Penn State Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford virtually addressed the university community Saturday night by delivering a message on THON 2021’s livestream.

As always, Clifford began by asking the crowd, “Where else would you rather be than a room full of Penn Staters?” He acknowledged that current circumstances prevent Penn Staters from being together in person, but the university community goes far beyond that.

Clifford spoke to officially commence THON 2021’s Alumni Hour. He noted that Penn State’s 720,000 alumni worldwide and the Alumni Association’s 175,000 members fully support THON and its dancers’ efforts.

“THON is a movement. It’s a mobilization of this community around putting an end to childhood cancer,” Clifford said. “You know, THON doesn’t end at graduation. THON can’t end at graduation. THON can’t end until we actually find a cure for childhood cancer.”

Clifford finished his brief speech by encouraging Penn Staters near and far to take a moment to recognize THON’s efforts and dance a little.

“Wherever you are today, I hope you take a moment to support what our amazing students are doing here once again, and I hope you take an opportunity to dance,” Clifford said. “We all need to continue to dance until we find a cure and we can dance in celebration.”

Last week, Clifford and the Alumni Association effectively declared a virtual White Out for THON 2021’s pep rally, much like a typical THON. THON’s 592 dancers will receive commemorative White Out t-shirts this weekend to celebrate just that.