As homecoming nears, Savannah State prepares to celebrate 135 years of impact and legacy

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - In its 135th year, Savannah State University is preparing to welcome thousands of people to its campus for homecoming this October.

Organizers on campus are already preparing to celebrate history and tradition while looking toward the future.

“From what I’ve been told, it is like no other,” said Savannah State University President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “The vibe. The atmosphere. It’s like family essentially. It’s a big family reunion in steroids.”

They say there is no other homecoming celebration like it.

“It’s all of our alums coming back, connecting with the students and really creating a whole vibe for the city of Savannah,” said Homecoming Co-Chair LeAndrea Mikell.

It is vibe and atmosphere full of celebration, community and of course history. Founded in November of 1890, Savannah State University is the first and oldest public historically black college and university in the state of Georgia. Under the Second Morrill Land Grant Act, the school first opened in Athens.

It moved to Savannah in 1891, starting with five faculty members and eight students.

“Hill Hall is the oldest standing building here on our campus,” explains SSU historian Johnny McDonald. “It was actually constructed in 1901 by faculty and students.”

McDonald shares that history surrounds the more than 3,000 students who attend Savannah State. It is that same history that welcomes alumni and their families back to homecoming every year.

“When you come onto the campus and you hear the names, there’s a story behind the name that you can connect everywhere you go,” said McDonald.

This year’s homecoming will include the traditional coronation that celebrates the crowning of Mister and Miss Savannah State. There’s also the big parade in downtown Savannah at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, followed by the game against Morehouse at 3:00 p.m. Events also include the alumni fish fry and pep rally.

“It’s just a time for people to come back, see people they have not seen in years, and really get excited about what the university is doing,” said Homecoming Co-Chair Moncello Stewart.

As the campus celebrates, school leaders say they have the people and the backing to push head to the future.

“We are in the pursuit of being a doctoral degree granted institution,” says Dr. Whirl. “We’re also in pursuit of being an R3 institution which focuses on high level research. And ultimately we want to grow this institution to be a first choice.”

Savannah State Homecoming events take place Saturday, October 25th.