One Hundred Seventy Eighth Commencement May 7, 2011 Savannah State University

2011·1.4 MB·English

by  Savannah State University

Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia
</>n
Hnx Uerttas
et
dMe
we
^04nm^w€wn&n£
Saturday, the Seventh ofMay
Two Thousand and Eleven
Ten O' Clock in the Morning
Tiger Arena
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://www.archive.org/details/onehundredsevent11sava
mm
wm
u
]
avannah State University
Mission Statement
Savannah State University, the oldest public historically black university in the State of
Georgia, develops productive members of a global society through high quality
instruction, scholarship, research, service, and community involvement. The
University fosters engaged learning and personal growth in a student-centered
environment that celebrates the African-American legacy while nurturing a diverse
student body. Savannah State University offers graduate and undergraduate studies
including nationally accredited programs in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the
professions.
Jn3rn^}£}2 noiaaiM
nMo
^o 3J£i2 3fh ni ^}i2i3vinn Aosid \ihohonid oildnq arfo ^tiziavinU 3i£}2 ri£nn£V£2
Y^ilfiup rigid rlguoifb yiaiDoz kdolg £ Ito ziadmam svbonbcnq zqobvab £igt03D
t
3rfT jnafTiavlovni ^innmrnoo bn£ 3Divi32 rtoi£323i .qirkifilorbz noiiDin:i2ni
t c t
baisJnao-JnabuJz £ ni rilwoig knoziaq bn£ §nim£3l b3g£§n3 213120} yii2i3vinU
32i3vib £ gnhnnnn alirlw ^D£§al n£oh3mA-n£3iilA aril 23i£id3b:> i£rb mamnoiivna
zaibuiz 33£ub£i§i3bnu bfi£ 3J£ub£i§ zidBo ^ii2i3vinU 3J£i2 rl£nn£V£2 .\bod insbun
aril bn£ 23on3i32 aril <2ii£ kiadil 3fb ni 2m£i§oiq baiibaioofi yllfinobfin gnibnbni
t
.znoizzaloiq
>
l<"
*•,-Q'. ';!*'•
t ,-.'
History of Savannah State University
On November 26, 1890, enabling legislation was passed by the Georgia General Assembly to establish
a school for the education and training of colored students, which was to operate as a part of the
University of Georgia. One hundred and twenty-one years later, the college has become Savannah
State University, the oldest public historically black university in Georgia.
A
preliminary session of the new college was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens,
Georgia, with Richard Robert Wright, Sr., as principal. On October 7, 1891, the new college, named
the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, moved to its present location inThunderbolt,
Georgia. Wright was president and there were five faculty members: Loring B. Palmer, A.B.; Frank
Cobb, A.B.; Alexander Ashton; Reverend Leigh B. Maxwell, A.B.; ReverendJames M. Simms, proctor
and steward; and Decatur Suggs, vice-president.
The university awarded its first baccalaureate degree to Richard R. Wright, Jr., in 1898. He went on
to become the first black man to receive a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania
(1911), and later to become the president ofhistoric Wilberforce University. During Wright's tenure as
president (1890-1921), President William McKinley (1898) and PreWsident William Howard Taft (1912)
visited the campus and spoke to students and faculty in the Peter Meldrim Hall.
Cyrus Gilbert Wiley, class of 1899, and the first alumnus to become president of the university (1921-
1926), followed Wright. Benjamin F. Hubert, who came to Georgia State College from Tuskegee
Institute, served as president from 1926-1947. It was during his tenure that the college became a full-
time degree granting institution, without high school and normal programs, and became a member
of the University System of Georgia (1932). The name of the college was changed to Georgia State
College in 1932. In 1950, the name ofthe college was changed to Savannah State College and in 1996,
the name was changed to Savannah State University.
