{{Short description|Historically black university in Savannah, Georgia, US}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = Savannah State University | native_name = | image_name = Savannah State University seal.jpg | image_size = 150 | former_names = Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth<br>(1890–1932)<br />Georgia State College<br>(1932–1950)<br />Savannah State College<br>(1950–1996) | caption = | motto = {{lang|la|Lux Et Veritas}} | mottoeng = Light and Truth | established = {{start date and age|1890|11|26}}<ref name="New Georgia">{{New Georgia Encyclopedia|id=h-1428|name=Savannah State University|date=2005-09-25|accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref><ref name="HBCU History">{{cite web|title =Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Savannah State University|url =http://www.petersons.com/blackcolleges/profiles/savannah.asp?sponsor=2904|access-date =2007-08-27|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092130/http://www.petersons.com/blackcolleges/profiles/savannah.asp?sponsor=2904|archive-date =2007-09-29}}</ref> | closed = | type = Public historically black university<ref name="PresHBCU">{{cite web|url=http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whhbcu/edlite-list.html |title=List of HBCUs -- White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities |date=2007-08-16 |access-date=2008-01-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223032324/http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whhbcu/edlite-list.html |archive-date=2007-12-23 }}</ref> | parent = University System of Georgia | academic_affiliation = Space-grant | endowment = $10 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://datausa.io/profile/university/savannah-state-university | title=Savannah State University | Data USA }}</ref> | officer_in_charge = | chairman = | chancellor = | president = Jermaine Whirl | vice-president = | superintendent = | provost = Marcus Cox | vice_chancellor = | rector = | principal = | dean = | director = | head_label = | head = | faculty = | administrative_staff = | students = 2,945 (fall 2022)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Savannah+State+University&s=all&id=140960|title=College Navigator - Savannah State University|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref> | postgrad = | doctoral = | other = | city = Savannah, Georgia | country = United States | coor = {{coord|32|1|30|N|81|3|50|W|type:edu_region:US-GA|display=inline,title}} | campus = {{convert|401|acre|m2|1|adj=on}}, coastal setting<ref name="IRP">{{cite web|url=http://irp.savannahstate.edu/IRP/Common_Data_Set/cdsapg.htm|title=Savannah General Information|year=2003|access-date=2007-05-04|publisher=Savannah State University Office of Institutional Research & Planning}}</ref> | free_label = Newspaper | free = ''The Tiger's Roar''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tigersroar.com/|title=tigersroar.com | The Independent Student Voice of Savannah State University|first=The Tiger's|last=Roar|date=October 27, 2023|website=The Tiger's Roar}}</ref> | sports = | colors = Burnt orange and reflex blue<br />{{color box|#CC5500}} {{color box|Blue}} | nickname = Tigers and Lady Tigers | mascot = | sporting_affiliations = NCAA Division II – SIAC | website = {{url|https://www.savannahstate.edu/|savannahstate.edu}} | address = | logo = Savannah state univ logo.png | logo_size = 200 | footnotes = }}
'''Savannah State University''' ('''SSU''') is a public historically black university in Savannah, Georgia, United States.<ref name="PresHBCU" /> It is the oldest historically black public university in the state.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mastrovita |first1=Mandy |title=Morrill Land-Grant Act Sesquicentennial |url=https://blog.dlg.galileo.usg.edu/?p=3589 |website=Blog of the Digital Library of Georgia (the DLG B) |access-date=May 26, 2020 |date=April 7, 2012}}</ref> The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Savannah State operates four colleges: College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Sciences and Technology and the Savannah State University College of Education.
