UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus students, alumni, staff and faculty can participate in a variety of events during Penn State’s 2024 Homecoming celebration during the week of Sept. 22-28. 

The World Campus student-run homecoming committee is organizing in-person events at the University Park campus and virtual events so that World Campus community members will be able to participate from wherever they may be. The committee is supported by Penn State World Campus Student Affairs. 

Julie Fitzgerald, Penn State World Campus co-curricular program coordinator and adviser to the homecoming committee, said it is a great opportunity for Penn State World Campus students to participate in a Penn State tradition.

“I am so proud of the hard work the students have put into creating events and offerings that connect World Campus students with a sense of pride, tradition and belonging as Penn Staters,” Fitzgerald said. “The committee's energy and enthusiasm are contagious and have helped the World Campus Homecoming celebration get bigger and better each year. It’s also been amazing to see more alumni return each year and continue to build upon the tradition.”

The events culminate with the Nittany Lions’ homecoming football game on Sept. 28 against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. 

The 2024 Homecoming Court will be recognized during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Outreach Building on the University Park campus. This year’s court includes six undergraduate and graduate students, an alumna, a professor and two staff members. The ceremony will also be streamed online, and registration is available through the Penn State World Campus Student Center.  

Members of the World Campus court will also participate in the homecoming parade that starts at 6 p.m. Friday in State College. The parade will also be streamed online.  

Here is the World Campus homecoming committee’s schedule of events: 

• Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. — Student, Faculty, Alumni Mixer (virtual) 

• Tuesday, Sept.  24, 7 p.m. — Paint Night (virtual) 

• Wednesday, Sept.  25, 7 p.m. — Movie Trivia Night (virtual) 

• Thursday, Sept.  26, 6 p.m. — Meet and Greet with the Homecoming Directors (In-person Brothers Bar & Grill, 134 S. Allen St., State College) 

• Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. — Court Recognition Ceremony (In-person at Outreach Building at University Park campus and virtual option) 

• Friday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m. — Alumni Association Ice Cream Social (In-person, Hintz Alumni Center at University Park) 

• Friday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m. — Homecoming Parade (In-person at University Park campus and virtual options) 

• Saturday, Sept.  28, Three hours before kickoff — World Campus Student Government Association presents World Campus Homecoming Tailgate (In-person at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, registration required)
• Saturday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. — Homecoming football game against the University of Illinois (Game broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock)

The World Campus homecoming committee is one of the clubs and organizations that Penn State students can join to become a part of the World Campus community. The annual Penn State homecoming celebration is one of the major University events that World Campus students participate in each year. 

Learn more about getting involved in clubs and organizations like the homecoming committee through the Penn State World Campus Student Center.