Savannah State University

Established in 1890, Savannah State University (SSU) is Georgia’s oldest public historically black university and today this public, four-year institution is home to around 5,000 students.

The institution was originally founded as the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth in Athens, Georgia, before moving to Savannah the following year. In 1921, the first female students were admitted and in 1932 it became a member of the University System of Georgia, an organization that it is still part of today.

Today SSU is located on a 201-acre campus that is widely regarded as one of the most scenic and picturesque in the state of Georgia – in fact, part of the 1999 movie The General’s Daughter was filmed on campus, as well as an episode of TLC show Trading Spaces in 2007.

The campus is around five miles southeast of central Savannah and home to a range of plant species that are scattered throughout the area. Notable buildings include the historic Hill Hall, built by SSU students at the beginning of the twentieth century, as well as the 6,000-seat stadium known as the Tiger Arena that hosts the SSU athletics teams.

There are more than 75 student clubs and organisations at SSU, including the Marching Tiger Band, who perform at SSU football games, as well as the Wesleyan Gospel Choir, which has been running since 1971.

Notable former students include American football stars Shannon Sharpe and Troy Hambrick, as well as Lieutenant General Walter E. Gaskin and civil rights leader W. W. Law.