== History == {| style="float:right; border:1px solid gray; width:250px; display:inline-block; margin-left:1em;" |+ SSU's history |- |1890 |width="175pt"|Established as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth<ref name="SSU History">{{cite web|title=SSU - Where Savannah Meets the Sea...|url=http://webpages.charter.net/ssuatl/history.htm|access-date=2008-08-31}}</ref> |- |1891 |width="175pt"|Relocated from Athens to Savannah<ref name="umes">{{Cite web|title=Savannah State University was founded in 1890 |url=http://www.umes.edu/lmrcsc/ssu%20overview.htm |access-date=2007-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702125226/http://www.umes.edu/lmrcsc/ssu%20overview.htm |archive-date=2007-07-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |1921 |width="175pt"|First female students admitted as campus residents<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" /> |- |1928 |width="175pt"|Became a full four-year degree-granting institution; high school and normal programs were removed<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" /> |- |1932 |width="175pt"|Renamed Georgia State College<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" /> |- |1947 |width="175pt"|Land-grant designation transferred to Fort Valley State College<ref name="HBCU History"/> |- |1950 |width="175pt"|Renamed Savannah State College<ref name="HBCU History"/> |- |1996 |width="175pt"|Renamed Savannah State University<ref name="catalog">{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/UG_CATALOG/GENERAL_CATALOG%2005%2007.pdf |title=Savannah State University 2005-2007 Catalog |year=2005 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125329/http://www.savannahstate.edu/UG_CATALOG/GENERAL_CATALOG%2005%2007.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> |}
===Establishment=== Savannah State University was founded as a result of the Second Morrill Land Grant Act of August 30, 1890.<ref name="catalog"/> 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 Assembly passed legislation creating the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth.<ref name="SSU History" />
A preliminary session of the school was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, where Richard R. Wright Sr. was principal.<ref name="GA encyc">{{cite web|title=New Georgia Encyclopedia: Savannah State University|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1428|access-date=2007-08-30}}</ref> The college operated there for several months during 1891, before moving to its permanent location in Savannah on October 7, 1891, with Wright as the first president.<ref name="umes" /> 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.<ref name="GA encyc" /> The campus was built on the former lands of Placentia Plantation, including its colored cemetery.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Editorial: Georgia's dark past remembered as SSU builds for future |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/07/03/editorial-georgias-dark-past-remembered-ssu-builds-future/13921769007/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Savannah Morning News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Early years=== The college awarded its first baccalaureate degree in 1898.<ref name="HBCU History"/> In 1921, the first female students were admitted as residents on the campus.<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" /> In 1928, the college became a full four-year degree-granting institution and ended its high school and normal school 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 US, 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 train teachers quickly 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.<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" />
In 1932, the college became a full member institution of the University System of Georgia and its name was changed to Georgia State College.<ref name="HBCU History"/><ref name="GA encyc" /> 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.<ref name="HBCU History"/> In January 1950, the college changed its name to Savannah State College.<ref name="HBCU History"/>
===Modern history=== With the growth in its graduate and research programs, in 1996 the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia elevated Savannah State College to the status of state university and the name was changed to Savannah State University.<ref name="catalog"/>
In 2008, a proposal was made to merge Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University, but it did not pass.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lawmaker Suggests HBCU, Majority School Merger|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97802436|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Senator: Combine black colleges with others|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20081201/NEWS/312019895|last=Larrabee|first=Brandon|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Savannah State, Armstrong Atlantic not up for consolidation|url=https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20120106/NEWS/301069861|author=Savannah Morning News and The Associated Press|website=Savannah Morning News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=HBCUs Drawing Scrutiny|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/01/30/hbcus-drawing-scrutiny|website=www.insidehighered.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> Almost a decade later, Armstrong State would eventually be merged with Georgia Southern University in nearby Statesboro.