Homecoming is kicking things up a notch for its 100th celebration “Century of Stories,” naming two Honorary Grand Marshals rather than one. Martha and Paul Sharkey are the founders of Today is a Good Day, a nonprofit that supports families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The Homecoming Executive Committee chooses an Honorary Grand Marshal each year who has gone above and beyond for the Penn State community and embodies the spirit of Penn State. The selection was announced Wednesday afternoon at Homecoming’s Legacy celebration in the HUB.

The Sharkeys founded Today is a Good Day in honor of their daughter Claire and in memory of their daughter Mary. The twins were born at just 23 weeks and 5 days in November 2010, weighing 1 lb. 4 oz. and 1 lb. 2 oz. Mary lived for only two weeks before passing away due to complications from premature birth. Claire beat the odds and came home after 103 days in the NICU.

Homecoming revealed its new logo over the weekend at halftime of the Blue-White game. This year’s Homecoming will be held the first week of October, culminating in the Big Ten opening Homecoming game against Purdue on Saturday, October 5.

The Honorary Grand Marshals will be honored throughout the week, in the parade on Friday, October 4, and at halftime of the game. Homecoming typically announces its Grand Marshal in the fall in the weeks leading up to the celebration.