Savannah State University
File:SSUlogo.png Savannah State University Seal | |
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Former names | Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth, Georgia State College, Savannah State College |
---|---|
Motto | (Latin: Light and Truth) |
Type | Public, HBCU[1] |
Established | November 26, 1890[2][3] |
Endowment | $2,433,508[4] |
President | Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.[5] |
Students | 3,453[6] |
Undergraduates | 3275[6] |
Postgraduates | 116[6] |
Address | 3219 College St. , , , Savannah, GA 31404 32°1′20.76″N 81°3′18.44″W / 32.0224333°N 81.0551222°W |
Campus | 175-acre (708,199.9 m2), coastal setting[7] |
Athletic Director | W. Bart Bellairs |
Colors | Burnt Orange and Reflex Blue |
Nickname | Tigers or Lady Tigers |
Affiliations | Independent |
Website | www.savannahstate.edu |
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university (HBCU) located in Savannah, Georgia.[1] Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia.[8] 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."[9]
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).[9] 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.[9][10] Savannah State was ranked fourth tier in the U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges 2008 (Universities–Master's (South) category).[4]
Demographics
The student body consists of 3,453 graduate and undergraduate students, and 385 full-time instructional faculty.[6]
Administration
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 Georgia.
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.[11] 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[4] As of FY05, the university's budget was $42,155,964.[12] In FY06, the university received $7,725,311 in Research, Instruction, and Public Service Contracts and Grants.[13]
History
File:SSU logo.jpg SSU logo (1996-2008) | |
1890 | Established as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth [14] |
1891 | Relocated from Athens, Georgia to Savannah, Georgia [15] |
1921 | First female students admitted as campus residents.[3][16] |
1928 | College became a full four-year degree-granting institution as high school and normal programs removed.[3][16] |
1932 | Renamed to Georgia State College [3][16] |
1947 | Land-grant designation transferred to Fort Valley State College).[3] |
1950 | Renamed to Savannah State College [3] |
1996 | Renamed to Savannah State University [9] |
Establishment
Savannah State University was originally founded as a result of the Second Morrill Land Grant Act of August 30, 1890.[9] The act mandated that southern and border states develop Black land grant colleges. On November 26, 1890 the Georgia General Assembly passed enabling legislation creating the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth.[14]
A preliminary session of the school was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, Georgia where Richard R. Wright Sr. was principal.[16] 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.[15] 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, Georgia.[16]
Early years
The first baccalaureate degree was awarded in 1898.[3] In 1921 the first female students were admitted as residents on the campus.[3][16] In 1928 the college became a full four-year degree-granting institution and removed the 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. 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 of 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 curriculum or were left behind.[3][16]
In 1932 the college became a full member institution of the University System of Georgia and its name was changed to Georgia State College.[3][16] 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).[3] In January 1950 the college changed its name to Savannah State College.[3]
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.[9]
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.[8][17]
Notable campus events
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.[7]
The TLC show Trading Spaces filmed an episode (entitled: 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.[18]
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 against Savannah State University and several university employees on March 1, 2007.[19][20] 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."[19][20] At the time the university categorized such activities as hazing.[19] On August 24, 2007, a federal judge denied the school’s motion to have the case dismissed.[19]. 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.[21] 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. [21] |
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 twin diesel vessel owned by NOAA) and the R/V Tiger (a 22-ft outboard work boat).[22] 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.[23]
Savannah State University's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Office of Student Affairs administer 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, and administered by McFarland and Associates of Washington, D.C.[24]
Specialized accreditations
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)), and
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Additionally, the Chemistry department is American Chemical Society (ACS) certified.[25]
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[9] and the Mass Communications Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).[26]
Campus
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.[27] The campus is accessible from Interstate 95 and Interstate 16.[7] 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 175-acre (708,199.9 m2) marsh-side campus at 32°1′20.76″N 81°3′18.44″W / 32.0224333°N 81.0551222°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (32.0224339, -81.0551121)Template:GR [28]
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.[29] Several of the campus' older buildings were originally constructed by students and faculty members, and display architectural styles from the past century.[7]
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.[30]
Hill Hall
Hill Hall at Savannah State College | |
File:Hill Hall.jpg Walter Bernard Hill Hall on the campus of Savannah State University. | |
Location | Savannah, Georgia |
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Built | 1901 |
Architect | Unknown |
Architectural style | Classical Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 81000197 |
Added to NRHP | 1981 |
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.[31][32] The facility had a variety of uses since its initial construction including a bookstore, student center, male dormitory, and library. When the building fell into disrepair the building was closed in 1996. For nearly 20 years campus officials and community groups worked to raise money for restoration through the Hill Hall Restoration Project and the building was reopened in 2008.[31] Today, it houses the university's Enrollment Management Center, a presidential suite, administrative offices, a lecture hall, a banquet room, and a mini museum.[33]
Athletic facilities
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.[34]
Recent additions
On October 15, 2007 Savannah State broke ground on a new academic building which was dedicated on May 1, 2009. [35][36] 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. [36][37] 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. [37]
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.[38]
Wesleyan Gospel Choir
The SSU Wesleyan Gospel Choir was established in 1971.[39] In 2004 the choir completed and released a live album, entitled RLW: "Revelation, Love, & Worship".[40] 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 The Word Network.[39] In 2007 the choir performed at the Dr. Bobby Jones International Gospel Music Industry Retreat which was also broadcast on the The Word Network. The choir performed with Ann Nesby during the 13th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival.[41]
Marching Tiger band
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.
National fraternities and sororities
All nine of the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations currently have chapters at Savannah State University.[42][43] These organizations are:
Organization | Symbol | Chapter | Chapter Symbol |
---|---|---|---|
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. | ΑΚA | Gamma Upsilon | ΓΥ |
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. | ΑΦΑ | Delta Eta | ΔΗ |
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. | ΔΣΘ | Delta Nu | ΔΝ |
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. | IΦΘ | Eta Gamma Chapter [44] | |
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. | ΚΑΨ | Gamma Chi | ΓΧ |
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. | ΩΨΦ | Alpha Gamma | ΑΓ |
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. | ΦΒΣ | Gamma Zeta | ΓΖ |
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. | ΣΓΡ | Alpha Iota | ΑΙ |
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. | ΖΦΒ | Rho Beta | ΡΒ |
Other National fraternities and sororities with registered chapters currently on campus include:
Organization | Symbol | Chapter | Chapter Symbol |
---|---|---|---|
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity | ΔΣΠ | Kappa Chi | ΚΧ |
Iota Phi Lambda Business Sorority | ΙΦΛ | ||
Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity | ΦΒΛ | ||
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity | ΦΑΔ | ||
Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity | KKΨ | Lambda Upsilon | ΛΥ |
Delta Phi Omega Band Fraternity | ΔΦΩ |
Additionally, Alpha Phi Omega (ΑΦΩ) National Fraternity, at one point, had a registered chapter at Savannah State.
Student media
Tiger's Roar
The Tiger's Roar is the official student-produced newspaper of Savannah State University and provides both a print and on-line version.[45]
WHCJ (College Radio Station)
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.[46]
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.[47]
Athletics
SSU Athletics | |||||||||||||||||
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Intercollegate athletics at Savannah State University are administered by the Savannah State University Athletic Department. The department dedicates about $2 million per year for its sports teams and facilities.[48]
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).[49]
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.[50][51] The team’s final game (a 49–44 loss to Florida A&M) was covered by several national sports organizations including ESPN.
Additional athletics information For additional information on Savannah State University athletics you may also want to view articles in the following categories:
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See also
Additional faculty information For additional information on notable Savannah State University faculty and staff members you may also want to view articles in the following categories:
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Suggested readings
- Elmore, Charles J. (1996). Richard R. Wright, Sr., at GSIC, 1891-1921: A Protean Force for the Social Uplift and Higher Education of Black Americans. Savannah, Ga.: privately printed.
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(help) - Elmore, Charles (2002). Savannah, Georgia. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub.
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(help) - Hall, Clyde W. (1991). One Hundred Years of Educating at Savannah State College, 1890-1990. East Peoria, Ill: Versa Press.
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(help)
References
- ^ a b "List of HBCUs -- White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities". 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ Savannah State University from the New Georgia Encyclopedia Online (2005-09-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Savannah State University". Retrieved 2007-08-27.