The Significance Of The Academic Mace
Observing the centuries-old convocation procedures, each Marshal in the SavannahState University
AcademicProcessioncarriesanofficialmace,whichisindicativeofthepower,dignity,andmagisterium
vested in the University. The mace is a club-shaped staff that originated in the Middle Ages as
a weapon. Eventually, it gained a ceremonial character and is presently employed most often by
legislative forums and academic enterprises.
The official mace and stand ofSavannah State University were designed and made from mahogany
wood by Dr. Ernest S. Brown, Associate Professor Emeritus ofCivil Engineering Technology.
Savannah State University Motto
The University motto is "Lux Et Veritas" (Light and Truth).
2-
Academic Regalia
Modern academic dress has evolved from a type ofapparel prescribed by English Medieval Universities
to distinguish their schools from the lay person in dress at a time when everybody wore robes or gowns.
When American colleges and universities desired to adopt some suitable system ofacademic apparel a
halfcentury ago, it seemed best to agree on some definite system which all might follow. Accordingly,
this attire has consisted ofthe cap, the gown, and the hood, the latter two now differing according to
the degree the wearer has received.
The modern cap, in academic dress, has the same design for all degrees: black and square-shaped with
a tassel hanging from the center. However, the colorofthe tassel usually differentiates the field ofstudy
for which the degree was granted, the gold tassel being worn by doctors or by presidents ofcolleges and
universities; but it may be added that the black tassel is correct for all degrees.
The gown, unlike the cap, differs appreciably in design according to the degree conferred on the wearer.
The gown for the bachelor's degree has pointed sleeves. It is designed to be worn closed. The gown for
the master's degrees, worn open or closed, has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, like the others. The
sleeve base hangs down in the traditional manner. The rear part of its oblong shape is square cut, and
the front part has an arc cut away. The doctor's gown, worn open or closed, has long sleeves faced with
velvet; three bars ofvelvet are midway the sleeves. The trimmings ofthe doctor's gown may be black or
the color associated with the field ofstudy.
The hood, while not an article ofdress, is however, the most distinctive feature ofthe academic attire.
It is ablack, crow-shaped badge oradornment with anoval opening and worndown the back. It enables
one to quickly determine not only the degree held by the wearer but also the college or university
from which he is graduated. The colors lining the hood and the size and the shape ofthe hood make
this distinction. The bachelor's and master's hoods are three feet and three and a halffeet in length,
respectively; the doctor's hood is fourfeet in length and is made with a wide panel. Hoods may be worn
for only those degrees actually held by the wearers.
Members of the governing body of a college or university, and they only, whatever their degrees may
be, are entitled to wear doctor's gowns (with black velvet), but their hoods may be only those ofdegrees
actually held by the wearers or those especially prescribed for them by the institution.
In some colleges and universities, it is customary for the president, chancellor, or chiefofficer to wear a
costume similar to that worn by the head ofa foreign university.
The chiefmarshal may wear a specially designed costume approved by the institution. For all academic
purposes, includingtrimmingsofdoctor'sgowns, edgingofhoods, andtasselsofcaps, thecolorassociated
with different subjects as prescribed by the revised American Intercollegiate Code is as follows:
Arts, Letters, Humanities White Oratory (Speech) Silver Gray
Business Drab Philosophy Dark Blue
Economics Copper Physical Education Sage Green
Education Light Blue Public Administration Peacock Blue
Law Purple Science Golden Yellow
Library Science Lemon Social Work Citron
Music Pink Theology Scarlet
At Savannah State University, the lining ofthe hood has an orange chevron on a blue background to
represent school colors. A faculty member wears the color ofhis alma mater.
-3-
Commencement Speaker
USN
Rear Admiral Nevin Carr,
P> Jr.,
Chief of Naval Research
Director, Test and Evaluation
and Technology Requirements
Rear Admiral Carr has spent his Navy career at
sea in cruisers and destroyers, operating in the
Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean,
ArabianGulf, North andSouthAtlantic, South
Pacific, Baltic, Caribbean, Arctic and Red Seas.
