A&T Announces Grand Marshal, Honorary Grand Marshals for Homecoming Parade

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced a trio of accomplished alumni will serve as grand marshal and honorary grand marshals for the 2025 Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The parade will be among the highlights of the 99^th edition of N.C. A&T’s Greatest Homecoming on Earth, a week full of events that kicks off Sunday, Oct. 5, and concludes Sunday, Oct. 12.

Sybil Lynch ’85, ’18, known worldwide simply as Sybil, is a powerhouse vocalist and former Miss A&T (1984-85) who will serve as the parade’s grand marshal. A Paterson, New Jersey, native, she rose to international fame in the 1980s and 1990s with R&B and pop hits like “Falling in Love,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk On By,” “The Love I Lost” and “When I’m Good and Ready,” earning multiple U.S .and United Kingdom Top 10s and collaborating with icons such as Salt-N-Pepa on “Independent,” Frankie Knuckles, Ultra Naté and DJ Spen. Her global tours have taken her across the UK, Europe, South Africa and the Philippines to name a few. She was featured on Knuckles’ Grammy-winning Beyond the Tone Arm. She now serves as a college advancement officer at Guilford Technical Community College, continuing to inspire through both education and music. She supports social causes through United Way’s #EndPoverty initiative, Communities In Schools, among others, and remains active in the music scene, recently releasing “Cheers” with Trarius. In August 2025, her hometown honored her legacy by renaming a street Sybil Lynch Way.

Honorary Grand Marshals of the parade will be Beatrice Bailey Hill and William A. Lawson Sr.

Hill ‘48, ‘73, of Lillington, North Carolina, made history as Harnett County North Carolina’s first African American county commissioner and the first woman to serve on the Board of County Commissioners. She was first elected in 1990 and dedicated 24 years of service to her community, holding six consecutive terms and serving as vice chair and interim chair. A retired educator and former social worker, she championed projects that transformed Harnett County, including the creation of the governmental complex, Brightwater Science and Technology Campus, new schools and parks. She was a tireless advocate for senior citizens, equal employment opportunities and affordable housing. She taught social studies and English for more than 20 years and was the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Campbell University’s School of Education.

Lawson ‘46, of Kinston, North Carolina pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. while at A&T. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Columbia University and dedicated his career to education, serving as assistant principal at Adkin High School and principal of Dobbs School. An Army veteran, civic leader and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, he was also widely known across Eastern North Carolina for his photography. Married to the late Bonnie Donald Lawson for 64 years, his legacy continues through his family and his lifelong commitment to service, education and community. His son, William Anthony Lawson Jr. ’77, and grandson, William Anthony Lawson III ’05, are also proud Aggies.

The parade, which will be livestreamed, begins at 8 a.m. at Lindsay and Morrow streets, moving toward campus along Lindsay Street. It will then turn right onto Laurel Street, where it will come to an end.