Leading up to the homecoming parade and football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, The University of Toledo Alumni Association will recognize distinguished graduates at the Homecoming Alumni Gala at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

In addition to honoring alumni from UToledo’s colleges, each year three alumni are selected for the Alumni Association’s most prestigious honors: The Gold T, Daniel Saevig Blue T and Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum awards.

Gold T Award

The Gold T award is presented to a University of Toledo graduate in recognition of outstanding achievement in his or her field of endeavor while providing leadership and noteworthy service to the community.

The 2021 Gold T award will be presented to Shannetta Griffin, a 1985 graduate of UToledo who has close to 40 years of experience as a professional engineer and a small business advocate within the private and public sectors of the transportation industry, with an emphasis on aviation. She was appointed associate administrator of airports for the Federal Aviation Administration in June 2021.

Daniel J. Saevig Blue T Award

The Daniel J. Saevig Blue T award is presented to a University of Toledo Alumni Association member and UToledo graduate who has made outstanding contributions to the progress and development of the Alumni Association and the University.

Laurie Adams, a 1986 UToledo graduate, received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and has become a recognized leader in traffic and safety across Ohio and in southeast Michigan. Adams works with communities to develop safety initiatives, access management regulations and Safe Routes to School plans. She continues to serve as a Rocket on several boards and committees at her alma mater. In 2015, she was named the Civil Engineering Outstanding Alumna.

Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum Award

The Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alum award is presented to a University graduate who is 40 years of age or younger in recognition of outstanding achievement in their career while providing leadership and noteworthy service to the Alumni Association, University or community. This award is named in memory of Ed Schmidt, a 1942 alumnus and a longtime supporter of The University of Toledo and its Alumni Association.

Danielle Lutman, who received her bachelor’s degree in 2015 and her master’s degree in 2017 from UToledo, has served as a trailblazer for LGBTQA+ initiatives, equity and inclusion on the University’s campuses. She worked to establish gender-neutral housing and bathrooms on campus and was part of the planning committee for Take Back the Night Toledo, a local grassroots event to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence.

Homecoming Parade and Football Game

The Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade sponsored by Blue Key National Honor Society is 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. This year’s theme, Rockets Flashback, is part of the University’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration. The route will begin at West Bancroft Street and Campus Road and go east to Cheltenham Road to Christie Street to Middlesex Drive and back to West Bancroft Street.

The Toledo Rockets vs. Central Michigan University Chippewas football game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. in the Glass Bowl. Homecoming Parade float winners will be announced at the game, and there will be an iconic halftime performance from the Rocket Marching Band.