- ^ a b c "USNews.com:America's Best Colleges 2008:Savannah State University:At a glance". USNews.com. U.S.News & World Report, L.P. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ "Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D President Savannah State University" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-08-27.
- ^ a b c d "Semester Enrollment Report" (PDF). Office of Research and Policy Analysis. University System of Georgia. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ a b c d "Savannah General Information". Savannah State University Office of Institutional Research & Planning. 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
- ^ a b "Savannah State University Admission: About Us". Savannah State University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Savannah State University 2005-2007 Catalog" (PDF). Savannah State University. 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Board of Regents of the [[University System of Georgia]]". Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
{{cite web}}
: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ "Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Member Schools". Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. 2004. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Semester Enrollment Report" (PDF). Office of Research and Policy Analysis. University System of Georgia. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
- ^ "Extramural Funds Received for Research, Instruction, and Public Service - Fiscal Year 2006" (PDF). Research Funding Received - Research Contracts and Grants. University System of Georgia. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ a b "SSU - Where Savannah Meets the Sea..." Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b Savannah State University was founded in 1890, retrieved 2007-08-27
- ^ a b c d e f g h "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Savannah State University". Retrieved 2007-08-30.
- ^ "Savannah State to offer Bachelor of Arts degree in homeland security and emergency management" (PDF). Savannah State University. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "TV Listing:Trading Spaces". 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ a b c d "Evangelical group sues college over foot-washing". Biloxi Sun Herald. 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
- ^ a b "Court Rules in Favor of Christian 'Foot Washing' Group". 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
- ^ a b Felty, Dana Clark (2008-02-29). "SSU allows foot-washing religious group back on campus". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
- ^ "Marine Sciences Program, Savannah State University". National Association of Marine Laboratories. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams with Savannah State to offer new course in environmental regulations" (PDF). Savannah State University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ "SSU receives $65,000 grant for HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse prevention education program". 2006-01-16. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ "SSU's chemistry department" (PDF). Savannah State University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- ^ "SSU's mass communications program accredited by ACEJMC" (PDF). Savannah State University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ "Savannah State University Location". Savannah State University. 2003. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Geographic Names Information System Feature Detail Report". U.S. Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey). Retrieved 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Historic Thunderbolt, Georgia". Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of History. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
- ^ "Georgia Historical Markers". University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
- ^ a b "SSU's Hill Hall to reopen". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places". Retrieved 2007-05-04.
- ^ "Grand Re-Opening Ceremony held for Hill Hall". The Savannah Tribune. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "DIAAFOOTBALL.COM Savannah State". Bisonville.com. 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "SSU Breaks Ground on New Academic Building". WTOC TV. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ a b "Savannah State University Celebrates New Building". 2009-05-01. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- ^ a b "Academic Building". 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
- ^ "Savannah State University Campus Life". Savannah State University. 2002. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b "SSU students compete, earn titles during National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend" (PDF). 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ "Wesleyan Gospel Choir launches CD project". 2004-09-27. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ "THE ACADEMIC CONNECTION: Black Heritage Festival" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ^ "SSU Greek Organizations". Savannah State University. 1998. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ Hall, Willie (2007-02-02). "SSU welcomes Iota Phi Theta to the yard". Tiger's Roar. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Chapter Locator". Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ "General Information". The Tiger's Roar. 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- ^ "Savannah State University WHCJ 90.3 FM". Savannah State University. 2000. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Savannah State University WHCJ 90.3 FM History and Background". Savannah State University. 2000. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ ""The Mid-majority Report: Savannah State". Retrieved 2007-06-05.
- ^ "Savannah State University Athletics". Savannah State University. 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ "Tigers finish season 0-28". ESPN.com. 2005-05-28. Retrieved 2005-02-15.
- ^ "Winless Savannah State Gets New Coach". CSTV.com. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
External links
- www.savannahstate.edu -- Official web site
- library.savannahstate.edu -- Asa H. Gordon Library
- www.usg.edu/inst/ssu/ -- University System of Georgia site
- Savannah State University at New Georgia Encyclopedia
- www.tigersroar.com -- Tiger's Roar (Student Newspaper)
- Savannah State alumni web site at alumniconnections.com
- African American history
- Historically black universities and colleges in the United States
- Universities and colleges in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Educational institutions established in 1890
- American Association of State Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- National Register of Historic Places in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Savannah State University