Tell us about THON & Donor and Alumni Relations
The Donor and Alumni Relations, Alumni Engagement Committee is one of the 16 Committees a pivotal role in developing a lasting future for THON as an organization. While our involvement as THON volunteers may be limited to our time as students, our relationships with THON and the Four Diamonds Families we support are lifelong. Alumni have the potential not only to be THON’s most dedicated and generous supporters, but to be ambassadors of our organization, actively spreading THON’s mission across the country and the world. Alumni bring their passion, knowledge, and experiences with THON to their hometowns and into their professional and social networks. I also think the Alumni Engagement Committee is important because it empowers students to interact with donors, University staff, and various stakeholders of THON. There is a great deal of professional development that comes with Alumni Engagement, as these experiences provide a tremendous amount of experience learning how to build meaningful, lasting relationships with various demographics of stakeholders who are passionately invested in the prosperity of Penn State.
Why do you think THON is important and meaningful on campus?
I think THON is a cause that truly lies at the heart of Penn State. THON is an organization that represents the unwavering passion, pride, and dedication that all Penn Staters exude.
How did you decide to take on your role as director?
I wanted to take the opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee and devote myself to a role that I felt could bring about a great deal of growth for this organization as a whole. This position continuously fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride for the past, present, and future of Penn State. I am tremendously passionate about the innovative, empowering, and impactful strides that can be made through meaningful engagements between THON and our alumni supporters, and being able to help foster the impact alumni can have on THON and our shared fight against childhood cancer inspired me to apply for this position.
How does your work with THON & Donor and Alumni Relations give you the opportunity to use your gifts and passions?
THON is one part of the Penn State experience that truly touches all corners of this University. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you study, everyone student can be a member of the THON community. THON is not just an organization, it is truly a community of supporters united in the fight against childhood cancer. The mission of THON spreads far beyond Penn State.