William Kenneth Payne served as president of Georgia State College

Savannah State University

Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...

 from 1949 until his death in 1963.

Early career

Payne, who was the dean of Georgia State College, became acting president when James A. Colston

James A. Colston

James A. Colston became the first African-American to serve as president of a college in the state of New York and was among the first to lead a predominately white college when he was named president of the Bronx Community College in 1966.Dr...

resigned in 1949.

President

Payne became president of Georgia State College in 1950. The first modern era building program was started during Payne’s tenure as President. Current campus buildings including Richard R. Wright Hall, Colston Hall, Wiley Gymnasium, and B. F. Hubert Technical Sciences Center were constructed during this period. Additionally, it was during his term that the institution’s name was changed to Savannah State College (September 1950).

President Payne died in August 1963 while in office.

Legacy

William K. Payne Hall, dedicated in 1966, is the home of English, Social Studies, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Sociology departments.

Suggested Reading

• Hall, Clyde W (1991). One Hundred Years of Educating at Savannah State College, 1890-1990. East Peoria, Ill.: Versa Press.