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Regents Finalizes Consolidations |url=https://www.usg.edu/news/release/board_of_regents_finalizes_consolidations |publisher=University System of Georgia |access-date=28 August 2025 |date=12 December 2017}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Savannah State University President to Step Down |url=https://www.usg.edu/news/release/savannah_state_university_president_to_step_down |website=University System of Georgia |access-date=May 26, 2020 |date=October 23, 2006 |quote=Savannah State ... is the second institution [in the USG] to provide a wireless network campus-wide}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/HomelandSecurityMajor06.pdf |title=Savannah State to offer Bachelor of Arts degree in homeland security and emergency management |year=2006 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125420/http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/HomelandSecurityMajor06.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> {{clear}} {| class="toccolours collapsible autocollapse" cellspacing="3px" style="width: 24em; float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; text-align:center;" |{{hidden begin|title=Notable campus events|bodyalign=left|titlebackground=#D2B48C|bodybackground=#fffefd|titlestyle=padding-center: 0.5em;}} ;''The General's Daughter'' Portions of the Paramount Pictures movie '''''The General's Daughter''''' were filmed at historic Hill Hall on the campus during the summer of 1997. The film's director Simon West was quoted as saying the campus and Savannah generally "had the most varied and interesting look" to represent the "brooding," "hot and steamy and sticky" "Southern Gothic" impression.<ref name="IRP"/> ;''Trading Spaces'' The TLC show ''Trading Spaces'' filmed an episode ("Savannah: SSU Steppers") on the campus on September 7–9, 2007, as two spaces in the King-Frazier Student Center were transformed by members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. The episode premiered on Nov. 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tlc.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=2.5954.55782.8657.1|title=TV Listing:Trading Spaces|date=2007-11-16|access-date=2007-11-16}}</ref> ;Commissioned II Love Commissioned II Love, an evangelical Christian campus group, with the assistance of The Alliance Defense Fund's Center for Academic Freedom and the National Legal Foundation filed a federal discrimination lawsuit<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/SavannahStateComplaint.pdf |title=COMMISSIONED II LOVE vs. JULIUS S . SCOTT, JR. et al. |access-date=2007-09-26 |archive-date=2007-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129011342/http://www.telladf.org/UserDocs/SavannahStateComplaint.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> against Savannah State University and several university employees on March 1, 2007.<ref name="Sun">{{cite web|title=Evangelical group sues college over foot-washing |work=Biloxi Sun Herald |url=http://www.sunherald.com/160/story/135637.html |date=2007-09-06 |access-date=2007-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913034219/http://www.sunherald.com/160/story/135637.html |archive-date=2007-09-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Post">{{cite web |title=Court Rules in Favor of Christian 'Foot Washing' Group |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/court-rules-in-favor-of-christian-foot-washing-group-29111/ |first=Ethan |last=Cole |date=2007-08-29 |access-date=2018-05-10}}</ref> The student group was recognized as an official organization in 2003 but was later suspended (April 10, 2006) and then expelled on September 11, 2006 after some students complained to university police that its members engaged in activities such as "foot washings" and "baptisms."<ref name="Sun" /><ref name="Post" /> At the time the university categorized such activities as hazing.<ref name="Sun" /> On August 24, 2007, a federal judge denied the school's motion to have the case dismissed.<ref name="Sun" /> The university and the organization reached and agreement allowing the group to re-register as a student organization, with "all rights, benefits and privileges" in February 2008.<ref name="lawsuitend">{{cite web|url=http://new.savannahnow.com/node/455564|title=SSU allows foot-washing religious group back on campus|last=Felty|first=Dana Clark|publisher=Savannah Morning News|work=SavannahNow.com|date=2008-02-29|access-date=2008-03-03}}</ref> The settlement did not include any admission of wrongdoing by the university or any monetary award to Commissioned II Love, but ended the dispute between the two parties.<ref name="lawsuitend" /> {{hidden end}} |}
==Academics== Savannah State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through the following colleges:
*'''College of Business Administration''': in addition to degree programmes, the college also offers an MBA program. The college also offers a teaching certification for business majors in a program with Armstrong State University's College of Teacher Education and partners with Armstrong Atlantic to operate the Coastal Georgia Center for Economic Education, a joint program which conducts workshops for area teachers to help meet student economic standards and teachers from the Economics America Program of the Savannah-Chatham school system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/UG_CATALOG/GENERAL_CATALOG%2005%2007.pdf|title=Savannah State University 2005-2007 Catalog|year=2005|accessdate=2007-04-04|publisher=Savannah State University|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221101353/http://www.savstate.edu/UG_CATALOG/GENERAL_CATALOG%2005%2007.pdf|archivedate=2007-02-21}}</ref> *'''College of Sciences and Technology''': in addition to degree programmes, the college also collaborates with Georgia Tech to offer the Georgia Tech Regional Engineering Program (GREP), the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP) and the Dual degree program.<ref name="catalog"/> *'''College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences''' (CLASS) *College of Education
