UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Comedian Keegan-Michael Key has been selected by the Homecoming Executive Committee to represent the Penn State community as grand marshal for Homecoming 2015. Each year the committee selects a Penn State alumna or alumnus who shows extraordinary qualities to serve as Homecoming’s grand marshal.
“The grand marshal is an individual who attended Penn State, excelled in their field of study, and has continued to make notable achievements within that industry,” said Katrina Brintzenhoff, alumni relations director for Homecoming 2015.
Since earning his master of fine arts at Penn State in 1996, Key has gone on to become a successful comedian. He is best known for co-creating and starring in the Comedy Central hit show “Key and Peele,” for his six seasons on MADtv, and for his co-starring role on the USA Network comedy series “Playing House.” He has also recently appeared in movies such as “Let’s Be Cops,” “Pitch Perfect 2,” and “Tomorrowland.”
In addition to these accomplishments, Key has received multiple Emmy nominations and is a Peabody Award winner. He also recently received an Alumni Fellow Award from the Penn State Alumni Association.
“The Homecoming Executive Committee selected Keegan-Michael Key as the 2015 Grand Marshal in honor of his contributions to the arts and teaching during and beyond the four dedicated years he spent at Penn State,” Brintzenhoff said.
Upon learning of his selection as grand marshal, Key indicated that he would be clearing his schedule for Homecoming week, joking with his wife that, even if Steven Spielberg called, he would not be able to shoot anything during that time.
“You have been given a rare opportunity to not only represent your alma mater as you remember it, but you are representing the memories of all who have served and attended the University,” said Key of the honor.
“You are the host who is symbolically ‘waving’ everyone back through the old threshold into our collective academic home.”
Homecoming 2015 is slated for Oct. 4-10, culminating with the Homecoming football game against Indiana at noon on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Beaver Stadium.