Name: Keegan Sobczak

Major: Supply Chain and Information Systems

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2021: Hospitality Committee Member
THON 2022: Hospitality Committee Member
THON 2023: Supply Logistics Paper and Office Supplies Donor Contact/Gift Card Initiative Captain; Primary Chair for Theta Chi Fraternity; Dancer
THON 2024: Supply Logistics Director

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2025?

I chose to apply to be an executive director for THON 2025 to find another way to give back to this organization. It is an odd thing being involved in THON: You work tirelessly to give all you can to support our families impacted by childhood cancer, and yet it seems the organization provides me with more than I feel like I could ever contribute back to our mission.

Being a member of the THON 2024 Executive Committee allowed me to see a lot of other aspects of this organization that I love, interact more with organizations, lead a committee of captains who were some of the most passionate and hardworking people I have had the pleasure of working with and calling friends, and meet more of our families who amplify my “Why I THON” with even the smallest interaction. I couldn’t leave this organization as a student without devoting another year to this cause and trying to give my all to it.

What are your responsibilities as a THON director?

As the executive director, my main responsibility is leading the executive committee, which is the 16 committee directors who oversee each of the 16 committees. I help advise them through decision-making processes and help connect the dots between certain initiatives or processes that occur within other committees to help broaden the scope of certain projects to further grow our organization. Seeing the 16 of them lead their own committees, strive each and every day to leave this organization better than they found it, and find new ways to involve our families and support them has been the most rewarding aspect of this position. I also serve as the primary liaison between THON and our sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds, our primary healthcare provider, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, our first-class research institution, the Penn State College of Medicine, and the university. I also work to spread THON’s mission to donors and increase engagement with other crucial stakeholders.

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

Something that I have been focused on working on in my position is expanding our presence and reach to people outside of Pennsylvania. THON is a very recognizable brand and organization throughout the commonwealth, but to continue spreading our mission and growing, we need to engage with more stakeholders outside of its borders. Whether it be focusing on finding ways to increase our digital presence through social media and our website or working to involve more of Penn State’s expansive and passionate alumni base, this has been a priority of mine.

Another thing I have been working on is promoting the presence of collaboration across the THON Committees and the notion of “16 Committees Strong.” Over recent years, each committee has become very efficient in their individual missions and how they relate to our goal of providing emotional and financial support to our families impacted by childhood cancer. An area of growth for our organization is finding even more ways for our committees to collaborate on different projects to bring in varying perspectives and expertise to further our fight and usher in more sustainable growth. As I mentioned in continuing to spread our mission outside of Pennsylvania, we also have work to do in spreading our mission to more organizations and students at Penn State. Across the commonwealth, we have a network of students who display Penn State pride day in and day out who may have felt like THON isn’t for them or are unsure of how to get involved. It is one of my responsibilities to help increase the accessibility of our organization to all who want to be involved. Our mission and organization’s success grows exponentially with the more people we can get involved in it.

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

The THON Executive Committee is so amazing because you have a group of 16 passionate and hardworking individuals who oversee their own committees and come together to bring larger initiatives and projects to life to change the landscape and operation of the organization for years to come. It is an honor to be able to lead the THON 2025 Executive Committee. I continue to learn something new about this organization every single day, which continues to stoke my passion even further. It is truly awe-inspiring to see the work they are able to do and the direction they are steering this organization for years to come so that, one day, we can dance in celebration of a world free of childhood cancer.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2025?

Increase collaborative efforts amongst the 16 committees and find new ways to promote sustainable initiatives within our organization, because a cleaner world and environment means fewer cancer diagnoses. We also hope to drive data-informed decision-making, increase accessibility across the organization, and further our DEI initiatives because our mission is one that welcomes everyone, and our organization needs to reflect that. We want to expand our presence and mission to as many people as possible, fundraise in pursuit of a cure for childhood cancer, and provide a Home For Hope for our families in THON.

Why do you THON?

I THON so that every child has the opportunity to dream as big as the sky and then grow up to chase it.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

I think this is technically an impossible question, but the current memory on replay is from when the dancers stood this past THON Weekend 2024. As we counted down from 10 on the stage, getting ready for the weekend to begin, I was able to take a mental picture of the 16 other people on stage with me who have worked tirelessly all year and are ready to execute their responsibilities over the next 46 hours, the dancers ready and eager to take a stand against childhood cancer, spectators proudly representing hundreds of organizations, and families excited to be home with the THON community. It is a memory that will stick with me forever and one I often think about.

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

Ankylosaurus because I’ve always loved how they looked and they are always represented well in dinosaur classic films.