Name: Nate Wilson

Major: Biology with a microbiology minor

Past THON Experience
2018- Dancer Relations Committee Member
2019- Dancer Relations Committee Member
2020- Supply Logistics Captain: Paper and Office Supplies Donor
Contact/Gift Card Initiative (#weloveGCI)

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

I have been to 48 out of 50 states! Louisiana and Oregon, I’m coming for
you!

What made you want to apply for the Supply Logistics Director position for THON 2021?

When I came to Penn State, I found my family in THON, my fellow
committee members, my fellow org members, our two THON families,
and later in my Co-Captains. Each of those groups reinspired me and helped
me discover new reasons to continue my involvement. I wanted to be a
member of the Executive Committee to help others find the same family in
this organization that I did. Last year on Supply Logistics, I fell in love with what we do behind the scenes. Helping spread THON’s mission across the country and world to new donors and supporting all the other committees was work I found incredibly meaningful. I wanted to do everything I could to help others find meaning in what we do and grow the impact this committee has on our families and the fight against childhood cancer.

What are your responsibilities as the Supply Logistics Director?

As Supply Logistics Director, I oversee the organization, upkeep, and data
tracking of all of THON’s storage locations. I work with seventeen incredible
Captains to contact donors and obtain all in-kind donations used at every
THON event throughout the year. Additionally, I work with my inventory
team to ensure supplies are readily available and provided to all of the other committees to help their projects succeed! SL is also on the front lines of sustainability efforts, ensuring every decision we make is done with THON’s sustainability goals in mind.

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

My predecessor in 2020, Bailey, did an incredible job building out a
system for Supply Logistics to keep detailed records of what
supplies were utilized and information on all donors we come into
contact with. This year is the first year we have the chance to use
that comprehensive data to inform decisions that we make moving
forward. Supply Logistics plays a key role in sustainability, so
making sure we are using the best supplies, repurposing when we
can, and not creating waste is always a goal of ours. Analyzing past
THONs to help us make better decisions today and into the future
is something I’m excited to be able to start doing on a large scale.

What makes the Supply Logistics Committee so cool, fun, and/or
important?

On Supply Logistics, we have a behind the scenes hand in almost every
event THON puts on throughout the year. From acquiring all needed
supplies to helping other committees gather everything they need, we
have a unique window into every event throughout the year and how each
engages the community and supports our families!

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for
THON 2021?

Supply Logistics runs a series of initiatives throughout the year: The Gift
Card Initiative, Operation KIDS, THON Raffle, and the Hershey Holiday
Toy Drive. One of my major goals this year is to grow the reach and impact of every single one of those initiatives. Continuing to improve all of our storage locations and rolling out a new system for tracking our supplies is a primary goal for me and my inventory team. Finally, continuing to grow THON’s sustainability goals. SL stands on the front line of sustainability so using what we’ve learned from the past to phase out single-use items, grow relations with local donors, and build out a system to reuse supplies is always important.

Why do you THON?

Childhood cancer has personally touched my family in the past, and although I was young at the time, what I do remember is the impact it had on those I loved. From my own family, I have seen the good that support and love of organizations like THON can have for those fighting. Four Diamonds and THON have been a part of my life for over eight years, and a
long time ago I made a promise to my younger self to always give back in any way I can to our families. THON is that opportunity. When I came to Penn State it is where I found my home. I THON for my family, all our families, and to keep that promise I made to myself all those years ago.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

I had the incredible honor to dance in THON 2020, so I would have to say
the entirety of THON Weekend 2020! From running around with kids,
doing the line dance with my friend and co-captains, and being with my sister as she experiences her first THON as a PSU student, the entire weekend was magical. I can’t possibly pick out one moment from any of the others!

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

This question stumped me, so at the recommendation of our Dancer
Relations Director, Nick Vicidomini, I turned to National Geographics’,
“What Dinosaur Are You” Quiz. Their research said I would be an Apatosaurus because I’m mellow but adventurous! They’re the experts for
a reason because I’d say that’s pretty spot on.