Savannah State University will hold its 197th undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, November 21, at T. A. Wright Stadium. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Approximately 315 students will receive master’s, bachelor’s and/or associate degrees.

In compliance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, each student will be allowed to invite a maximum of four guests. Students and guests will be required to wear masks during the event and be given specific instructions about entering and exiting the stadium.

“Though we have made adjustments to our usual pomp and circumstance surrounding this significant milestone for our students, we are happy to offer an in-person graduation ceremony,” said SSU Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington. “The graduation ceremony represents such an exciting moment in time for our students, and I know the graduates are looking forward to celebrating their successes with their families.

The honorable Mayor Van R. Johnson II, will give the commencement address. Johnson, the 67th Mayor of the City of Savannah, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Savannah State University (c/o ’90) and Georgia Southern University, respectively. Before  holding the mayor’s position, Johnson served 16 years as alderman for Savannah City Council’s First District.

Mayor Johnson is only the fourth elected official from Savannah to serve on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. He also recently served as Chair of the Advisory Board of the National League of Cities, becoming the first Savannahian to hold such an office.

SSU will hold a graduation ceremony for the spring class of 2020 on Saturday, December 12. Additional information about our graduation exercises is available online at savannahstate.edu/commencement.