World Campus

Scenes from 2026 World Campus Homecoming

The World Campus Homecoming Court, committee, and their loved ones rode on floats in the annual Penn State Homecoming Parade through downtown State College. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus students, alumni, staff, and faculty celebrated Penn State's 2026 Homecoming during the week of Sept. 21–26.

The World Campus student-run Homecoming committee organized a full schedule of virtual and in-person events at the University Park campus. The court was recognized during a ceremony on Sept. 25. During the ceremony, two undergraduate students received the "For the Glory" award, which recognizes a court member for going above and beyond in their passion for academics, student involvement, leadership, service, and embodiment of the Penn State values.

Wendy Jo Strickler was recognized for her work in making Penn State World Campus a place where others feel seen and supported. Nominators said she has contributed across many student organizations and is a strong advocate for student voices.

Taisha Butler was recognized for her resilience and persistence to shine as she balances academics, full-time work, and raising her young son, while making time to serve in the community. Nominators said she is a compassionate leader who follows through on her commitments and stands up for what she believes is right.

The Penn State World Campus Homecoming court, committee, and supporters participated in the University's annual Homecoming Parade on Sept. 25. The organizers set up a laptop on the float and streamed the parade on Zoom.

The 2026 court members are:

  • Barry Back (undergraduate)
  • Sheri Bailey (undergraduate)
  • Deja Bruton (undergraduate)
  • Taisha Butler (undergraduate)
  • Braden Fleagle (undergraduate)
  • Jeremy Griffith (undergraduate)
  • Alec Hanna (undergraduate)
  • Emilee Ann Lasoski (undergraduate)
  • Morgan Lerch (undergraduate)
  • Wendy Jo Strickler (undergraduate)
  • Miranda Morrison (graduate)
  • Jack Nolen (graduate)
  • Brittany Ondish (graduate)
  • Joseph Robinson (graduate)
  • Dane Sorensen (graduate)
  • Michelle Buzzelli (alumni)
  • Mark Poblete (alumni)
  • Laura Brown (staff)
  • Jenn Gurwitz (staff)
  • Marcia Kimler (staff)

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.

Check out these photos from Homecoming weekend.

Members of the homecoming committee and court participated in events throughout the week, including the Penn State World Campus 40K celebration. Credit: Penn State World Campus Student Affairs / Penn State. Creative Commons

Members of the 2026 Penn State World Campus Homecoming Court and committee leaders attended the ceremony at Penn State University Park. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Ziva Gurwitz shows off her Penn State spirit at the Homecoming ceremony. Her mother, Jenn Gurwitz, was recognized on the Homecoming court. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Homecoming court members received Penn State World Campus apparel to wear during the parade. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Undergraduate students Taisha Butler and Wendy Jo Strickler were recognized for going above and beyond in their passion for academics, student involvement, leadership, service, and embodiment of the Penn State values. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

The Penn State World Campus Student Government Association hosted a pregame tailgate on Saturday. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

Jenn Gurwitz hugs student and Homecoming Committee leader Lisa Berfield during the recognition ceremony. Gurwitz, who is a student disability specialist for Penn State World Campus, was a staff representative on the court. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State World Campus community members attended the Nittany Lions' home football game against Wisconsin. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

The World Campus Homecoming Court, committee, and their loved ones rode on floats in the annual Penn State Homecoming Parade through downtown State College. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

Wendy Jo Strickler and Taisha Butler received the "For the Glory" award. Strickler is pursuing a dual degree in psychology and criminal justice. Butler is earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Undergraduate student Jeremy Griffith speaks during the Homecoming Court Recognition Ceremony. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

The court members received sashes and flowers. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Members of the homecoming committee and court participated in events throughout the week, including the Penn State World Campus 40K celebration. Credit: Penn State World Campus Student Affairs / Penn State. Creative Commons

Members of the 2026 Penn State World Campus Homecoming Court and committee leaders attended the ceremony at Penn State University Park. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Ziva Gurwitz shows off her Penn State spirit at the Homecoming ceremony. Her mother, Jenn Gurwitz, was recognized on the Homecoming court. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Homecoming court members received Penn State World Campus apparel to wear during the parade. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Undergraduate students Taisha Butler and Wendy Jo Strickler were recognized for going above and beyond in their passion for academics, student involvement, leadership, service, and embodiment of the Penn State values. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

The Penn State World Campus Student Government Association hosted a pregame tailgate on Saturday. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

Jenn Gurwitz hugs student and Homecoming Committee leader Lisa Berfield during the recognition ceremony. Gurwitz, who is a student disability specialist for Penn State World Campus, was a staff representative on the court. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Penn State World Campus community members attended the Nittany Lions' home football game against Wisconsin. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

The World Campus Homecoming Court, committee, and their loved ones rode on floats in the annual Penn State Homecoming Parade through downtown State College. Credit: Courtesy photo. All Rights Reserved.

Wendy Jo Strickler and Taisha Butler received the "For the Glory" award. Strickler is pursuing a dual degree in psychology and criminal justice. Butler is earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

Undergraduate student Jeremy Griffith speaks during the Homecoming Court Recognition Ceremony. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

The court members received sashes and flowers. Credit: Hannah Pollock / Penn State. Creative Commons

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