Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, students danced in 46-hour marathon at University Park.
contributing STudent writer: Paulette Irwin
Penn State THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, which was held Feb. 16-18 this year, at the Bryce Jordan Center, State College, Pa.
Locally, students at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, are finalizing this year’s fund-raising efforts in support of THON Weekend 2024. In 2023, The Fayette THON Team raised an extraordinary $101,965.89 through donations and fund-raising efforts, and this year, they hope to meet or exceed last year’s totals. Since the team’s inception in 1998, the cumulative amount raised is $1,617,049.68.
What is THON?
THON is a 46-hour continuous no sitting and no sleeping dance marathon that is the culmination of year-round efforts of more than 16,000 Penn State student volunteers. The end goal is to support THON’s commitment to providing financial support and awareness in the fight against pediatric cancer. THON, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, began in 1973, and since then over $200 million dollars have been donated to the Four Diamonds Foundation at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. The Four Diamonds Foundation is a national leader in childhood cancer research, care, and treatment. The Foundation also assists the entire family in their time of need by taking care of medical bills, and paying for therapy, counseling, and hotel accommodations for families so they can be with their children in the hospital.
Fayette THON
The Fayette THON Team Chairperson for 2024 is student Lauren Nedrow. Among her many duties, she oversees and plans weekly student-run meetings throughout the academic year. According to Nedrow, there are 36 active student volunteers on this year’s team, and Chad Long, director of Student Affairs, serves as THON advisor at Penn State Fayette. At a recent meeting, Nedrow unveiled the official Fayette THON Team logo that will be printed on this year’s team t-shirts.
The Bryce Jordan Center, where the dance marathon is held, has a capacity of approximately 700 dancers. Because of this restriction, commonwealth campuses are limited in the number of dancers who can participate during the weekend. The Fayette THON Team had six students dancing this year, and the other team members will be cheering them on from the sidelines.
When asked why she became involved in THON, Nedrow explained that last year as a first-year student, she sought opportunities for campus involvement as she wanted to build a strong connection on campus with other students, faculty, and staff through meaningful activities. She attended her first THON meeting and instantly felt a sense of belonging. Nedrow concluded by saying, “Being part of Fayette THON genuinely is a feeling of being part of a family, greater than you will ever know.”
This year Penn State Fayette placed 1st in fundraising efforts during THON weekend among all 19 Commonwealth colleges and campuses, World Campus, and special mission campuses. The top 5 in the division were as follows:
#5 Berks – $34,090.75
#4 Behrend – $57,301.42
#3 Lehigh Valley – $69,563.71
#2 Altoona – $69,820.16
#1 Fayette – $98,028.33
The is the second highest the Fayette team has raised in a single year.
Fayette’s THON Team continues to lead the Commonwealth with its passion, enthusiasm, and determination. This increases the cumulative amount to $1,715.088.01. Furthermore, in its 27-year history the team has had 1 third place, 6 second places, and 20 first places.
Overall, Penn State students raised a record-breaking total of $16.9M for THON 2024, bringing the University’s cumulative total to more than $235M million raised since 1977.
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus THON Contact: Lauren Nedrow at lnn5119@psu.edu.
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