Campus Life

Passion, practice drive preparation for Homecoming webcast

The Penn State Homecoming parade features larger-than-life balloons, marching groups with alumni and students, the Blue Band and much more. A student-driven webcast (available at http://wpsu.org/event) will share the color and excitement with Penn Staters all over the world. Credit: Cameron Hart / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For a dedicated group of College of Communications students the chance to get hands-on experience and to share the color and excitement of the Penn State Homecoming parade with alumni and friends all over the world provides an incredible opportunity.

The students have been preparing to produce the Homecoming webcast throughout the semester, and when the parade steps off at 6 p.m. Oct. 7, the team of students will be there to follow the action. In fact, they’ll be ready well ahead of time.

Preparation for the webcast included cooperation and collaboration with Homecoming organizers and several units at Penn State, notably WPSU-TV and staff from Information Technology Services, to help make the event a reality.

There was also abundant practice time, which the students embraced.

“Our students always do a good job, and this is a determined group,” said Maria Cabrera-Baukus, who teaches the production class that provides the core of students for the webcast. Overall, the team includes eight telecommunications, four journalism students and an advertising/public relations student.

Parade coverage begins at 5:50 p.m., and the stream at http://wpsu.org/event will include a pre-recorded, behind-the-scenes magazine show before and after the webcast.

Senior telecommunications majors Spencer Halsman and Taylor Rudowski lead the webcast as student director and technical director, respectively.

Five students comprise the on-air team for the webcast. Sophomore Darius Williams-McKenzie and senior Camisha Prince will host the magazine show. They’re both majoring in journalism.

A trio of seniors will handle parade coverage: Danielle Cooney (advertising/public relations), Dalila Lewis (journalism) and Jonas Saint Preux (journalism).

This marks the 12th consecutive year students from the College of Communications have led the Homecoming parade webcast.

“We’re always excited to provide this opportunity to our students,” said Matt Jackson, head of the Department of Telecommunications. “They learn how to deal with a vast array of issues from the logistics of arranging lighting, audio and crowd control, to dealing with the ever-changing October weather. It is a testament to the students’ work ethic and passion that this annual webcast has become such a success. Additionally, it’s testament to the passion of Penn Staters all over the world who watch the webcast and make the experience meaningful for students.”

Penn State Homecoming is one of the largest student-run homecoming organizations in the country. Comprised of nearly 400 student volunteers who work to make Homecoming a yearlong celebration, the group aims to celebrate tradition and instill pride in all members of the Penn State family. This year’s theme is “Inspiring New Beginnings.”

Last Updated June 2, 2021