Name: Lauren Nelson

Major: Chemical Engineering

Past THON Experience:

Sophomore year I was a Donor & Alumni Relations Committee Member. My junior year I was the Third-Party Captain for Development.

Name an interesting, weird, or quirky fact about yourself:

I learned how to surf this summer!

What made you want to apply for the Development Director position for THON 2018?

Among many other things, I have been specifically drawn to the Development Committee because of the meaningful interactions that are created with all of THON’s supporters through the committee’s efforts.

What are your responsibilities as the Development Director?

The mission of the Development Committee is to create and foster relationships with THON’s growing donor base, and to educate the THON community on effective fundraising and awareness campaigns. My responsibilities are to be the best resource I possibly can be to the 2018 Development Committee to achieve that mission, and to oversee solicitations, benefitting, and different fundraising campaigns for THON.

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

I’m looking forward to exploring more of the opportunities between THON and its partners, and assisting and educating THON volunteers on effective fundraising and awareness campaigns even more.

What makes the Development committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

The Development Committee is very much evolving, which I personally think is really cool! There’s no set way to fundraise or spread awareness, so there’s always something that can be changed for the better or new method to implement.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2018?

I have three main goals that I set out to achieve for the Development Committee this year – enhance the resources and opportunities that are provided to organizations, maintain positive relationships with THON’s partners, and expand THON’s supporter base.

Why do you THON?

I THON for the families who are so courageous in the midst of the fight against childhood cancer. For me, the reason never really stops growing though. The hope and sense of wonder that THON ignites in each and every volunteer makes it difficult not to want to give this organization everything you’ve got.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

As a Development Captain for THON 2017, I had the opportunity to give behind the scenes tours to parents, individual, corporate, and alumni supporters. To see the expression on individuals’ faces when they get to be down on the floor for the first time is equally as incredible for me as it was for them.

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

I would be a sauropoda because I love giraffes and they’re basically the dinosaur version of a giraffe.