News Summary
Savannah State University held a ceremonial Alumni Pinning Ceremony on May 9, 2025, for over 150 graduating seniors. The event connected graduates with alumni who served as pinners, symbolizing their new membership in the SSU National Alumni Association. Keynote speaker Vannessa Miller Kaigler emphasized the significance of personal growth during university years, while Marius Davis celebrated the impact of graduates on their communities. The ceremony coincided with the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony and recognized SSU’s legacy in shaping future leaders.
Savannah – Savannah State University (SSU) celebrated its Spring 2025 graduates during a ceremonial Alumni Pinning Ceremony held on May 9, 2025. This event marked an important transition for the graduates, officially welcoming them as members of the SSU National Alumni Association. More than 150 graduating seniors received their degrees alongside the participation of over 100 alumni who acted as pinners during the ceremony.
Eligible participants in the ceremony included students graduating with bachelor’s or master’s degrees from SSU. The unique aspect of the event was that only alumni of SSU were allowed to pin the graduating students, symbolizing the connection between current graduates and those who have previously walked the same path.
The keynote address was delivered by Vannessa Miller Kaigler, a distinguished alumna of SSU, who received her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1983 and her master’s in public administration in 1992. In her address, Kaigler emphasized the significance of experiences gained at SSU beyond academic achievements, noting the value of personal growth and leadership development cultivated during their time at the university.
Marius Davis, the director of alumni relations at SSU, highlighted the pinning ceremony as one of the university’s signature programs. Davis expressed enthusiasm about welcoming the new graduates into the alumni community and recognizing the potential impact these graduates can have on society and their respective communities.
The pinning ceremony served as a formal acknowledgment of the new graduates as members of the SSU alumni body. This event also coincided with SSU’s Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, which took place the same day at 9 a.m. at Enmarket Arena, celebrating over 360 graduates. Additional ceremonies that day included the Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 2 p.m. and the Navy ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at 3:30 p.m., both conducted on the SSU campus.
In the surrounding area, Georgia Southern University (GSU) was preparing to host its own commencement ceremonies for approximately 4,300 students, which are scheduled to take place between May 13 and May 17. Notable speakers at the GSU ceremonies include recognized figures such as health care software professional Hemant Goel and NFL player Younghoe Koo, among others.
Furthermore, Ralston College has scheduled its commencement ceremony for May 17, 2025, while Savannah Technical College is set to hold its graduation on June 4, featuring keynote speaker Vinh Pham, a successful alumnus. This year also saw medical students from the Medical College of Georgia Savannah campus graduating after completing all required clinical training in the area. Additionally, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will host commencement ceremonies for graduates of various programs on May 30 and 31.
SSU interim president Cynthia Robinson Alexander led discussions during the ceremony, focusing on the importance of recent alumni sharing their success stories within their communities. This initiative aims to inspire future generations and highlight the impact of SSU graduates on society.
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Additional Resources
- WSAV: SSU Holds Ceremonial Pinning Ceremony for Spring Graduates
- Wikipedia: Savannah
- Savannah Now: Review of Local Savannah Colleges and Universities Commencement Updates
- Google Search: Savannah State University
- WTOC: Savannah State University Hosts Inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards Ceremony
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Graduation
- Savannah Tribune: Savannah State Holds 205th Commencement Ceremony
- Google News: SSU Commencement 2025
