Navigation

Grand Marshals & Honorees

History

1979
Theme: N/A
Honoree: Dr. Walter S. Davis (first parade honoree and first year Homecoming was made an official event)

1980
Theme: "TSU...People Make Us Great"
Honoree: Mr. Frank T. Greer
(First year bands were included in the parade and have participated ever since)

1981
Theme: "Working Together–We Make It Happen"
Honoree: Ms. Annie G. Sasser

1982
Theme: "It's a Celebration"
Honoree: Mr. Robert Murrell

1983
Theme: "Profiles of Greatness"
Honoree: 1953 Hall of Fame Inductees

1984
Theme: "Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future"
Honoree: Hall of Fame Inductees

1985
Theme: "Pulling Together for Success–TSU Is the Best"
Honoree: Ms. Sabra Conner

1986
Theme: "TSU A Proud History Now and Forever"
Honoree: Mr. Wayne Reeves

1987
Theme: "Some Traditions Are Forever"
Honoree: Former SGA Presidents and Miss TSU's

1988
Theme: "TSU Exploding into the 21st Century"
Honoree: Hall of Fame Inductees
Grand Marshal: Coach Edward Temple

1989
Theme: "A Renaissance in Effect"
Grand Marshal: Ms. Maxine Merritt

1990
Theme: "The Dawn of a New Spirit"
Honoree: Forest Strange (Post)
Grand Marshal: Ms. Ivanetta Davis

1991
Theme: "Coming Home in 1991"
Honoree: Dr. W. Dury Cox (Post)
Grand Marshal: Coach J. C. Coffee

1992
Theme: "A Reunion of Tradition and Spirit"
Honoree: Mr. Alphonsa Thomas
Grand Marshal: Mr. Frank "Moondog" McRae

1993
Theme: " A Lifetime of Unity and Tradition"
Honoree: Dr. Jamye McDonald Williams
Grand Marshal: Dr. Dick Barnett

1994
Theme: "TSU: A Living Legacy Soaring into the 21st Century"
Honoree: Dr. Robert J. Hudson
Grand Marshal: Mr. Ed "Too Tall" Jones

1995
Theme: "Pulling Chains from the Past to Link Together the Future"
Honoree: Ms. Della Shute
Grand Marshal: Dr. Levi Watkins

1996
Theme: "TSU: Running with the Flame of Pride and Tradition"
Honoree: Ms. Inez Crutchfield
Grand Marshal: Ms. Wyomia Tyus

1997
Theme: "TSU: 85 Years of Thinking, Working, and Serving"
Honoree: Ms. Ethel Boswell
Grand Marshal: Ms. Xernona Clayton

1998
Theme: "TSU: On the Wings of a New Millennium"
Honoree: Col. Howard Baugh
Grand Marshal: Four Star General Lloyd Newton

1999
Theme: "TSU: New Life for a New Era"
Honoree: Ms. Arthuryne W. Taylor
Grand Marshal: Dr. Bobby Jones

2000
Theme: "TSU: Investing in Our Future for the New Millennium"
Honoree: Dr. Andrew Bond
Grand Marshal: Dr. T. B. Boyd

2001
Theme: "TSU: The Winning Spirit Continues"
Honoree: Former NFL/CFL Players
Grand Marshal: Congressman Harold Ford, Sr. (No Show)

2002
Theme: "TSU: Inspiring Our Students to Drive for Success"
Honoree: Ms. Lillian Dunn Thomas
Grand Marshal: Mr. Wilmer Cooksey

2003
Theme: "TSU: Making Today's Visions Tomorrow's Reality"
Honoree: Ms. Mary Adams
Grand Marshal: The Reverend Dr. Jim Holley

2004
Theme: TSU: Empowering Our Students with the Formula to Succeed"
Honoree: Dr. Katie White
Grand Marshal: Mayor Harvey Johnson

2005
Theme: TSU: Creating Leaders Across the Globe"
Honoree: Mrs. Charlie B. Temple
Grand Marshal: Mr. Amos Otis

2006
Theme: "Building Bridges: Past–Present–Future"
Honoree: Dr. Marcy D. Johnson (First Lady of TSU)
Grand Marshal: Dr. Melvin N. Johnson (President of TSU)

2007
Theme: "Pursuing Excellence, As We Embrace Our Legacy"
Honoree: Coach Joe Gilliam
Grand Marshal: Ms. Edith McGuire-Duvall

2008
Theme: "Education: The Vehicle to Success"
Honoree: Ms. Marian S. Torrence
Grand Marshal: Mr. Kevin W. Williams

2009
Theme: "Recharging the Blue for a Brighter TSU"
Grand Marshal: Dr. Thomas Gaiter (M.D.)
Honoree: Mr. Homer Wheaton

2010
Theme: "Deeply Rooted in the Year of the Tiger"
Grand Marshal: Dr. Edith Peterson Mitchell (M.D.)
Honoree: Mrs. Carrie Gentry

2011
Theme: "Celebrating 99 Years of Academic Excellence and Achievement"
Co-Grand Marshals: Mr. Richard Dent and Mrs. Barbara Murrell
Honoree: Dr. Charles Fancher

webpage contact:
Alumni