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 {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}} twin diesel vessel owned by NOAA) and the R/V Tiger (a {{convert|22|ft|m|abbr=on}} outboard work boat).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbl.edu/naml/members/index.php?func=detail&par=NAML_id=45|title=Marine Sciences Program, Savannah State University |year=2006|access-date=2007-04-04|publisher=National Association of Marine Laboratories}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/Environmental%20Regulations.pdf |title=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams with Savannah State to offer new course in environmental regulations |year=2007 |access-date=2007-05-27 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125424/http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/Environmental%20Regulations.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>
Savannah State established an honors program for qualified high-achieving and ambitious undergraduate students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honors at SSU |url=https://www.savannahstate.edu/undergraduate/HonorsatSSU.shtml |website=Savannah State University |access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
===Accreditation=== 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: * Civil engineering technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for 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)) * Mechanical engineering technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) Additionally, the Chemistry department is American Chemical Society (ACS) certified.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/MassCommAccred07.pdf |title=SSU's chemistry department |year=2007 |access-date=2007-06-05 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125428/http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/MassCommAccred07.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>
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,<ref name="catalog"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=2 |title=Schools Accredited in Business |publisher=AACSB International |accessdate=2008-02-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130110908/http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=2 |archivedate=January 30, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://coba.savstate.edu/tiki-index.php?page_ref_id=5|title=Accreditation|year=2006|accessdate=2007-07-04|publisher=Savannah State University|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014627/http://coba.savstate.edu/tiki-index.php?page_ref_id=5|archivedate=2007-09-28}}</ref> and the Mass Communications Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/MassCommAccred07.pdf |title=SSU's mass communications program accredited by ACEJMC |year=2007 |access-date=2007-05-27 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125428/http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/MassCommAccred07.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>
CLASS is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer bachelor's degrees as well as the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning and Master of Social Work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/class/index.htm|title=SSU CLASS Home|year=2005|accessdate=2007-07-04|publisher=Savannah State University}}</ref> The bachelor's degree and Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.<ref name="CSWE">{{cite web|url=http://www.cswe.org/NR/rdonlyres/DFFB2B31-3CA7-41C5-B1A1-DC6C92666716/0/CSWE_2006_Directory_of_Accredited_Programs.pdf|title=Directory of Accredited Social Work Degree Programs|publisher=Council on Social Work Education|accessdate=2008-02-14}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The MPA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naspaa.org/accreditation/document/Official-RosterAccreditedPrograms07-08_asof9.1.07.pdf|title=2007-08 Roster of Accredited Programs|publisher=National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration|accessdate=2008-02-14}}</ref> The Mass Communications Department is accredited by the ACEJMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/news/MassCommAccred07.pdf|title=SSU's mass communications program accredited by ACEJMC|year=2007|accessdate=2007-05-27|publisher=Savannah State University}}</ref>
The Master of Social Work program has been granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/adm/aa/graduate/|title=Graduate Programs at Savannah State University|year=1998|accessdate=2007-07-04|publisher=Savannah State University|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713175136/http://www.savstate.edu/adm/aa/graduate/|archivedate=2007-07-13}}</ref>
==Administration== The '''Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research''' coordinates the university's instructional, research and service programs.<ref name="OGSSR">{{cite web|url=http://www.savstate.edu/orsp/default.htm|title=Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research|year=1998|accessdate=2007-07-02|publisher=Savannah State University|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713225145/http://www.savstate.edu/orsp/default.htm|archivedate=2007-07-13}}</ref>
===Academic oversight=== Oversight is provided by the University System of Georgia, the organizational body that sets goals and dictates general policy to all public educational institutions in the state. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) authorized the university to offer graduate degrees.
