Astronaut Alumnus Named Grand Marshal of University of Alabama’s Homecoming Parade

A University of Alabama alumnus who has spent almost six months in space as an astronaut for NASA will lead his alma mater's homecoming parade this weekend, the school's alumni association announced on Monday.

In a press release, the Association said Bob Hines will serve as the grand marshal for the 2025 Homecoming Parade. Hines is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and an astronaut who has spent 170 days in space.

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Hines graduated from UA Online's aerospace engineering master's program in 2010, and the National Alumni Association said "he embodies the spirit of exploration, excellence, and discovery that defines The University of Alabama."

As a mission specialist on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station, he became the second UA alumnus aboard a spaceflight, a few decades after James Kelley became the first in 2001.

In his two expeditions to the ISS, Hines spent more than five full months in space.

Hines was picked by NASA for their Astronaut Candidate Class after 21 years in the Air Force as an instructor, test pilot, and fighter pilot who spent more than 3,500 hours flying missions, according to info provided by the Alumni Association.

"As Homecoming grand marshal, Hines will serve as the honorary leader of the parade and a distinguished guest of the National Alumni Association during the weekend’s festivities," their press release said. "The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, in downtown Tuscaloosa and will proceed through campus ahead of the Crimson Tide’s football game against Oklahoma."

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