Savannah State University is the oldest public college located in the oldest city in Georgia. Originally designated as Georgia’s Black land-grant college, the land-grant has since been transferred to Fort Valley State University, Savannah State University still conducts basic and applied research to improve the lives of Georgia’s underserved population.

Savannah State was established in 1890 with a handful of students. SSU now enrolls 4,800 students in 27 majors each year, housing many of the students on campus.  Student organizations including the National Pan-Hellenic Council, music/band fraternities, and the student government association make life on campus active and unforgettable.

Student life is centered around the Yard. The SSU Yard, a circle-shaped courtyard lined by admissions, student union, administration, and academic buildings, hosts the student organization plots and a mobile stage for performances and showcases.  A brightly decorated statue of a tiger, the SSU mascot, stands as the centerpiece of the Yard, a testament to the students’ school pride.

As the University by the sea, SSU specializes in oceanic and marine research.  To highlight the school’s prowess in developing marine scientists, SSU provides a lists of its accomplishments on its website:

• 19% of Bachelor’s degree graduates entered Master’s or Doctoral degrees
• 30% of Master’s degree graduates entered Doctoral programs
• 33% of Master’s degrees in marine/ocean sciences earned by African Americans in the U.S. from 2004-2007 were earned at SSU
• 10% of African American Master’s and Doctoral students in marine/ocean sciences in 2007 were either enrolled in the Master’s program at SSU or were former SSU students enrolled in Doctoral programs elsewhere
• 20% of masters graduates went on to Ph.D programs in past three years. (NSF/NIH survey spring 2011)
• 47% of masters graduates found jobs in research-oriented careers in past three years. (NSF/NIH survey spring 2011)

Directly behind the dining hall lies a marsh leading to the Atlantic Ocean.

With reputable academic programs, engaging campus life, and the excellent setting on the eastern coast of Georgia, it is easy to see how Savannah State University is Rising.

The following images present more of the memorable sites and scenes from my tour of the campus.

Wright Hall and the Savannah State University water tower

Gym equipment renovations taking place in the Savannah State University workout facility: the Body Shop.

Savannah State University weight room

The Asa H. Gordon Library

Savannah State University Gordon Library Lobby

Gordon Library study areas