Savannah State University (SSU) will celebrate its 135th Founders Day on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Tiger Arena. The celebration will feature Dr. Tomikia LeGrande, President of Prairie View A&M University and a proud SSU alumna, as the keynote speaker.
Dr. LeGrande, a 2001 graduate of Savannah State University, made history in 2023 as the ninth president of Prairie View A&M University and only the second woman to hold that role. A nationally recognized higher education leader, Dr. LeGrande has dedicated her career to advancing student access, success, and innovation. Her previous leadership roles include Vice President for Strategy, Enrollment Management, and Student Success at Virginia Commonwealth University; Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the University of Houston–Downtown; and Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at Winston-Salem State University.
In recognition of her distinguished career and service, Dr. LeGrande will be presented with the Richard R. Wright Award of Excellence, the university’s highest honor. Established in 1972, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service in the social, educational, and civic arenas. It is named in honor of Richard R. Wright, Sr., the university’s first president and one of its most transformative figures.
“Founders Day is a time to celebrate the legacy, resilience, and impact of Savannah State University,” said SSU President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “For 135 years, SSU has shaped leaders who go on to transform communities and industries. Dr. Tomikia LeGrande exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a Tiger—bold, visionary, and committed to creating opportunities for others.”
In honor of this milestone year, all living former presidents of Savannah State University will be invited to participate in the celebration, underscoring the continuity of leadership and shared commitment to the university’s mission across generations.
The program will also include the presentation of the Cyrus G. Wiley Distinguished Alumni Award, which honors graduates who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, leadership, and dedication to the university. Nominations for this year’s award are now open and may be submitted online at https://forms.gle/uybdYLg6astQ6bjL8 through October 31, 2025.
Founded on November 26, 1890, as Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, Savannah State University is Georgia’s oldest public historically Black college or university (HBCU) and Savannah’s oldest institution of higher learning. Since its founding, SSU has remained committed to academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement.
The Founders Day Celebration is free and open to the public.
