For the first time in Homecoming history, the event’s emcees were selected by Homecoming captains instead of a university-wide vote. After an extensive application and interview process, sophomore Danielle Cooney and junior Ben Bobick were chosen as the 2015 emcees.

“I am very happy with the selection and I look forward to seeing what they will bring to the Penn State Homecoming experience,”  said Amanda Cramer, Homecoming Director of Production, in a press release.

The Homecoming scriptwriting and production captains worked together to interview and decide the emcees. Once the final decision was made, Bobick and Cooney were surprised at the HUB by committee members.

Meet Danielle Cooney, a sophomore advertising major. She is so happy to be the 2015 Emcee for Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/dCckPCB5mC

— PSU Homecoming (@PSUHOMECOMING) March 28, 2015

Meet Ben Bobick, a junior broadcast journalism major. He can’t wait to be the face of Homecoming 2015! pic.twitter.com/OfmXsxJtMo — PSU Homecoming (@PSUHOMECOMING) March 28, 2015

In addition to their new Homecoming responsibilities, both Cooney and Bobick are involved with other organizations on campus. Cooney is on the Whiplash Dance Team and was a Dancer Relations committee member in THON this year, and Bobick hosts an opinion talk show on the Lion 90.7 FM and is the president of Delta Tau Delta.

For the co-hosts, the opportunity gives them a chance to get more involved in homecoming, something they’ve both wanted to do for a while.

“It is exciting going from a possibility to it being real, and after going through interviews and now being an emcee, it is unreal,” Cooney said in a press release. “It comes with great weight because it’s Penn State and being emcee is the coolest job. It’s a huge honor.”

“I’m beyond excited. I love homecoming and it gives me a chance to be more involved than just being on a float,” Bobick said in a press release. “Being involved means a lot to me and it’s something I care about a lot. I am so passionate about how we celebrate homecoming here and I’m honored to help enhance people’s experience like others have enhanced mine.”

The theme for Homecoming 2015 is “A Legacy to Shape the Future” and the festivities will take place the weekend of October 10.