Armstrong Campus: A Legacy of Education and Transformation in Savannah

The Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University, located in Savannah, Georgia, boasts a rich history that reflects the evolution of higher education in the region. From its humble beginnings as a junior college during the Great Depression to its current status as an integral part of a major state university, Armstrong has consistently adapted to meet the changing needs of its students and the surrounding community.

Early Years and Founding

Armstrong Junior College was established in 1935 by Savannah Mayor Thomas Gamble during the Great Depression. Gamble saw the college as a way to benefit Savannah's youth and stimulate the local economy. The college was initially housed in the historic Armstrong House, a mansion adjacent to Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah, which was donated by the family of businessman George Armstrong.

Transition and Growth

In 1959, Armstrong Junior College became part of the University System of Georgia, operating as a community college under the name Armstrong College of Savannah. The college experienced significant growth in the 1960s. In 1962, the Mills B. Lane Foundation and Donald Livingston donated 250 acres on Savannah's southside for a new campus. This new campus opened in 1966, providing Armstrong with the space to expand its academic offerings and student body. In 1964, the Board of Regents conferred four-year status on Armstrong State College, marking a significant step in its development.

Desegregation and Diversity

Armstrong's history is also marked by its journey toward racial integration. In 1963, Otis S. Johnson, a Navy veteran, became the first African American to attend Armstrong, graduating the following year with an associate degree. His admission followed a period of racial unrest in Savannah and marked a significant milestone in the desegregation of the college. In 1961, Alfred Owens became the first African American to apply to Armstrong, though he was initially rejected.

The "Armstrong Time Machine" project highlighted Armstrong’s history, with a focus on student life and diversity. The exhibit featured posters with a timeline of Armstrong's history, emphasizing desegregation and the stories of Owens and Johnson, along with archival materials like student handbooks, event memorabilia, and yearbook clippings. An interactive Jeopardy-style game engaged visitors with clippings from the student newspaper, The Inkwell, tasking them with identifying the publication year. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 88% of respondents reporting learning something valuable about the campus's history.

Expansion and University Status

Armstrong continued to expand its academic programs and facilities in the following decades. In 1996, Armstrong State College achieved university status and changed its name to Armstrong Atlantic State University. The following year, the university opened the Liberty Center in Hinesville. In 1993, the college began extensive landscaping work that transformed the campus into an arboretum.

Janet Stone's scholarly history, "From the Mansion to the University: a History of Armstrong Atlantic State University, 1935-2010," elucidates Armstrong's historical significance and milestones: founded in 1935 as a junior college, joined the University System of Georgia in 1959, desegregated in 1962 by Otis Johnson, and relocated to the Southside campus in 1966.

Consolidation with Georgia Southern University

On January 11, 2017, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to consolidate Armstrong State University with Georgia Southern University. Under the consolidation plan, Armstrong State inherited Georgia Southern's name, leadership, academics, and athletics. The merged institution became the fourth-largest public university in the state, known as the "New Georgia Southern University." As of 2018, the Armstrong campus became one of the three campuses of Georgia Southern University.

Campus and Facilities

The Armstrong campus is located in a suburban setting near the Savannah Mall, providing easy access to downtown Savannah. The campus features a variety of modern facilities, including:

Lane Library: The main academic and research library.
Science Center Complex: A two-building complex housing programs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Physical Science, and Psychology.
Student Union: A 61,000-square-foot building that opened in 2010, featuring a food court, movie theatre, ballroom, bookstore, coffeehouse, and convenience store.
Memorial College Center: Connected to the Student Union.
Windward Commons: A suite-style residential community.
Learning Commons: A 14,000-square-foot space developed as an extension to the Lane Library.

Academics and Programs

Armstrong offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. The university is organized into several colleges:

Read also: The Dynasty of Excellence

College of Education
College of Health Professions
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science and Technology
Graduate Studies programs

The university has full accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university does not utilize graduate students to teach classes, as all are taught by members of the Armstrong faculty.

Student Life and Activities

Armstrong offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular programs, organizations, performances, forums, and athletics. The university has over 100 student organizations and an expanding Greek life system with nine fraternity and sorority organizations.

The Student Government Association, Graduate Student Coordinating Council, and University Programming Board offer many opportunities for involvement, leadership, and entertainment. The Inkwell is the university's student-run award-winning publication. Celebrate Armstrong occurs in October and is planned by the University Programming Board (UPB). The campus offers numerous volunteering opportunities to give back to the local community.

Athletics

Armstrong's athletic teams were known as the Pirates. Athletics at Armstrong began at the start of the school's history in the 1930s with its teams known as the Geechees. Athletics were suspended during World War II. Armstrong holds 96 PBC championships and has appeared in 139 NCAA Championships, winning 13 titles. Armstrong has produced 296 All-Americans.

The Geechee Yearbook

"The Geechee" is Armstrong’s college yearbook, published annually since the first graduating class in 1937. The 1966 Geechee shows the brand-new campus on Savannah’s southside. The 1973 Geechee’s photo of The Black American Movement, a growing African American student organization, includes Otis Johnson. The yearbooks of the 1980s and 1990s show a more diverse, growing campus; 1995 marks Armstrong's 60th anniversary, and the last Geechee annual.

Read also: Choosing Your UGA Major

tags: #georgia #southern #university #armstrong #campus #history