Savannah State University Commemorates 135th Founders Day – Savannah Herald

Savannah State University (SSU) celebrated its enduring legacy and resilience today with a ceremony marking its 135th Founders Day. The event, held in Tiger Arena on the SSU campus, drew a large gathering of community leaders, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to commemorate SSU’s history as Georgia’s oldest public HBCU.

The ceremony featured keynote speaker Dr. Tomikia LeGrande, a distinguished 2001 SSU alumna and the ninth President of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU).

Dr. LeGrande, who made history in 2023 as the second woman to lead PVAMU, is a nationally recognized leader dedicated to advancing student access, success, and innovation. Her distinguished career includes pivotal roles at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Houston–Downtown, and Winston-Salem State University.

In recognition of her exceptional achievements and service, Dr. LeGrande was presented with the Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence, the university’s highest honor. Established in 1972, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service in the social, educational, and civic arenas. It is named in honor of SSU’s first president and transformative figure, Richard R. Wright, Sr.

“This university created space for me,” said Dr. LeGrande. “Savannah State University planted the seeds that made it possible for this low-income, first generation college student from Savannah, Georgia to not only graduate with a degree in chemistry, but to now serve as the 9th president of Prairie View A&M University.

The program also included the presentation of the Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award, which honors graduates for outstanding achievement, leadership, and dedication to the university.

This year’s award was bestowed upon Alfred D. McGuire, Jr., a proud 2003 alumnus and native of Lithonia, Ga. Mr. McGuire graduated with a degree in history and was awarded the prestigious President’s Second Mile Award, the top honor for a graduating senior. While at SSU, Mr. McGuire founded Achievers of Today and Tomorrow, Inc., an organization dedicated to developing professional, academic, and social lives, which remains an integral part of the SSU community 26 years later.

Mr. McGuire went on to earn a master’s degree from Georgia Southern University and an educational specialist degree from Mercer University. He began his professional career at SSU and now serves as a transformational educational leader. In 2025, he was named Principal of the Year by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools for his decade-plus of leadership at Woodville-Tompkins High School.

In a unique showing of commitment, the ceremony was attended by three of SSU’s five living past permanent presidents: the 10th president, Dr. John T. Wolfe; the 13th president, Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier; and the 14th president, Kimberly Ballard-Washington, J.D.

“Founders Day is a time to celebrate the legacy, resilience, and enduring impact of Savannah State University,” said SSU President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “For 135 years, SSU has shaped leaders who go on to transform communities and industries. The alumni who we honored today exemplify the very best of what it means to be a Tiger—bold, visionary, and committed to creating opportunities for others.”

Founded on November 26, 1890, as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, Savannah State University is Georgia’s oldest public historically Black college or university (HBCU) and Savannah’s oldest institution of higher learning. Since its founding, SSU has remained committed to academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement.