State College Mayor Ron Filippelli announced Monday that State College will once again be known as the “City of THON” throughout the 46 hours dancers remain standing from February 19 to 21.

This will now be the seventh time the borough was renamed in honor of Penn State’s annual no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. In 2015, former State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham started the tradition.

Filippelli made the temporary name-change official during Monday night’s Borough Council meeting. There, THON volunteers applauded the ceremonial gesture.

“On behalf of the THON community, I would like to thank the State College community for their ongoing support of THON,” Penn State student Christine Gabriele said. “You are all such a key part of making THON what it is.”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, THON 2021 will take place virtually. Regardless, we dance in 16!

About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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