=== Funding === Savannah State is a public institution, receiving funds from the State of Georgia, tuition, fees, research grants, private scholarship funds (including the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Tom Joyner Foundation), and alumni contributions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/hbcus/hbculist.cfm |title=Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Member Schools |year=2004 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330223348/http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/hbcus/hbculist.cfm |archive-date=2007-03-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name="USNews">{{cite web|url= http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/savannah-state-1590|title=USNews.com:America's Best Colleges 2014:Savannah State University:At a glance|work=USNews.com|publisher=U.S. News & World Report, L.P|access-date=2015-03-25}}</ref> As of FY05, the university's budget was $42,155,964.<ref name='USG Report Fall 2007'>{{cite web|url=http://www.usg.edu/research/students/enroll/fy2008/fall07.pdf |title=Semester Enrollment Report |access-date=2007-12-23 |date=2007-11-12 |work=Office of Research and Policy Analysis |publisher=University System of Georgia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201202953/http://www.usg.edu/research/students/enroll/fy2008/fall07.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-01 }}</ref> In FY06, the university received $7,725,311 in research, instruction, and public service contracts and grants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usg.edu/research/gen_info/resfund/cg/2006cg.pdf|title=Extramural Funds Received for Research, Instruction, and Public Service - Fiscal Year 2006|work=Research Funding Received - Research Contracts and Grants|publisher=University System of Georgia|access-date=2008-02-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414083844/http://www.usg.edu/research/gen_info/resfund/cg/2006cg.pdf|archive-date=2008-04-14}}</ref> {{clear}}
==Campus==
Savannah State University is located approximately {{convert|5|mi|km|0|sp=us}} east southeast from the center of Savannah, {{convert|250|mi|km|0|sp=us}} from Atlanta, and {{convert|120|mi|km|0|sp=us}} from Jacksonville, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/location.htm |title=Savannah State University Location |year=2003 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125440/http://www.savannahstate.edu/location.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> The campus is accessible from Interstate 95 and Interstate 16.<ref name="IRP"/> Spanish moss drapes the dense live oak trees, while palm trees, magnolias, and a wide variety of azaleas, camellias, and other native plants are scattered throughout the {{convert|201|acre|m2|1|adj=on}} marsh-side campus.
Much of the campus is in the Savannah city limits,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www2.census.gov:443/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st13_ga/place/p1369000_savannah/DC20BLK_P1369000.pdf|title=2020 Census - Census Block Map: Savannah city, GA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|place=Suitland, Maryland|date= April 13, 2021|page=22 (PDF p. 23/41)|access-date=2016-01-25}}</ref> though portions are in unincorporated areas of Chatham County.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st13_ga/county/c13051_chatham/DC20BLK_C13051.pdf|title=2020 Census - Census Block Map: Chatham County, GA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|place=Suitland, Maryland|date= April 13, 2021|page=29 (PDF p. 30/59)|access-date=2016-01-25}}</ref>
===Early years=== The original campus consisted of {{convert|86|acre|m2|0|sp=us}} and three buildings (Boggs Hall, Parsons Hall and a farmhouse), with {{convert|51|acre|m2|0|sp=us}} of the land serving as the school's farm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hist.armstrong.edu/heritage/GeorgiaStateIndustrialCollege.htm|title=Historic Thunderbolt, Georgia|access-date=2007-05-04|publisher=Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of History }}</ref> Several of the campus' older buildings were originally constructed by students and faculty members, and display architectural styles from the past century.<ref name="IRP"/>
===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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gahistmarkers/gamarkersA-E.htm#anchor813579 |title=Georgia Historical Markers |year=2006 |access-date=2007-05-04 |publisher=University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410113226/http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/gahistmarkers/gamarkersA-E.htm#anchor813579 |archive-date=2007-04-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
====Hill Hall==== {{main|Hill Hall at Savannah State College}} 260px|right|thumb|Walter Bernard Hill Hall {{Infobox NRHP | name = Hill Hall at Savannah State College | nrhp_type = | image = | caption = | coordinates = {{coord|32|01|27|N|81|03|23|W|region:US-GA_type:edu|display=inline}} | location = Savannah, Georgia | nearest_city = | built = 1901 | architect = | architecture = Classical Revival | added = 1981 | refnum = 81000197 | mpsub = }}
