Savannah State University honors legacy of Thurgood Marshall

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah State University hosted a historic evening honoring the life, legacy and lasting impact of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall on Wednesday at the King-Frazier Student Center.

The program featured a panel discussion with Chatham County Superior Court Judges, a reception, a screening of the award-nominated documentary “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” and a conversation with Marshall’s granddaughter, Cecilia Marshall.

It was the first time the Chatham County Superior Court Judges appeared together on Savannah State University’s campus, with five out of six on hand to speak with attendees.

University leaders reflect ahead of event

“Justice Thurgood Marshall’s life reminds us of the transformative power of education, courage and service,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Savannah State University.

“As Georgia’s oldest public HBCU, Savannah State is proud to create a space where our students and community can engage directly with his legacy and consider how they, too, can use their education and talents to create meaningful change. We are especially honored to welcome our Chatham County Superior Court judges and Ms. Cecilia Marshall to campus for this historic occasion,” said the University’s president.

“Justice Marshall’s legacy extends far beyond the courtroom. His work fundamentally changed the legal landscape of our nation and expanded opportunities for generations of Americans,” said Attorney Flora Devine, vice president and chief legal affairs officer at Savannah State University.

“To bring our Chatham County Superior Court judges together on this campus to reflect on his influence, and to hear directly from his granddaughter, creates a powerful opportunity to connect history, law and education in a way that we hope will inspire our students and our entire community,” continued the VP.

Judges reflect on careers and impact

The panel discussion began at 4:30 p.m. in the Elmore Theater. The judges explored Marshall’s influence on American law, his impact on their own careers, the mentors who shaped their professional journeys, and their individual development as jurists.

Judge Chris Middleton said, “Sometimes when you’re called to do something, to move in a certain direction, I mean, it’s very uncomfortable. But when it’s uncomfortable like that, that’s when you know it’s the right decision.”

Judge Benjamin Karpf said, “I never envisioned at that point that I would be back in Savannah, period, or be doing what I’m doing now, and it does go to show that you don’t ever know where your career path might take you.”

The Honorable Timothy Walmsley, who just retired 2 weeks ago said, “I was on the bench almost 15 years, and in those 15 years, there was not a single time that I can remember where all of us got together on stage and talked a little bit about what we do, and what the position really means to us, and the importance of the position to the community.”

Many of the judges pointed out that Chatham County has always had a proud history of having a diverse bench, with four black judges and two white judges presiding over Superior Court.

Diversity on the bench

The Honorable Timothy Walmsley also added, “In order to be successful in this world, we really have to take in the opinions and the interests and the advice of many people, and quite candidly, many people sometimes that we wouldn’t necessarily agree with all the time.”

Chief Judge John Morse said it is most important to have the most diverse culture possible “so that you are well-rounded with respect to various experiences and diverse cultures that you get the experiences, regardless of whether or not they’re agreements or disagreements one way or the other. But at least you have the perspectives other than what you have been accustomed to.”

Judge Lisa Colbert said, “Many of us here were first generation, including myself, first generation of our families to go to college, first generation lawyer in my family.”

A reception followed the panel discussion in the King-Frazier Student Center Ballroom.

Documentary screening and family reflection

At 6:30 p.m., attendees returned to the Elmore Theater for a screening of “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect.” The film chronicled Marshall’s journey, including his matriculation at two historically Black colleges and universities, his legal career and his eventual appointment as the first African American justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following the screening, Savannah State hosted a live interview with Cecilia Marshall, granddaughter of Justice Thurgood Marshall and executive director of The Thurgood Marshall Foundation. Marshall took time to reflect on her grandfather’s legacy and his impact on American law and society.

Marshall’s ties to historically Black colleges

Thurgood Marshall attended Lincoln University before earning his law degree from Howard University School of Law. His legal career included arguing Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 1967 he became the first African American appointed to serve as a justice on the nation’s highest court.