Marlisa Shaw and Frederick Purnell were named the recipients of Homecoming’s second-ever “Guide State Forward” award at halftime of Penn State’s football game against Purdue.

Shaw is a senior majoring in biology and psychology and a member of the Millennium Scholars Program. She’s conducted research in various campus labs and worked with the Minority Health Initiative and SAFE & AWARE.

Purnell is a senior majoring in biology and the president of LGBTQA Student Roundtable, vice president of the Queer and Trans People of Color Organization (QTPOC), and a peer educator for Men Against Violence.

Last year marked the first time ever that the award was presented after Homecoming instituted it in place of crowning a king and queen and announced the court would be gender-neutral moving forward After Homecoming announced members of the court, seniors voted throughout the week to decide who would receive the “Guide State Forward” award.

Congratulations, Marlisa and Frederick!