, Georgia
Chatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, and can also be heard in Effingham
Effingham County, Georgia
Effingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the United States Census of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat of Effingham County is Springfield....
, Bryan
Bryan County, Georgia
Bryan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 23,417. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 30,132...
, Beaufort
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
, and Liberty
Liberty County, Georgia
Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 61,610. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 60,503...
counties.
Established in 1975 and known as "the Voice of Savannah State University", WHCJ's current play formats include gospel, jazz, reggae, blues and salsa music, as well as talk shows, commentaries, and cultural enrichment programming.
Athletics
| SSU Athletics | |
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| Baseball | |
| Basketball Savannah State Tigers men's basketball The Savannah State Tigers basketball team competes in NCAA Division I as an independent and plays home games in Tiger Arena on the university campus.... |
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| Cross County | |
| Football Savannah State Tigers football The Savannah State Tigers football team represents Savannah State University in college football. The Tigers are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference . The football team is traditionally the most popular sport at Savannah State and home games are played at Ted A... |
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| Golf | |
| Track & Field |
The Savannah State Tigers represent the university in college intercollegate athletics and are administered by the Savannah State University Athletic Department. The department dedicates about $2 million per year for its sports teams and facilities.
Savannah State University holds membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I (as an independent
NCAA Division I-AA independent schools
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions in the United States whose football programs are not part of a football conference...
) and participates in the following sports: football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
, baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
, basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
(men and women), cross-country (men and women), tennis (men and women), track and field (men and women), volleyball (women only), golf (men), and softball
College softball
College softball is softball as played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education, predominantly in the United States. College softball is normally played by women at the intercollegiate level, whereas college baseball is normally played by men.As with other intercollegiate...
(women). On March 20, 2010, the Tigers were accepted as provisional members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
beginning on July 1, 2010.
The school gained notoriety when they finished the 2004–2005 men's basketball season a winless 0–28, the first Division I team to do so since Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...
in 1991–1992. The team’s final game (a 49–44 loss to Florida A&M) was covered by several national sports organizations including ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.
| {hidden begin|title=Additional athletics information|bodyalign=left|titlebackground=#D2B48C|bodybackground=#fffefd|titlestyle=padding-center: 0.5em;}}For additional information on Savannah State University athletics you may also want to view articles in the following categories: Savannah State Tigers football Savannah State Tigers football players Savannah State Tigers men's basketball coaches |
See also
| {hidden begin|title=Additional faculty information|bodyalign=left|titlebackground=#D2B48C|bodybackground=#fffefd|titlestyle=padding-center: 0.5em;}}For additional information on notable Savannah State University faculty and staff members you may also want to view articles in the following categories: :Category:Presidents of Savannah State University :Category:Savannah State University faculty :Category:Savannah State Tigers football coaches :Category:Savannah State Tigers men's basketball coaches |
- List of Savannah State University alumni
- List of Savannah State University faculty
- President of Savannah State UniversityPresident of Savannah State UniversityThe President of Savannah State University is the chief operating officer of the university. The position is sometimes called the chancellor or rector, at other American colleges and universities.-Current president:...
- President of Savannah State University
External links
- www.savannahstate.edu -- Official website