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Hopkins named grand marshal of 2026 Homecoming parade
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign alumnus and retired astronaut Mike Hopkins will return to campus as grand marshal of the 2026 Homecoming parade. The U.S. Space Force colonel’s aerospace engine
By Maeve Reilly · 2026-09-15T09:05:06.809Z
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign alumnus and retired astronaut Mike Hopkins will return to campus as grand marshal of the 2026 Homecoming parade. The U.S. Space Force colonel’s aerospace engineering background and spaceflight career bring a notable connection to the university’s traditions. Readers can learn about Hopkins’ ties to Illinois and the event honoring his achievements.
Read the full article here https://news.illinois.edu/hopkins named grand marshal of 2026 homecoming parade/