On Saturday, May 22, the SSU National Alumni Association held a scholarship benefit at the Desoto Hilton.

Pictured left to right: Standing: Bettina Tate, Vanessa Miller-Kaigler, Patricia Mathis, Ava Phoenix, Sandra McCord Best, Dionne Hoskins; seated: Virginia Edwards, Clemontine Washington, and Priscilla Thomas The benefit was also an opportunity for the association to honor nine women of influence who are all graduates of the university as well.

Among the honorees were Dr. Sandra McCord Best, Chief Human Resources Officer for Savannah State University; Ms. Virginia Edwards, retired educator, and former superintendent of Savannah Chatham County Schools; Dr. Dionne Hoskins, director of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs, SSU; Mrs. Vanessa Miller-Kaigler, Purchasing Director, Savannah Chatham County Public School System; Ms. Patricia Mathis, President and CEO of Pat Mathis Construction Company; Dr. Ava Phoenix, practicing physican at A Place for Women, Jacksonville, FL.; Bettina Tate, marketing teacher, Johnson High School. Dr. Priscilla Thomas, retired school administrator, and current Chatham County Commissioner; and Dr. Clemontine Washington, Mayor of Midway, Ga., and retired school administrator.

Due to the cancellation of the 2010 Ebony Fashion Fair at SSU, Johnson Publishing Company provided designer dresses for auction.