Savannah State University Professor Tara Cox, Ph.D. has been named a recipient of the Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair. The coveted award recognizes professional accomplishments in classroom education and student success. Cox is the second Savannah State University professor to receive the honor after Hanes Walton, Jr., Ph.D. in 1972.

“This is a great distinction for Professor Cox and for Savannah State University,” said Savannah State University Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander. “Professor Cox is an outstanding professor who excels at teaching and developing strong bonds with her students as she guides them in learning and research. I congratulate Dr. Cox on this wonderful achievement.”

The honor allows Cox, who runs an active research lab studying the bottlenose dolphin population, to expand on that research and include more graduate and undergraduate students in the work. Since 2009, hundreds of undergraduates and graduate students, and interns have worked in the lab gaining invaluable research experience.

“Establishing this endowed chair at an HBCU will inspire future generations, enhance the quality of the science, and will greatly benefit our flagship marine sciences bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at Savannah State University,” said Cox.

The Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Trust was established in 1968 by the Callaway Foundation, Inc., to encourage the enrichment of academic programs at designated Georgia colleges. The Callaway Professorial Chair, funded through the Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chairs Trust was established by the Callaway Foundation Inc., and is administered by Bank of America. It aims to help these institutions add and retain exemplary faculty members. The chairs are named to honor Georgia native and textile industrialist Fuller E. Callaway, Sr., in recognition of his profound interest in education.

Learn more about the bachelor’s in marine science program or the master’s in marine science program.