Photo courtesy of Ernest Green.
The 2018 homecoming grand marshal has been chosen. Coupled with a theme for "celebrating unwavering courage," civil rights activist Ernest Green was selected to be the grand marshal.
Green helped integrate Central Rock High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. He was then awarded an anonymous scholarship to come to MSU when he graduated in 1958. Down the line, it was found then-MSU President John Hannah sponsored the scholarship.
Green went on to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from MSU, where The Ernest G. and Phyllis C. Green MSU Black Alumni Scholarship was later set up in Green and his wife's names. According to a press release, the scholarship "benefits talented students who will enhance program diversity and reinforce the record of commitment by the College of Social Science for educating students who are representative of our larger society."
Green was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by former president Bill Clinton in 1999, as were the rest of the Little Rock Nine.
The homecoming parade is set to take place on Oct. 5 in East Lansing. For the homecoming football game, the Spartans will take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Oct. 6 at Spartan Stadium.
In 2017, MSU alumnus Tyler Oakley was the homecoming grand marshal.
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