SSU Presidential Scholarship Gala Set for May 1 at Tiger Arena


Dr. Earl Yarbrough, Sr.
Dr. Earl Yarbrough, Sr.

Savannah State University will host its Presidential Scholarship Gala at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in Tiger Arena, transforming the athletic facility into an elegant ballroom for the black-tie affair and premier university fundraiser.

Formerly the Hill Hall Scholarship Gala, the Presidential Scholarship Gala carries the theme “Advancing a Rising Tradition” and will feature dinner, dancing and entertainment from the Teddy Adams Sextet jazz band with special guest vocalist Huxsie Scott.

Two student groups will also perform: an allmale quartet from the SSU Revue choir, under the direction of Nan Spicer, an instructor in the Department of Liberal Arts; and the Black Diamond Dance Ensemble, a troupe under the direction of LaJune Wise- Wilkerson, an assistant professor in the Department of Liberal Arts.

Net proceeds from the gala will be used to establish the Presidential Scholarship Endowment, which will provide much-needed scholarship money — into perpetuity — for deserving students. Individuals can purchase a gala ticket for $150, while couples tickets cost $250. A reserved table for 6 and varying levels of corporate sponsorship start at $700.

Virginia-based Thompson Hospitality — the nation’s largest minorityowned food service company and on-campus provider for Savannah State — already has signed on as a title sponsor. Local news station WTOC-TV is a principal sponsor and anchor Dawn Baker will host the gala. The station will also televise a gala special later in the month that will include interviews with other major sponsors.

“With shrinking state funding and more than 95 percent of our students requiring financial assistance, support is critical to help ensure that Savannah State is competitive in attracting and retaining topcaliber students,” said Earl G. Yarbrough, Sr., Ph.D., university president.

Established in 1890, Savannah State University is on the move to become the best value-added university in the nation. The university’s approximately 3,800 students are enrolled in 23 undergraduate degree majors and five graduate programs in three colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology.

For more information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities and other questions about the Presidential Scholarship Gala, call the Division of University Advancement at (912) 356- 2286.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.