Savannah State University Celebrates 15th President's Investiture

Weeklong festivities lead up to formal ceremony for new university leader Dr. Jermaine Whirl.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:53pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of the Savannah State University logo repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, neon color palettes and heavy black outlines to transform the university's visual identity into a modern pop art piece.Savannah State University celebrates the investiture of its 15th president with a vibrant visual tribute to the school's legacy and community spirit.Savannah Today

Savannah State University, Georgia's first public historically Black college and university, is holding a weeklong celebration leading up to the formal investiture ceremony for its 15th president, Dr. Jermaine Whirl. The celebration includes a day of community service, a pep rally showcasing school pride, and the official investiture ceremony taking place on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Why it matters

Savannah State University has not had a permanent president in some time, so this investiture week is a significant moment for the campus community to come together and celebrate their new leader, who students say has already brought a renewed sense of hope and purpose to the institution.

The details

The weeklong celebration started on Wednesday with a day of giving back to the community. Thursday featured a pep rally that showcased the university's band, cheer team, and school pride. Students expressed optimism about Dr. Whirl's approach, saying he has emphasized serving the campus community and working to secure Savannah State's legacy for the next 100 years.

  • The weeklong celebration started on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The pep rally took place on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The official investiture ceremony will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10 a.m. in Tiger Arena.

The players

Dr. Jermaine Whirl

The 15th president of Savannah State University, who has been in the role for over a year and is being formally invested this week.

Jar-Quez Johnson

A Savannah State University student who expressed hope in Dr. Whirl's leadership and the significance of the investiture week for the campus.

Isaiah Clark

A Savannah State University student who said Dr. Whirl's approach of working for the students has resonated with the campus community.

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What they’re saying

“Savannah State is about community. It's about family. So it's really an opportunity for us to have kind of a big family reunion today.”

— Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President, Savannah State University

“Dr. Worrell has brought hope. Hope that my university can go on for another 100 plus years. Hope that my degree will still mean something once I leave this place.”

— Jar-Quez Johnson, Student, Savannah State University

“He said himself that he works for us. And to show that he's a president that actually works but serves, it shows that we chose the right man to be our president.”

— Isaiah Clark, Student, Savannah State University

What’s next

The official investiture ceremony for Dr. Jermaine Whirl as the 15th president of Savannah State University will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10 a.m. in Tiger Arena.

The takeaway

This investiture week marks a significant moment for Savannah State University, as the campus community celebrates the arrival of a new permanent president who has already inspired hope and a renewed sense of purpose among students. The festivities highlight the university's legacy as Georgia's first public historically Black college and university, and its continued commitment to serving its students and the broader Savannah community.