One Hundred Seventy Fifth Commencement December 12, 2009 Savannah State University

2009·1.2 MB·English

by  Savannah State University

SAVANNAH
STATE
UNIVERSITY
lux et Ueritas
Saturday, December Twelfth, Two Thousand and Nine
Ten O'Clock A. M.
Tiger Arena
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY NATIONALALUMNI COVENANT
As a Savannah State University graduate, you must keep in mind the high
purposes to which you have aspired and for which this great university has
prepared you: intellectual development, moral behavior, compassionate
relationships and personal actions for the good ofthe commonwealth. Do
you understand?
Graduates: do so understand.
I
As a Savannah State Universitygraduate you must be alertto opportunities
to advance the legitimate interests and welfare of the Savannah State
University National Alumni Association and, through the Association, to
assist in the continued development of Savannah State University. Do you
understand?
Graduates: do so understand
I
As a Savannah State University graduate, it is incumbent that you give
financial support to the Savannah State University National Alumni
Association and toyourAlma Materas a means ofprovidingan educational
legacy for those who will follow you. Do you understand?
Graduates: do so understand
I
Considering what you have just heard and have read silently, do you
covenant with members ofthe Savannah State University National Alumni
Association?
Graduates: do hereby covenant with the members of the Savannah
I
State University National Alumni Association and solemnly pledge my
loyal support to my Alma Mater Savannah State University.
A
•s
II
avannah State University
Mission Statement
ISSS
Savannah State University, the oldest public historically black university in the Stat
Georgia, develops productive members ofa 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.
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY NATIONAL ALUMNI COVENANT
As a Savannah State University graduate, you must keep in mind the high
purposesto which you have aspired and for which this great university has
prepared you: intellectual development, moral behavior, compassionate
relationships and personal actions for the good ofthe commonwealth. Do
you understand?
Graduates: do so understand.
I
As a Savannah State Universitygraduate you must be alertto opportunities
to advance the legitimate interests and welfare of the Savannah State
University National Alumni Association and, through the Association, to
assist in the continued development of Savannah State University. Do you
understand?
Graduates: do so understand
I
As a Savannah State University graduate, it is incumbent that you give
financial support to the Savannah State University National Alumn
Association and toyourAlma Materas a meansofprovidingan educational
legacy for those who will follow you. Do you understand?
Graduates do so understand
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History of Savannah State University
OnNovember 26, 1890, enabling legislationwaspassedby the GeorgiaGeneralAssembly to establish
a school for the education and training of colored students, which was to operate as a part of the
University ofGeorgia. One hundred andnineteenyears later, the college has become SavannahState
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 in
Thunderbolt, 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.; Reverend James 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 the Ph.D. in sociology from the University ofPennsylvania
(1911), and later to become the president ofhistoric Wilberforce University. During Wright's tenure
as president (1890-1921), President William McKinley (1898) and President William Howard Taft
W
(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 ofthe 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
ofthe University System ofGeorgia (1932). The name of the college was changed to Georgia State
College in 1932. In 1950, the name of the 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 convocationprocedures, 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.
The University motto is "Lux Et Veritas" (Light and Truth).
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Academic Regalia
ModernacademicdresshasevolvedfromatypeofapparelprescribedbyEnglishMedieval Universities
todistinguish theirschoolsfrom the layperson indress atatime wheneverybodywore robes orgowns.
WhenAmerican colleges and universities desired to adoptsome 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 color ofthe tassel usually differentiates the field
of study for which the degree was granted, the gold tassel being worn by doctors or by presidents of
colleges 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 of dress, is however, the most distinctive feature of the academic
