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. 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 Origins

By 1883, GM election traditions included a "Grand Marshal's election night." On May 26, 1883, William A. Aycrigg was elected as GM in Harmony Hall in downtown Troy, and the retiring Grand Marshal was presented with a gold-headed cane. The students celebrated the election of the new GM by filling the streets of Troy and parading through the city. It was this night that they stopped at Boughton's hat store, Aycrigg was given a high silk hat, which has been passed down and worn by all GMs since.

GM Week Today

Today, the GM Week committee, which serves under the Union Programming and Activities Committee plans the elections, events, and activities of the week. Events are hosted every day of the week by organizations and fraternities on campus, including concerts, volleyball tournaments, and an egg-drop competition. 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. At the end of the week, the final induction ceremony is held, where the former PU and GM exchange their top hats to the newly elected PU and GM.