Name: George Lesher

Major: Integrated Master of Accounting Program (MAcc)

Past THON experience:

THON 2019, 2020 OPPerations committee member

THON 2021 Finance captain (alt fund)

THON 2022 Finance fundraising sales coordinator

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

I have never missed a Meatball Monday in my five years at Penn State. 

What made you want to apply for a Director position for THON 2023? 

Through my involvement in THON, I have met so many inspirational THON families and THON volunteers. I try to emulate their passion for our organization and hope to do so in my director role. I hope to inspire the next generation of volunteers and give hope to all our families day in and day out. Someday soon we will be dancing in celebration of a cure. 

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director? 

The Finance Committee supports the THON community in its fundraising efforts by securely processing all monetary donations to uphold the integrity of THON. In addition to tracking all organization totals, Finance also finalizes the THON Weekend total, the monetary representation of the THON Community’s year-long fundraising efforts For the Kids®.

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

As an organization, we are taking a shift into a data-driven approach to understand and predict our future success. 

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

Seeing the total raised at the end of THON Weekend is a unique experience as a member of Finance because you know that you counted and entered donations throughout the year to culminate in the total. 

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2022?

I hope to create a welcoming and inspiring committee for all members of Finance. I hope committee members get to learn from captains and vice versa and I hope that this year’s Finance lays the foundation for years to come of future THON Finance volunteers. 

Why do you THON? 

I THON for all the families, students, and people that I have met since becoming a part of this organization. Each individual has inspired me to give my all to this organization. 

What’s your favorite THON memory? 

My favorite THON memory was during my first THON when I was walking out of the tunnels of the BJC onto the floor and seeing all the bright colors and people in the stands. Seeing all those students centered around our mission was inspiring.

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

Pterodactyl — I think it would be sweet to be able to fly as a dinosaur. I also could escape the T-Rex if they came for me.