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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 Marshals

Homecoming 2024

Grand Marshal

Martha King

Pennsylvania native Martha King is a three-time National Champion and multi-title World Champion Lumberjill. Following in her father’s footsteps, she picked up her first racing axe at The Pennsylvania State University and instantly felt she had found her niche. Martha’s competitive nature drives her to perfect her craft in a traditionally male dominated sport. Since she began her Timbersports journey, Martha has set several national and world records in both sawing and chopping disciplines. With her platform, Martha strives to inspire others to realize they don’t have to fit the mold in order to dominate an industry. 

Honorary Grand Marshal

Dr. Stephanie Preston

Dr. Stephanie Danette Preston is the Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity and Chief Diversity Officer for Graduate Education at The Pennsylvania State University.  She spearheads the Graduate School’s efforts to increase diversity within the graduate student community and to provide an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming climate for both prospective and current graduate students.  Preston also serves as the administrative PI for the University Center of Exemplary Mentoring grant through the Sloan Foundation.  
 
Formerly Senior Director of the Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs (OGEEP), Preston represented Penn State as a participant in programs such as the National Science Foundation’s Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate which was designed to broaden participation in science technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. As Senior Director her responsibilities also included leading the Big Ten Academic Alliance Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. She has also served as Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs and most recently served as the Interim Senior Director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.  Prior to her role in the Graduate School, Dr. Preston also served as Assistant Director and Interim Director of the PRCC where she led the PRCC liaison group and was responsible for developing and implementing programs around identity development, academic success, and cultural education.
 
Dr. Preston currently serves on the advisory boards of 2030STEM and Landscape U.  She is a known practitioner in her field and was recognized by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) as their 2017 Faculty Mentor of the Year award recipient and received an honorable mention for a second nomination for the award in 2022.  Preston was also a National Science Foundation (NSF) Math-Science Postdoctoral Scholar and has worked as a consultant for the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and Rankin & Associates Consulting, LLC.  She completed her Ph.D. at Penn State in curriculum & instruction in science education. Her graduate research focused on the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities and women in STEM fields. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology and her master’s degree in curriculum & instruction (science education) at Xavier University of Louisiana.  
 
A proud New Orleans native, Dr. Preston enjoys traveling and spending time with family.  She is a Past President of the Forum on Black Affairs (FOBA) and is a Diamond Life-Paid in Full Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

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: 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, ICL/Head of DEI (2)

The Events Captains are responsible for planning events in celebration of the selection of the 2023 Homecoming Court. This includes the Court Reception, Court Workshop, and Court Crash. They also communicate with the Alumni Association and Staff at the Hintz Center to prepare for these events. One of theses captains will also act as the Court Relations Committee’s Head of DEI/Events Captain. This Captain will lead initiatives and conversations throughout the year to bring up common Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues. The other Events captain will double as the Court Relations Inter-Committee Liaison. The ICL/Events Captain is responsible for taking meeting minutes and fostering morale and bonding within the committee. Both of these captains, while having separate specializations, will collaborate during the planning of Court Relation’s events!

Student Court Captains (1-2)

These captains will work together to coordinate all efforts involving the Student Court. This includes communicating with the past court and involving them in Spring events for Homecoming. It also entails the nomination, application, voting, and selection of the Student Court for Homecoming 2022. This also involves assisting in the coordination of the Faculty Panel and ensuring the appearance of the Homecoming 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. This includes the nomination and selection of 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 Court captain is in charge of the coordination of all things surrounding the Graduate Court. This includes the nomination and selection of 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.