THON weekend is right around the corner. Leading up to the days we dance, we’re sitting down with the people who help make it all possible: the directors. Each week we’re profilinga THON 2016 Director to better understand who they are and what they do. In case you missed it, last week we introduced Hospitality Director, Sam Hunsicker. This week we’re sitting down with Communications Director, Logan Echard.

Logan Echard, Communications

Year: Senior

Major(s)/Minor(s): Majoring in Security and Risk Analysis, minoring in Homeland Security

Past THON Experience:

2013 ­– Penn State Harrisburg, Benefiting THON: Family Relations Captain

2014 –­ Penn State Harrisburg, Benefiting THON: Executive Director

2015 ­– Communications Captain, Commonwealth Campus Liaison

Interesting/Weird/Quirky Fact About You: I drove a monster truck at the age of six.

Onward State: What made you want to apply for Communications Director?

Logan Echard: I look at my involvement in THON as a way of giving forward, because the work that we do today helps generations in the future. I wanted to give forward in an even greater way and help shape THON for the future. What inspires me everyday is the children that are fighting day in and day out and all of the 15,000 student volunteers that are working tirelessly to make sure that children don’t have to fight this disease anymore.

OS: What are the responsibilities of your position?

LE: I serve as the primary liaison to THON volunteers within the Penn State University community. Communications works to educate and empower students, faculty, and staff as to how they can make a greater impact in our fight to conquer childhood cancer.

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

LE: Something we are working on this year is organization transitioning. I have noticed that a lot of the fundraising organizations who benefit THON, that do amazing things year after year, might not have a great transition process from one THON Chair to the next. It can be tough for organizations to evaluate success and build off of that success from one year to the next.

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

LE: On any given week our committee communicates with over 40,000 people between the THON Chair Update, THON Volunteer Update, and THON Newsletter. We staff the THON Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and talk to every person that calls or stops in the office. We serve as the spokesperson for all THON volunteers.

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

LE: I want to be sure that all volunteers and supporters are informed throughout the year and feel that their voice is being heard. I also want to ensure that the Communications Committee becomes a close group that works well together.

OS: Why do you THON?

LE: I THON so that one day no family has to hear the words, “your child has cancer.” The passionate volunteers and supporters that work hard everyday makes me want to do even more.

OS: What is your favorite THON memory?

LE: My first THON weekend in 2013, I had the opportunity to dance on stage in a cow costume and the feeling and atmosphere in the Bryce Jordan Center was incredible.

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

LE: I would be a stegosaurus, because the spikes are scary.