Walter Bernard Hill Hall, built between 1900 and 1901 by students studying manual arts and blacksmithing, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.<ref name="HillHall">{{cite web|url=http://savannahnow.com/node/526128|title=SSU's Hill Hall to reopen|access-date=2009-09-29|publisher=Savannah Morning News and Evening Press|work=SavannahNow.com|date=2008-07-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202230454/http://savannahnow.com/node/526128|archive-date=2013-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ga/Chatham/state.html |title=National Register of Historic Places |access-date=2007-05-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426001854/http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/GA/Chatham/state.html |archive-date=2007-04-26 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="HillHall" /> It houses the university's Enrollment Management Center, a presidential suite, administrative offices, a lecture hall, a banquet room, and a small museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahtribune.com/news/2008/0813/front_page/001.html|title=Grand Re-Opening Ceremony held for Hill Hall|date=2008-08-13|work=The Savannah Tribune|access-date=2008-09-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913115015/http://www.savannahtribune.com/news/2008/0813/front_page/001.html|archive-date=2012-09-13}}</ref>
===Athletic facilities=== [[File:SSU jet.jpg|right|thumb|CDR Donnie Cochran at the dedication ceremony for the A4 Memorial on the campus of Savannah State University on May 10, 1991.''Photo courtesy of Savannah State University, NROTC.'']]
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.diaafootball.com/team000043.html|title=DIAAFOOTBALL.COM Savannah State|year=2006|access-date=2007-04-04|publisher=Bisonville.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321110900/http://www.diaafootball.com/team000043.html|archive-date=2008-03-21}}</ref>
===Recent additions === On October 15, 2007, Savannah State broke ground on a new academic building which was dedicated on May 1, 2009.<ref name="groundbreak">{{cite web|title=SSU Breaks Ground on New Academic Building|url=http://wtoctv.com/global/story.asp?s=7214158&ClientType=Printable|access-date=2007-11-30|date=2007-10-15|publisher=WTOC TV}}</ref><ref name="newbuilding">{{cite web|url=http://www.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/savannah_state_university_celebrates_new_building/11884/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807055622/http://www.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/savannah_state_university_celebrates_new_building/11884/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-08-07|title=Savannah State University Celebrates New Building|access-date=2009-05-05|date=2009-05-01}}</ref> It includes 10 classrooms, three lecture rooms, three computer labs, and applied research and observation labs.<ref name="newbuilding" /><ref name="new building">{{cite web|title=Academic Building|url=http://media.www.tigersroar.com/media/storage/paper947/news/2007/11/29/News/Academic.Building-3117424.shtml|access-date=2007-11-30|date=2007-11-29}}</ref> The building also houses the Africana studies exhibit, the Dean of Humanities and faculty offices, Public Administration/Urban Studies, and the Social Work and Social and Behavioral Sciences departments.<ref name="new building" />
==Student life== {| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;" |+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Savannah State University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?140960-Savannah-State-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=United States Department of Education |access-date=September 13, 2025}}</ref> |- ! Race and ethnicity ! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total |- | Black |align=right| {{bartable|89|%|2||background:purple}} |- | Hispanic |align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:green}} |- | Two or more races |align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:violet}} |- | White |align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:cyan}} |- | International student |align=right| {{bartable|2|%|2||background:#008080}} |- | Unknown |align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} |- ! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Economic diversity |- | Low-income{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.}} |align=right| {{bartable|34|%|2||background:red}} |- | Affluent{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.}} |align=right| {{bartable|60|%|2||background:black}} |} The student body consists of approximately 3,800 graduate and undergraduate students, and 385 full-time instructional faculty.