attire. It is a black, crow-shaped badge or adornment with an oval opening and worn down 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 of the
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 four feet in length and is made with a wide panel. Hoods
may be worn for only those degrees actually held by the wearers.
Members ofthe governing body ofa 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 of
degrees 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, including trimmings ofdoctor's gowns, edging ofhoods, and tassels ofcaps,
the color associated 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 liningofthe hood has an orange chevron on a blue background to
represent school colors. A faculty member wears the color ofhis alma mater.
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Congressman John Barrow Georgia's 2th Congressional District
I
CommenceI ment Speaker
John Barrow is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House
ofRepresentatives for Georgia's 12th Congressional District.
John Barrow's Georgia roots run deep. For over seven generations,
his family has farmed, taught, preached, and practiced law all
across eastern and southeastern Georgia. He grew up learning the
importance of serving his community and standing up for what's
right. John's father, James Barrow, was a decorated World War II
veteran, and his mother, Phyllis Barrow, also served in the armed
service during World War II, attaining the rank ofCaptain. Both
were courageous and outspoken leaders in the effort to desegregate
the University ofGeorgia.
Barrow earned degrees in political science and history from the
University of Georgia. Later, at only 20 years old, he became one
of the youngest members ofhis class at Harvard Law School.
In 1990, after having built and run a successful law practice, Barrow was elected as a charter
member of the Athens-Clarke County Commission. He served on the Commission for 14 years,
voting against every tax increase, working for economic development, fighting for property tax
relief for homeowners, and developing innovative programs to improve the quality of life of the
people he represented.
In Congress, those are the same values John Barrow fights for every day.
In the House ofRepresentatives, Barrowcurrentlyservesonthe Energy andCommerceCommittee.
Barrow is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition.
Barrow is the father of two children, James and Ruth, and lives in Savannah.
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!
Order of Procession
The Chief Marshal
The Class Marshals
Candidates for Master's 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 College Hymn
Original words andmusic byJ. Randolph Fisherand Hillary Hatchett
Let usgive thanks andpraises to Refrain
OurAlma Mater, S.S.U. Where Savannah meets thesea,
Thine honor, pride, andeminence, Wheregrassyplains andpalms abound.
We raise inprayerfulreverence. Where theFlow'rs aregems ofloveliness,
ThereS.S.U. isfound.
Guide us stillfrom day to day.
Be Thou mindful lestwe lose ourway; We adore each beauteous scene andhall
Help us know that life, shortorlong, Ourallwepledge to Thee!
Means unceasingworkforweakandstrong. In ourhearts we'11buildashrinefor You
Wehail Thee, S.S.U.
Lyrical RevisionbyMs. LaGinaM. Frazier
Order of Exercises
Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D., President
Presiding
Prelude "Largo" Handel
Professor Quynh Shannon, Organist
*Academic Procession "WarMarch ofthe Priests" Felix Mendelssohn
Professor Quynh Shannon, Organist
Presentation of Colors Army R.O.T.C. Color Guard
Invocation Reverend Da'Henri R. Thurmond Sr.
Pastor, St. PaulCMEChurch
Savannah, Georgia
Selection "Go Down Moses" arr. byMoses Hogan
SavannahState University Men'sGleeClubAlumni
Lawrence HutchinsJr., Co-Director
Rose Overstreet Smith, Co-Directorand Organist
Introduction ofPlatform Guests
and Introduction of Speaker Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.
Commencement Address CongressmanJohn Barrow
12th DistrictofGeorgia
Selection "The Battle Hymn ofThe Republic" arr. byPeterJ. Wilhousky
Savannah State University Men'sGleeClubAlumni
Presentation ofCandidates
fortheMaster of
Business Administration Degree Dr. Emily Crawford
Interim Dean, Graduate Studies andSponsoredResearch
Presentation ofCandidates
forthe Masterof Science
Public Administration Degree Dr. Emily Crawford
Presentation ofCandidates
for the Masterof
Social Work Degree Dr. Emily Crawford
Presentation of Candidates
forthe Master of
Urban StudiesDegree Dr. Emily Crawford
Presentation ofCandidates
for theMaster of Science in
Marine Sciences Degree Dr. Emily Crawford
Conferring ofMaster's Degrees Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.
AssistedbyDr. Emily Crawford, Dr. WillieJohnson, Professor, Political Science and Public Affairs Department
andMs. Kai Walker, Assistant Professor, MassCommunications Department