Shipboard tours included USS King (DDG
41); USS McCandless (FF 1084); USS Thomas
S. Gates (CG 51); USS Vella Gulf (CG 72);
Cruiser/Destroyer Group 8 staff embarked in
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); and the
2nd Fleet staff embarked in USS Mt. Whitney
(LCC 20). He commanded USS Arleigh Burke
(DDG 51) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71),
winning Battle Efficiency Awards and Golden
Anchors in both tours. While in command
of Cape St. George, the ship participated in
combat operations insupport ofOperation Iraqi
Freedom in both the European and Central
Command
theaters.
Ashore, Carr has served in the Office ofthe Secretary ofDefense where he worked on the Arleigh
Burke, Ticonderoga and Seawolf programs, and several Ballistic Missile Defense programs. He
later served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as requirements officer for the Aegis
Cruiser and Destroyer programs, and was executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Fleet Forces
Command. Following promotion to flag rank in 2006, he was assigned as the deputy director of
Surface Warfare for Combat Systems and Weapons, and later as deputy assistant secretary of the
Navy (International Programs) and director, Navy International Program Office.
Carr graduated in 1979 from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Naval
Architecture. He earned a Master ofScience in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate
School and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. In
December 2008, he became the 22nd Chief ofNaval Research, with additional duties as director,
Test and Evaluation and Technology Requirements.
-4-
. , ,,
Order of Procession
The Chief Marshal
The Class Marshals
Candidates for Masters' Degrees
Candidates for Baccalaureate Degrees
Faculty Emeriti
The Faculty
The Presidential Party
The academic regalia, the academic processional, and the ceremonial program are part of
an ancient tradition oflearning. This tradition is a unified, solemn occasion at which only
applause is appropriate.
The audience is asked to refrainfrom any otherform ofexpression and to reserve
celebrations until the program is concluded.
Savannah State University Hymn
Original words and music by Randolph Fisher and Hillary Hatchett
J.
Lyrical Revision hy Ms. LaGina M. Frazier
Refrain
Let us give thanks andpraises to Where Savannah meets the sea,
Our Alma Mater, S.S.LJ. Where grassy plains andpalms abound,
Thine honor, pride, and eminence Where the Flow'rs are gems ofloveliness
We
raise in prayerful reverence There S.S.Li, isfound.
Guide us stillfrom day to day, We adore each beauteous scene and hall
Be Thou mindful lest we lose our way; Our all we pledge to Thee!
Help us know that life, short or long, In our hearts we 11 build a shrinefor You
Means unceasingworkfor weak and strong. We hail Thee, S.S.U.!
-5
Order of Ceremony
Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D., President
Presiding
Prelude "Largo"
Handel
Professor Nan Poole Spicer, Organist
*Academic Procession "War March ofthe Priests"
Felix Mendelssohn
Professor Nan Poole Spicer, Organist
Presentation of Colors, National Anthem Naval Reserve Officers
Training Corps Color Guard
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Invocation Pastor Larry L. Broxton
Christ Memorial Baptist Church
Savannah, Georgia
Selection "The Road Not Taken"
Music by Randall Thompson
Poem written by Robert Frost
Savannah State University Concert Choir
Professor Nan Poole Spicer, Organist
Introduction of Stage Guests Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.
Introduction of Speaker President
Commencement Address Rear Admiral Nevin P. Carr Jr.
ChiefofNaval Research
Arlington, Virginia
Introduction of Academic Deans Dr. Mostafa Sarhan
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
Selection "I Know I've Been Changed"
Arranged by Damon Dandridge
Savannah State University Concert Choir
Professor Nan Poole Spicer, Organist
Presentation of Awards Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.
President's Second Mile Award
Presentation of Candidates Dr. Emily Crawford
for the Master of Interim Dean, Graduate Studies
Business Administration Degree
Presentation of Candidates Dr. Emily Crawford
for the Master of
Public Administration Degree
-6-