An endowment honoring the late attorney Howard E. Alls has been established in perpetuity at Savannah State University (SSU) to reward high-achieving students pursuing the field of law. Eligible candidates include SSU students seeking full-time degrees.
Made possible by Attorney Willie J. Walker, a prominent alumni from the class of 1981, the first donation was received in 1999. Since its inception, the fund has gained more than $24,000 in donations and has been used to award nearly $15,000 toward student scholarships. In June of 2020, the scholarship was converted to an endowment, solidifying funds for future generations.
“Endowing this scholarship means that Attorney Alls legacy and memory will live on to help deserving students at Savannah State complete their education,” said Walker. “He embodied the value of a great SSU education both in his professional pursuits as a lawyer and his community service as an activist.”
Attorney Alls, civil rights and community activist, was a proud native son of Savannah. He is fondly remembered for his passion for people, dedication to social justice, and unwavering love for his city. He attended Herschel V. Jenkins High School, and later Savannah State College, where his passion for social justice was encouraged and molded. There as a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Chief Justice of the Student Body Government, he solidified his path toward civil activism. After graduating from Savannah State College, Alls enrolled at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law as a NAACP Earl Warren Scholar. On Nov. 12, 1997, Alls was fatally wounded during a home invasion. This heartbreaking and senseless event shook the Savannah community and sent shock waves throughout the state of Georgia. Howard E. Alls dedicated his life to serving others, advocating for those without a voice, and pushing his city, state, and country to be the best version of itself.
The Howard E. Alls Memorial Scholarship Fund is solely for the purpose of attracting and providing financial awards to students enrolled and matriculating at Savannah State University. Donors may contribute additional gifts to the fund at any time.
The Savannah State University Foundation is a Georgia non-profit corporation with the purpose of receiving, investing and administering the private support of SSU by encouraging charitable gifts from alumni and friends leading to academic programs of excellence. This allows the university to build upon a growing reputation of quality and value beyond the traditional resources provided by state appropriations or student tuition and fees. If you would be interested in financially supporting the university or contributing to the Howard E. Alls Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact University Advancement by calling 912-358-3059 or visit www.savannahstate.edu/university-advancement/.