Grand Marshal (GM) Week

Introduction

The Grand Marshal, or GM, is the highest-elected student leader of the student government at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The position of Grand Marshal was created in 1866, the first appointed GM was Major Albert Metcalf Harper of Delta Phi. The first GM elected was Independence Grove of Chi Phi in 1882. Since 1866, there have been 156 GMs, with GM Cait Bennett being the only RPI student to ever serve two terms in the position. There were no Grand Marshals elected from 1890-1893 due to the formation of the RPI Union in 1890. This new structure accounted for a president (PU), vice president, and secretary/treasurer, and the President of the Union (PU) was viewed as the new student leader. The grand marshal was deemed an unnecessary ceremonial figure. The position of GM was resurrected in 1894 out of the student body's desire to "enhance the social life of students," and the position was held by former PU Athol Morton Miller.

GM Week Today

On the Wednesday of GM Week, there are no classes so that students may go vote. Every student is eligible to vote for Grand Marshal, President of the Union, and Undergraduate President. Depending on the class year, students will also vote for their class council: president, vice president, senators, and representatives. By voting in elections, students receive a complimentary mug to commemorate the theme of that year's GM Week.