THON’s longtime advisor Barry Bram has stepped down from his position after accepting a one-year temporary assignment next year in the Office of Student Affairs.

Bram, who has been one of the few permanent faces of THON since he took over in the summer of 2007, served as the Senior Associate Director of Union and Student Activities. That position will be temporarily filled in by one of the two new THON co-advisors, Darcy Rameker, currently an associate director in student affairs.

“It’s a bittersweet time, I have certainly loved my experiences working with all of the student leaders and getting to know Four Diamonds Fund staff and families,” said Bram. “I know change is good, and I know the two new advisors will come in and bring new knowledge to THON.  They both have a history of leading students and in developing student leaders.”

“I am sad to not be as directly involved as I have been in the past, but I want to work with the new advisors and share what I know,” Bram continued. “I know I will continue to be involved as possible in some way.”

Accompanying Rameker as a co-advisor will be Jenn Mallen, current director of the Penn State Parents Program.  According to Bram, this will only be a one year assignment for the new co-advisors.

We can all agree that Barry has left a permanent mark on THON and its movement forward over the past several years. One thing is for sure moving into THON 2014 — there are some big THON socks and shoes to fill.