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Alumni

About the Grand Marshals

The Homecoming Executive Committee selects a Grand Marshal and an Honorary Grand Marshal to represent Penn State Homecoming and the surrounding community each year. The Grand Marshal is a Penn State affiliate who made significant contributions to the university during their time here, has achieved notable success in their field or career, and continues to embody the values of Penn State Homecoming. The Honorary Grand Marshal, also a Penn State affiliate, has made a positive impact on the State College area and is admired as a leader within the campus and community. Together, they symbolize leadership, dedication, and the spirit of Penn State.

Meet the Grand Marshal

Homecoming 2025

Grand Marshals

Jess Kelly

Jess Kelly (formerly Jess Burns) (’09 – Double Major – HRIM & Public Relations), likes to say she graduated with a minor in fitness, thanks to the experience she gained taking ITP and becoming a campus rec fitness instructor. Jess was involved with THON and Penn State Club Swim during her four years at University Park, and through her involvement with THON, met her now-husband, Kevin Kelly. Since graduation, Jess has built her dream career in the fitness industry and currently serves as Studio Leader at Life Time Fort Washington and a triathlon coach at Sonic Endurance. Every job that led her here has had a Penn State Alumni Network connection, and those connections will continue to help her and her family thrive as proud Penn Staters.

Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelley (’09 – Health and Human Development, Kinesiology) was a four-year letterman for the Penn State Football Program under Joe Paterno. After earning his degree and a certificate in Health and Physical Education, he began his career teaching middle school before transitioning into the sporting goods industry. For the past 12 years, Kevin has worked in various sales-facing roles at Adidas, currently serving as a Footwear Key Account Manager. Alongside his career at Adidas, he coaches group fitness classes at Lifetime Athletic Clubs and coaches his son Jack’s soccer and baseball teams. Throughout his professional journey, the Penn State community has remained a constant source of support, providing him with lifelong friendships and mentors. 

Honorary Grand Marshal

Terry Smith

Terry Smith enters his 13th season on the Penn State football staff in 2026, serving as associate head coach and cornerbacks coach. A western Pennsylvania native and former Nittany Lion wide receiver, Smith has spent nearly his entire collegiate on-field coaching tenure at his alma mater since arriving in 2014.

Smith served as Penn State’s interim head coach in 2025, taking over a 3-6 team and winning four- straight to finish 7-6, a run capped by a 22-10 victory over Clemson in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.

His cornerback room has been a consistent NFL pipeline. Joey Porter Jr. became the highest-drafted defensive back in program history when Pittsburgh took him 32nd overall in 2023, and Smith has coached All-Big Ten honorees in nearly every season since 2015, including Kalen King, Amani Oruwariye and A.J. Harris. He is also among the Big Ten’s most productive recruiters, ranked fourth in the conference by 247Sports in 2023, helping Penn State secure 12 consecutive top-25 classes.

Alumni Court

The Penn State Homecoming Alumni Court is a group of individuals who continue the legacy and traditions of Penn State post-grad. The selected court members will be honored throughout the week of Homecoming.  If you have any questions please feel free to email Alumni Relations Director at alumni.relations@homecoming.psu.edu. We Are!

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Past Marshals

GM: Martha King

HGM: Dr. Stephanie Preston

GM: Tanisha Wright

HGM: Gregory Drane

GM: David Taylor

HGM: Molly and Eric Barron

GM: John Colaneri

HGM: Brian Patchcoski

Alumni Panel featuring past Grand Marshals and Honorary Grand Marshals

GM: Farnoosh Torabi

HGM: Paul and Martha Sharkey

GM: Lisa Salters

HGM: Troy Alesi

GM: John Urschel

HGM: Scott Shirley

GM: Joel Myers

HGM: Raquel Ross

GM: Keegan-Michael Key

HGM: Ian Rosenberger

GM: Lara Spencer

HGM: Michael Paul

GM: John Amaechi

HGM: Anne Ard

GM: Terry and Kim Pegula

HGM: Mimi Barash Coppersmith

GM: Adam Taliaferro

HGM: Coquese Washington

GM: Allison Baver

HGM: Jeff Fisher

GM: Valeroe Plame Wilson

HGM: Rick Bryant

GM: Horance Ashenfelter

HGM: No Record

GM: Franco Harris

HGM: No Record

GM: Guion Bluford

HGM: No Record

GM: Anne Riley

HGM: No Record

GM: Sue Paterno

HGM: Stuart Spisak

GM: Grace Holderman

HGM: Norm Brown

GM: William Babcook

HGM: No Record

GM: Jim Pawelczyk

HGM: Ross Lehman

GM: No Record

HGM: Edwward Hintz

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Court Relations

Events Captains (2)

The Events Captain is responsible for planning events in celebration of the selection of the 2026 Homecoming Court. This includes Court Reception, Court Workshop, and Court Crashes. They also communicate with the Alumni Association and Staff at the Hintz Center to prepare for these events. This captain will lead initiatives and conversations throughout the year to bring up common Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues, and is responsible for taking meeting minutes and fostering morale and bonding within the committee.

Student Court Captains (1-2)

The Student Court Captain(s) coordinates all efforts involving the Homecoming 2026 Student Court. This includes communicating with the past court and involving them in Spring events for Homecoming. These Captains are also responsible for the nomination, application, voting, and selection of the Student Court for Homecoming 2026. This also involves assisting in the coordination of the Faculty Panel and ensuring the appearance of the Homecoming Student Court at events throughout Homecoming Week.

University Court Captain (1)

The University Court Captain is involved in the coordination of all things surrounding the University Court of Homecoming 2026. This includes the nomination and selection of the Court as well as the appearance of the Court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This captain will also work with the Graduate Court Captain to select a Student Panel.

Graduate and Professional School Court Captain (1)

The Graduate and Professional School Court Captain is in charge of the coordination of all things surrounding the Graduate Court for Homecoming 2026. This includes the nomination and selection of the Court as well as the appearance of the court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This will include outreach efforts to different graduate organizations to make them aware of nominations. This captain will also work with the University Court Captain to select a Student Panel.