Alumni

Honorary Grand Marshal

Gregory Drane, originally from Miami, Florida, holds bachelor’s degrees in music education and music performance from Bethune-Cookman University. He earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Penn State. Dr. Drane currently serves as the director of the Marching Blue Band and Athletic Bands at Penn State. In this role, he oversees various aspects, including the Pride of the Lions pep bands for basketball, volleyball, and hockey. He is also involved in marching band design and instruction, conducts the Symphonic Band, and teaches music courses for non-majors. Dr. Drane’s research interests focus on Black American contributions to music education, leadership in the music classroom, and historical music ensembles, with his dissertation titled “The Navy Band B-1: The First All-Black Navy Band of World War II.”

Grand Marshal

Tanisha Wright became a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Penn State and was named a First-Team USBWA All-American. She ranks fourth in school history for most points scored, scoring 1995 points over her 134 games with the Nittany Lions. Wright spent 10 years with the Storm, where she helped lead the team to nine straight playoff appearances and a WNBA Championship in 2010. In the WNBA, Wright played with the New York Liberty (2015-2016) and Minnesota Lynx (2018) and rejoined the Liberty in 2019 before announcing her retirement. Wright is entering her third season as head coach of the Atlanta Dream, boasting over 14 years of WNBA experience. In her first season, she led the team to 14 wins, a record for the best start to a coaching career in Dream history. Wright aims to foster player growth and integrity within the Dream while advocating combating housing insecurity, financial and economic empowerment, and bolstering causes that support binuclear family relations, guardianship, and extended caregivers.

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 Kerry Quinn at alumnihomecoming@psu.edu. We Are!

A Message from Kerry Quinn:

This year, I have had the honor to be selected as a Penn State Homecoming 2023 Alumni Relations Director. Specifically, as an Alumni Relations Director, it is my responsibility to oversee the application and nomination process for the Alumni Court. The Alumni Court for Penn State Homecoming consists of 4 distinguished alumni who continue the legacy and tradition while holding Penn State’s six core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Discovery, Community, and Excellence. I believe the members of the Alumni Court are always looking to support the Penn State Community, wherever one may be, to help students and alumni make a difference and help make Penn State feel like home to all visitors. They continue to have pride in their Alma Mater and help spread pride to all members of the community they may interact with. We Are!

Alumni Events

Tailgate Competition

Leading up to the kickoff of the Homecoming football game, students and alumni have the opportunity to compete in a tailgate competition like no other. Tailgates will be assessed based on their creativity, pride, food, atmosphere, and quality by multiple judges.

Ice Cream Social

The Homecoming Ice Cream Social welcomes alumni back home for the weekend before the Homecoming Parade. Enjoy Berkey Creamery ice cream while enjoying performances by students and the Alumni Blue Band.

Alumni Parade Registration

Alumni Chapters, Alumni Interest Groups, and Alumni Societies are welcome to register for 2023 Homecoming Parade soon.