Commencement Ceremony

196th Commencement

Saturday, December 12, 9 a.m.
Tiger Arena

Speaker: Georgia House of Representatives Member-Elect Derek Mallow

Member-elect of the Georgia House of Representatives, Derek Mallow values hard work, dedication, discipline and commitment. 

A native of Savannah, Mallow learned the importance of civics, and living to always help other people as a young cub scout and later as a member of the Boy Scouts of America, troop 210. Today and for more than 13 years, he has worked as a District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America. He is an advocate for workforce development, and has created Exploring programs to help enrich the lives of young people in public housing communities and throughout the city of Savannah.

A member of First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Mallow is a graduate of Jenkins High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., where he studied leadership and ministry. In addition, Mallow earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Savannah State University in May of 2020.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, the 100 Black Men of Savannah, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

• Academic Attire
• Commencement Ceremony
• Disability Access
• Distribution of Diplomas
• Parking and Campus Access Information
• Permission to Participate
• Photography
• Printed Program
• Regalia Video
• Rehearsal Information
• Seating Information
• Social Media
• Ticket Information
• Travel (Hotel & Restaurant Information)
• Webcast

Academic Attire

Caps and gowns are required ceremony attire for all graduates. Cap and gown orders will be available for pick up at the campus bookstore located in King-Frazier Student Center. Please contact the bookstore for pick up date confirmation.

Commencement Ceremony

Procession

The procession begins promptly at 9 a.m. The ceremony usually lasts about two hours, depending on the number of graduates.

A university marshal will direct graduates to the appropriate seating location. Remain standing until all processional groups - graduation candidates, faculty and the platform party - are in place and please remain standing for the national anthem.

Presentation of Candidates

The dean of each college will present the candidates for the various degrees to the president. The president will deliver the conferral remarks. The candidates for the various degrees will then be asked to approach the stage for presentation.

Disability Access

In order to ensure all guests are safe and comfortable, please alert a graduation usher if a guest has a mobility impairment of any kind.

Come Early

This is to secure disability parking, avoid being jostled by the crowds and be seated before the procession begins. We strongly recommend arriving no later than 8:30 a.m. 

Disability Entrance & Seating

There is limited wheelchair seating in the stands and it is on a first come, first served basis. Guests may use the elevator, which is located near the east entrance of the arena, to access the upper-level seats.

Disability seating is available on the floor level behind the faculty and graduates for guests who are unable to negotiate the stairs or the stands. Please inform ushers if you need to sit in disability seating at the floor level.

Due to limited space, we respectfully request that only one companion sit with the guest who has a mobility impairment in the disability seating area. Other family members should sit in the stands.

Chairs on the floor can accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. Guests in the disability section on the floor may want to remain seated and meet their graduates and/or the rest of their party in the disability seating area after the graduation ceremony to avoid crowded areas.

Hearing Impaired Guests

Optimal seating will be reserved for the hearing impaired and those with other disabilities.

Other Options for Viewing Ceremony

The commencement ceremony will stream live:

Emergency Care

EMTs and an ambulance will be present, if needed, at the guest's expense.

Questions

Contact Disability Services at 912-358-3616 or youngt@savannahstate.edu.

Emergency Care

EMTs and an ambulance will be present, if needed, at the guest's expense.

Questions

Contact Disability Services at 912-358-3616 or youngt@savannahstate.edu.

Distribution of Diplomas

Diploma covers - not diplomas - will be distributed during the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the application for graduation after final confirmation of degree program completion. Please allow 10-14 business days after the date of commencement for receipt of degree.

Parking and Campus Access Information

There is no charge for campus parking on commencement day. All parking is first come, first served. Since parking will be limited, please allow plenty of time to find a space and walk to the arena. 

Questions

Public Safety - 912-358-3004
Parking Services - 912-358-3109 (Monday through Friday, 8:00-5:00)
parking@savannahstate.edu

Permission to Participate

Permission to participate is generally granted only to those students who have been confirmed by the Office of the Registrar to have completed all degree requirements. If you have any questions regarding eligibility to participate, please contact either your department chair or dean.

Photography

Ceremony Photos

On the day of the ceremony, a photographer will take a photo of all degree presentations. 

Please do not make individual arrangements with other commercial photographers to be at the ceremony for photography purposes. Guests will not have access to the arena floor for photography or videotaping.

Printed Program

Not yet available

Regalia Video

Learn how to wear your regalia.

Rehearsal Information

Not Available

Social Media

Graduates and guests are encouraged to share their stories using #SavState20. Savannah State may share these images on its social media outlets. 

Ticketing

Distribution

Overflow locations

Travel Information

Hotels/motels, restaurants and travel directions

Webcast

Family and friends unable to attend the ceremony may watch the live stream.