President of Savannah State University


The President of Savannah State University is the chief operating officer of the university. The position is sometimes called the chancellor or rector, at other American colleges and universities. There have been fourteen presidents and five acting presidents in the history of Savannah State University.
NameDatesNotes
Richard R. Wright1891–1921An American military officer, educator, politician, civil rights advocate, and banking entrepreneur, who served as president from 1891 to 1921. During this term as president enrollment increased from the original 8 students to more than 400 and the curriculum was expanded.
Cyrus G. Wiley1921–1926Wiley was a 1902 graduate of Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youth. During his term as president the first female students were admitted as boarding students on the campus.
Benjamin F. Hubert1926–1947During his tenure as president the college became a full-time degree granting institution.
James A. Colston1947–1949During his term as president Savannah State became accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. and the college's land-grant status was transferred to Fort Valley State College.
Timothy Meyers1949Acting President
William K. Payne1949–1963The college received its first accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the name was changed to Savannah State College during his tenure.
Howard Jordan Jr.1963–1971The first master's degree program was developed at a Savannah college during his tenure.
Prince A. Jackson Jr.1971–1978As the second alumnus to become president of Savannah State, he was responsible for the establishment of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and WHCJ at Savannah State, and the institutionalization of the Title III program.
Clyde W. Hall1978–1980Acting President
Wendell G. Rayburn1980–1988His administration implemented the Desegregation Plan mandated by the Georgia Board of Regents and he led the institution through the first major building program since the 1970s.
Wiley S. Bolden1988–1989Acting President
William E. Gardner Jr.1989–1991His tenure as president saw unprecedented enrollment growth for the college and he successfully led the College to SACS accreditation. Additionally, he developed a plan to reestablish a teacher certification program at the college.
Annette K. Brock1991–1993Acting President
John T. Wolfe Jr.1993–1997During his tenure the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia granted the school university status and the institution was renamed Savannah State University.
Carlton E. Brown1997–2006The eleventh president of Savannah State University.
Julius Scott2007Acting President
Earl G. Yarbrough Sr.2007–2011Former president of Savannah State University.
Cheryl Davenport Dozier2011–2019Former President of Savannah State University.
Kimberly Ballard-Washington2019-presentInterim President.