<ref name="enrollment">{{cite web|url=http://www.usg.edu/research/documents/enrollment_reports/SER_Spring_2014_Final.pdf|title=Semester Enrollment Report Spring 2014|date=7 April 2014|access-date=19 July 2014|publisher=University System of Georgia Board of Regents|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053947/http://www.usg.edu/research/documents/enrollment_reports/SER_Spring_2014_Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The university offers organized and informal co-curricular activities, including 75 student organizations, leadership workshops, 15 intramural activities, student publications and student internships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/cl.htm |title=Savannah State University Campus Life |year=2002 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109092156/http://www.savannahstate.edu/cl.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2009 }}</ref>
===Wesleyan Gospel Choir === The SSU Wesleyan Gospel Choir was established in 1971.<ref name="NBCAHF">{{cite web|title=SSU students compete, earn titles during National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend |url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/NBCAHFawards06.pdf |date=2006-10-01 |access-date=2007-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125513/http://www.savannahstate.edu/news/NBCAHFawards06.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> In 2004 the choir completed and released a live album, entitled ''RLW: "Revelation, Love, & Worship"''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wesleyan Gospel Choir launches CD project|url=http://media.www.tigersroar.com/media/storage/paper947/news/2004/09/27/CampusVoices/Wesleyan.Gospel.Choir.Launches.Cd.Project-2664753.shtml|date=2004-09-27|access-date=2007-11-16}}</ref> 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.<ref name="NBCAHF" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=THE ACADEMIC CONNECTION: Black Heritage Festival |url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/adm/aa/news/ac/SP02.pdf |access-date=2007-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125622/http://www.savannahstate.edu/adm/aa/news/ac/SP02.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>
===Powerhouse Of The South=== thumb|right|Savannah State University's Marching Band during the 2008 Homecoming celebration
The university band, nicknamed the "Powerhouse of the South", performs during Savannah State football games. They were featured performers in the Honda Battle of the Bands in 2004, 2005, & 2023.
===National fraternities and sororities=== All nine of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations currently have chapters at Savannah State University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/stuact/greeks/index.html|title=SSU Greek Organizations|year=1998|access-date=2007-04-04|publisher=Savannah State University}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Willie|last=Hall|title= SSU welcomes Iota Phi Theta to the yard|url= http://media.www.tigersroar.com/media/storage/paper947/news/2007/02/02/News/Ssu-Welcomes.Iota.Phi.Theta.To.The.Yard-2665113.shtml|publisher=Tiger's Roar |date=2007-02-02|access-date=2007-04-04}}</ref> In addition to the NPHC, there are several other national fraternities and sororities registered on campus.
===Student media===
====''The Tiger's Roar''==== ''The Tiger's Roar'' is the official student-produced newspaper of Savannah State University and provides both a print and online version.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.tigersroar.com/home/generalinformation/ |title=General Information |year=2007 |access-date=2007-06-05 |publisher=The Tiger's Roar |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070929103130/http://www.tigersroar.com/home/generalinformation/ |archive-date=2007-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
====WHCJ radio station==== {{main|WHCJ}} SSU operates WHCJ (FM) radio, which broadcasts 24 hours a day from the campus, covers all of Chatham County, and can also be heard in Effingham, Bryan, Beaufort, and Liberty counties.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.savannahstate.edu/whcj/whcj.htm |title=Savannah State University WHCJ 90.3 FM|year=2000|access-date=2007-04-04|publisher=Savannah State University}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/whcj/history.htm|title=Savannah State University WHCJ 90.3 FM History and Background|year=2000|access-date=2007-04-04|publisher=Savannah State University}}</ref> {{clear}}
