Everyone involved in THON knows of its talented core of Executive Committee members, but those prestigious titles can sometimes make it hard for the Penn State community to actually get to know them. Therefore, we’re sitting down with each and every THON 2016 Director to better understand who they are and what they do. In case you missed it, last week we introduced Merchandise Director, Eric Pohle. This week we’re featuring Hospitality Director, Sam Hunsicker.

Sam Hunsicker, Hospitality

Year: Super Senior

Major(s)/Minor(s): Security and Risk Analysis, Cyber Security Option with minors in IST & Business

Past THON Experience: Morale committee member freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Hospitality captain senior year

Interesting/Weird/Quirky Fact About You: My beard has a red tint to it.

Onward State: What made you want to apply?

Sam Hunsicker: I have highly enjoyed my experiences involved in THON. Being a captain was awesome and being in a position that was really relied upon was also great. I, however, wanted to be more involved and truly make a large impact on THON 2016. I applied for a Director to gain this experience.

OS: What are the responsibilities of your position?

SH: Hospitality is responsible for all food and beverage served throughout the year during THON events. We serve food to the families and volunteers, which we obtain from extremely kind donors within and outside of the State College community.

OS: What do you want to implement in your position this year that’s unique and differs from years past?

SH: This year, Hospitality plans to look deeper into making meals and snacks with more nutritional options by reaching out and communicating with various donors and also sitting down with nutritionists and forming a plan for future THONs.

OS: List what you think makes your committee so cool/fun/important?

SH: First off, our color is hot pink, which I personally think is pretty cool. Hospitality also has to opportunity to interact with so many stakeholders during THON. Hospitality Committee members have the opportunity to serve dancer meals as well as family meals. Because of our donor base, we are able to interact with so many amazing people that truly love to help THON.

OS: What are the overall goals you wish to reach within your specific position/committee?

SH: There are several goals I plan to focus on this year. I hope to create various options for Dancers during THON weekend to choose from that also have a nutritional value as well. I also hope to fine tune the tiny hiccups Hospitality has experienced in prior years.

OS: Why do you THON?

SH: Through THON I have met some of the most amazing people I will ever have the privilege of meeting. This includes the friends that I have made that have made my Penn State career unforgettable. The donors I have interacted with that do so much for our amazing philanthropy. And especially the children and families that are our heros and inspiration every single day. My freshman year, after seeing the atmosphere of THON weekend, I was hooked. As I got more involved I was truly able to see the impact THON has on all of us. I witnessed the smiles and laughter from all of the children, family, and volunteers’ faces. These moments made me fall in love with this philanthropy and its cause. I THON for these laughs and smiles, that they continue to happen at THON events and eventually everyday of these families lives.

OS: What is your favorite THON memory?

SH: As general as this may be, my favorite THON memory is the moment I stepped on the floor of the BJC my freshman year. I had never experienced THON before and when it was our turn on the floor during Pre­THON, the upperclassmen on our committee escorted all the freshman on the floor to witness their expressions. It was an amazing moment and truly was the beginning of my THON experience.

OS: Finally, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

SH: If I could choose, I’d choose a Brachiosaurus, the ones with the long neck, because when I was in pre­school and we were talking about dinosaurs, I had an odd obsession with this kind of dinosaur.