As alumni return and students prepare for Homecoming 2001, a variety of events are planned for today and this weekend to help "Celebrate Old State."

Today's festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the homecoming parade. Participants in the parade will gather at the flower garden across from East Halls before traveling through campus and downtown State College.

Grand marshal for the parade is Jim Pawelczyk, a former astronaut on the space shuttle Columbia, a Penn State graduate and an assistant professor of physiology and kinesiology. Ross Lehman, a Penn State graduate and a contributor to the university, will be the honorary grand marshal.

"Dr. Pawelczyk was chosen as grand marshal because he has made a lot of contributions outside of the Penn State community, and we are honored that he chose to make his life here," said Danielle Elicker, alumni and community relations chair. "Ross Lehman was chosen because he is a great local figure. He has contributed to not only to the alumni community, but to the students as well."

The grand marshal and honorary grand marshal will stop off at the Allen Street Gates, where the judges and student emcees will be located. Student masters of ceremony for the parade are Ally Welsh and Lance Marquardt, said Matt Davis, overall chairperson for Homecoming 2001.

Immediately following the parade is a fireworks display on the HUB-Robeson Center lawn. The fireworks lead into the pep rally at Old Main, which will be followed by the candlelight vigil on the steps of Old Main. The final event today is "Guard the Lion Shrine" from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Nittany Lion Shrine.

Activities continue tomorrow morning as "Huddle with the Faculty" takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Nittany Lion Inn. Barbara Rolls, professor of nutrition in the College of Health and Human Development, is the featured speaker. In its 8th year of faculty presentations on football Saturday mornings, "Huddle with the Faculty" is free and open to the public, said Mary Jane Stout, program planner for Alumni Education.

"Huddle with the Faculty" will end in time for the 12:10 p.m. kickoff for Penn State vs. Southern Mississippi football game at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions are coming off last weekend's record-setting win for coach Joe Paterno, and are looking for their third victory of the season.

Final events for homecoming are on Sunday morning. The Alumni Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by an awards ceremony at 11 a.m. Both will be at the Nittany Lion Inn.