The following text is taken directly from a press release released today by the City of Greenville:
Greenville, S.C. –The City of Greenville has chosen two new university presidents to serve as this year’s grand marshals for the annual Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade. Dr. Elizabeth Davis, president of Furman University, and Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University, will receive a grand welcome to Greenville as they lead over 80 parade units in the event that is scheduled for December 6 at 6 p.m. on Main Street from Augusta Street to North Street.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome new Presidents Davis and Pettit to Greenville alongside the thousands of people who will attend this year’s parade,” said Mayor Knox White. “Connecting higher education to downtown has always been a priority for Greenville and continues to play an essential role in the city’s growth and success. These two organizations are valuable community partners, and we look forward to continuing to working with them to further enhance the quality of life of our community.”
Elizabeth Davis, Ph.D., became Furman University’s 12th President on July 1, 2014. Dr. Davis previously served as Executive Vice President and Provost of Baylor University in Texas, where she oversaw the university’s 11 schools and colleges as well as more than a dozen research centers and institutes.
Steve Pettit became the fifth president of Bob Jones University in May of 2014. An alumnus of BJU, Pettit previously served on the Board of Trustees. He earned a BS in business administration from The Citadel in 1978 and a MA in pastoral studies from BJU Seminary in 1980.
The one-mile parade route will stretch from North Street to Augusta Street on Main Street and feature musical marching groups, elaborately decorated floats and, of course, Santa Claus. The parade is free to the public, and spectators will find ample places to view the parade, with prime seating located from the Main Street Bridge south toward Falls Park.
The parade will be featured the following week on youtube.com/GTVchannel15. For more information about the parade, visit events.greenvillesc.gov.
