Grand Marshal
The Grand Marshal (GM) is the highest elected student position at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a tradition that has endured for over 160 years. The position was created to honor a student respected and admired by their classmates, and the Grand Marshal serves as the presiding officer of the Student Senate and chief spokesperson for the entire student body.
Role and Responsibilities
According to Article V, Section II of the Rensselaer Union Constitution, the Grand Marshal:
Serves as the presiding officer of the Student Senate
Acts as an ex officio member of all committees
Functions as the leader and chief spokesperson for the entire Rensselaer Union
Is normally a nonvoting member of the Student Senate, but may cast a tie-breaking vote
Appoints student representatives (subject to Senate approval)
Serves on Institute committees as representative of the student body
Meets with the President and Board of Trustees to represent student interests
The ideal candidate was expected to "learn the complex nature of the undergraduate Institute life of which he is to be the exponent," according to the 1897 Transit (The Transit).
History and Origins
Establishment (1865-1866)
The position of Grand Marshal was established in 1865 following the American Civil War, during a period of transition for the Institute. The first Grand Marshal, Major Albert Metcalf Harper (Class of 1867), was elected and presented with a ceremonial sword.
Albert Harper, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had enrolled at Rensselaer in 1860 at age 19. Two years later, he left school to enlist in the Army, joining the 139th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He fought in major battles including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, and was severely wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. After his recovery, he served on staff positions and was even appointed to the honor guard for President Lincoln's funeral procession in Philadelphia.
After being honorably discharged on June 27, 1865. He immediately returned to Rensselaer to complete his education, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1867. Harper died of typhoid fever in 1871 at the age of 28. The 181st Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was later named in his honor.
According to historical records, Harper's election may have involved some political scandal. The position was originally conceived as a consolation prize for a class president whom students wanted to oust. However, Delta Phi fraternity brothers showed up en masse to vote for Harper, securing his victory and cementing his place as the first Grand Marshal in RPI history.
An October 14, 1865 document set out the Grand Marshal's duties: "Resolved, that the Grand Marshal be the highest officer of the Institute. It shall be his duty to call and preside over all meetings of the Institute, and have charge of all processions and parades."
The 1890-1894 Gap
One of the most intriguing eras of GM history is an unexplained gap from 1890 to 1893 when no GMs were elected. During this period, the R.P.I. Union (student organization) was formed in 1890 with a president (President of the Union ), vice president, and secretary/treasurer elected on November 8, 1890. The president of the Union was viewed as the new student leader, making the Grand Marshal position seem unnecessary.
According to The Polytechnic, there were vague references to "abuses" of the office, lackluster candidates, and corrupt elections that contributed to the suspension. The Union elections were held during the fall semester of 1891, 1892, and 1893, but the new organization lacked something essential.
In the November 24, 1894 edition of The Polytechnic, a proposal appeared to resurrect the Grand Marshal position to "inculcate life and spirit into the social intercourse of this institution." An election was held in December 1894, and Athol Morton Miller, the former president of the Union, was elected Grand Marshal. A new Union constitution established qualifications requiring the Grand Marshal to be a Junior in good academic standing who had been a student at Rensselaer for at least three full fall or spring terms. Elections were moved to the spring semester again in 1896, and Grand Marshal Night traditions were renewed.
Modern Era Developments
From 1866 to 1970, the Rensselaer Union constitution stipulated that students who had once occupied the office of Grand Marshal or President of the Union were ineligible for re-election to either office. This restriction was removed in 1972, making it theoretically possible for an incumbent to serve a second term.
In 2010, for the first time in 145 years of Grand Marshal history, there was the possibility that an incumbent could serve a second term. Peter Baldwin became the first student re-elected to the position of President of the Union in 2005.
There have been two instances where two Grand Marshals served during the same academic year due to resignations. In 1885, James Larrowe never performed any duties as GM after being elected in late May, as he did not return to Rensselaer in the fall due to financial circumstances. In 1982, Peter Traversy had to withdraw from Rensselaer for the spring semester due to academic reasons and therefore had to resign as GM.
Symbols and Traditions
The Top Hat
The top hat has been the most recognizable symbol of the Grand Marshal position since at least 1876. It is prominently featured during official functions, and featured on various flyers, promotional materials and memorabilia for Student Government.
The Grand Marshal Pin
In the 1880s, Grand Marshals received an ornate gold and enamel bar pin. An 1883 Grand Marshal Committee financial report shows that two GM pins were ordered at a cost of $10.00 each, pretty expensive for the time. The pins featured "R.P.I." followed by "GM" and the year, and were engraved on the back with the GM’s name.
William A. Aycrigg, Grand Marshal in 1884, wore his GM pin alongside his Chi Phi fraternity pin, as shown in a photograph from a student scrapbook. The shape of the pin matches an engraving that appeared on Grand Marshal pages in The Transit yearbook as early as 1874, indicating it was a symbol of the office for many years.
The Ceremonial Cane
Outgoing Grand Marshals were traditionally presented with a gold-headed cane as a gift for their service. This tradition dates back to at least 1876 and continued into the early 20th century. Canes or walking sticks were fashion accessories popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and served as college status symbols.
The cane tradition was part of broader campus culture where freshmen had to earn the right to carry canes through contests with sophomores. Canes were also carved with names of winning classes from the annual cane rush and stored at fraternity houses.
The Ceremonial Baton
According to an 1876 Troy Times clipping, there was a baton inscribed with the names of past Grand Marshals that was retired to the library after the 12th GM. Unfortunately, this artifact's current location is unknown.
Grand Marshal Week
Grand Marshal Week has been a significant campus tradition since the 19th century. The week features campaigning, debates, and various student activities leading up to the election.
Historical Traditions
In the 1870s, Grand Marshal Week festivities included:
A parade led by the new Grand Marshal through the streets of Troy
"Serenading" professors at their homes
Social gatherings and parties downtown
Presentation of symbols of office (top hat, cane, pin)
The 1876 election saw Coddington Billings elected Grand Marshal, with fraternity support playing a significant role in the outcome—a pattern that would continue throughout the position's history.
Modern Grand Marshal Week
Grand Marshal Week has evolved to include various campus-wide events, free food events, and extensive campaigning. The election remains the centerpiece of student governance at RPI, with the week serving as a celebration of student democracy and school spirit.
Notable Elections
Throughout its history, the Grand Marshal election has been marked by both tradition and controversy. Former Grand Marshal Mike Stull (1975-1976) noted that "anyone who wanted to serve twice does not have sufficient grey matter to be considered for the job," emphasizing the demanding nature of the position.
Fraternity support has historically influenced election outcomes, and "perfectly run elections with absolutely no violations or scandals are rare," according to Institute Archives research.
The 2010 election was noted as one of the most postponed and lengthy, with two re-votes for Grand Marshal.