William E. Gardner Jr.

Infobox University Chancellor
name = Dr. William E. Gardner Jr.


caption =
order = President
university = Savannah State College
term_start = 1989
term_end = 1991
birth_date =
birth_place =
death_date = 1991
death_place = Tybee Island, Georgia
predecessor = Wendell G. Rayburn
successor = John T. Wolfe Jr.
alma_mater =
residence =
profession = educator
religion =
salary =
spouse =
children =
website =
footnotes =|Dr. William E. Gardner served as president of Savannah State College from 1989 until 1991. citeweb|title=SSU - Where Savannah Meets the Sea...|url=http://webpages.charter.net/ssuatl/history.htm|accessdate=2008-08-31]

Biography

Education

Early career

President

Dr. Gardner was the ninth president of Savannah State College. His tenure as president saw unprecedented enrollment growth (13 percent) 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. citeweb|title=William E. Gardner, Jr., Hall|url=http://www.savstate.edu/tour/Buildings/gardner/gardner.htm|accessdate=2008-09-13]

He also established the $2.7 million Advanced Water Technology Institute and oversaw improvements to the physical plant and a $3 million addition to the student center.

During his tenure as president the college held the Centennial Celebration of Savannah State and the Adams Hall was restored and opened as the college’s archives facility. The Hill Hall Restoration Project was also established to provide $1.5 million external funding for the restoration of the historic campus building.

Dr. Gardner was also responsible for the replica of the U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" demonstration flying team jet flown by Donnie Cochran, being placed in front of the McGlockton NROTC Building.

Death

Dr. William E. Gardner, Jr. died in office in 1991. He was succeeded by Dr. Annette K. Brock.

Legacy

The William E. Gardner Jr. Hall was named in honor and recogniztion of his published vision for Savannah State College and his immense popularity with the students.

uggested Reading

*Hall, Clyde W (1991). "One Hundred Years of Educating at Savannah State College, 1890-1990." East Peoria, Ill.: Versa Press.

References

s-ttl|title= President of
Savannah State College
years=1989 — 1991