=== Athletics === {| style="float:right; margin:0.5em 0em 0.5em 0.5em; width:16em; border:1px solid #a0a0a0; text-align:center; line-height:12px; font-size:x-small;" |- align="center" style="line-height:16px; font-size:small;" | '''SSU Athletics''' |- | valign="top" | {| width="100%" align="center" | width="50%" valign="top" | {| align="center" |- | '''Men's''' |- | Baseball |- | Basketball |- | Cross county |- | Football |- | Golf |- | Track & field |} | width="50%" | {| align="center" |- | '''Women's''' |- | Basketball |- | Cross county |- | Golf |- | Softball |- | Tennis |- | Track & field |- | Volleyball |} |} |} {{main|Savannah State Tigers}} [[File:Lee Moore (13767607435) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A Savannah State Tigers baseball player swings at a pitch during a 2014 game at Russ Chandler Stadium]] The Savannah State Tigers represent the university in college intercollegiate 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.midmajority.com/school.php?s=SAVST |title=The Mid-majority Report: Savannah State |access-date=2007-06-05 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517091153/http://www.midmajority.com/school.php?s=SAVST |archive-date=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
Savannah State University holds membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) 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).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahstate.edu/athletics/index.htm |title=Savannah State University Athletics |year=2007 |access-date=2007-04-04 |publisher=Savannah State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309125649/http://www.savannahstate.edu/athletics/index.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> In April 2017 Savannah State University President Cheryl Dozier announced the school intends to reclassify all athletic programs to Division II<ref>{{cite web|url=http://savannahnow.com/local-colleges/news/sports/2017-04-17/savannah-state-plans-move-athletics-down-division-ii|title=Savannah State plans to move athletics down to Division II|first=Donald|last=Heath|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> The move back to Division II is expected to occur for the 2019-20 academic year. The Georgia school would end its membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which it joined in 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/savannah-state-announces-plan-for-division-ii-return-041817|title=Savannah State announces plan for Division II return|date=18 April 2017|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1969957 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050315020037/http://sports-att.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=1969957 |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 15, 2005 |title=Tigers finish season 0-28|work=ESPN.com|date=2005-05-28| access-date=2005-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Winless Savannah State Gets New Coach, Horace Broadnax takes over team coming off 0-28 season |url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040805aas.html |access-date=June 2, 2020 |work=CBS College Sports |date=April 8, 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723064237/http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040805aas.html |archive-date=2012-07-23 |url-status=unfit}}</ref><!-- original url marked unfit due to redirect to cbssports.com home page -->{{cbignore|bot=InternetArchiveBot}} The team's final game (a 49–44 loss to Florida A&M) was covered by several national sports organizations including ESPN.
===SSU Cheer=== Savannah State University's competitive cheerleading team became the first team from a HBCU to win a national cheerleading title in February 2017. The 13-member team won a CheerSport National title for their top score routine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/savannah-state-first-hbcu-cheerleading-award_us_58ac5620e4b07028b70411fe|title=Savannah State Becomes First HBCU To Win National Cheerleading Award|first=Taryn|last=Finley|date=21 February 2017|access-date=20 April 2018|via=Huff Post}}</ref>
==See also== {| class="toccolours collapsible autocollapse" cellspacing="3px" style="width: 24em; float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; text-align:center;" |{{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 {{hidden end}} |} * List of Savannah State University alumni * List of Savannah State University faculty ** President of Savannah State University
==Notes== {{noteslist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book|title=Richard R. Wright Sr. at GSIC, 1891–1921: A Protean Force for the Social Uplift and Higher Education of Black Americans|last=Elmore|first=Charles J.|year=1996|publisher=privately printed|location=Savannah, Ga.}} * {{cite book|title=Tell Them We are Rising: The History of Savannah State University|last=Elmore|first=Charles J.|year=2015}} * {{cite book|title=Savannah, Georgia|last=Elmore |first=Charles|year=2002|publisher=Arcadia Pub|location=Charleston, SC}} * {{cite book|title=Big Auntie's Pearls: A Choreo Novel, Savannah State University “The College by the Sea” is featured in Opus No: 4 "Cantata for a New Day"|last=Gregory|first=Hope|year=2021}} * {{cite book|title=One Hundred Years of Educating at Savannah State College, 1890-1990|last=Hall|first=Clyde W.|year=1991|publisher=Versa Press|location=East Peoria, Ill.}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} * [https://ssuathletics.com/ Athletics website]
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