Name: Kristen Donahoe

Major: Psychology

Minor: Rehabilitation and Human Services

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: OPPerations committee member
THON 2023: Dancer Relations committee member
THON 2024: Communications captain: Hershey Tours/Events Coordinator

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

I wanted to apply to be a THON director because of the passion I have for the mission we serve. I wanted to spend my last year pouring my entire heart and soul into an organization that touches the lives of so many. THON has completely changed my life, and I felt a strong pull towards serving in a role that allows me to give back to this organization and our amazing families.

I knew that serving on the executive committee would allow me to understand how crucial every volunteer is in the fight against childhood cancer. I wanted to work more closely with each committee to further our efforts and leave this organization better than we found it.

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

My primary responsibility as a member of the executive committee of THON is to work alongside the 16 other directors to make high-level decisions that will contribute to the long-term success of our organization and the support we provide to Four Diamonds families. As the Alumni Engagement director, I act as the primary liaison between THON and our largest stakeholder group, our 25,000 alumni supporters. I directly support Penn State alumni chapters from all over the country in their fundraising and awareness efforts.

I also sit on the board of the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group, which works to keep alumni engaged post-graduation. Finally, I support my 16 captains in their efforts to host interactive projects and campaigns year-round to keep our alumni supporters engaged, educate our current volunteers so they know how to stay involved in THON, and enhance our volunteers’ professional development skills so they feel prepared to become alumni.

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

Within the Alumni Engagement committee, we have taken many positive strides to further outreach to alumni and beyond. One new and exciting initiative this year is the implementation of the THONcast: Beyond the 46 Hours. This is a podcast that highlights the year-round efforts of THON by interviewing various stakeholder groups that contribute to the success of our organization.

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

The Alumni Engagement committee is incredibly important because we are solely responsible for ensuring that the fight to end childhood cancer extends far beyond our four years here at Penn State. We get to work with alumni year-round who inspire generational passion for the mission of THON. Penn State has the largest alumni association in the world, and because of the vast experiences and geographical spread of our alumni, we have the unique opportunity to spread the mission of THON all over the world!

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

My overall goal for the Alumni Engagement committee is to support alumni in their fundraising and awareness efforts while including them in ours. I want to work to advocate for the alumni community to inspire passion in our current volunteers to stay involved in THON post-graduation.

Why do you THON?

Going through a cancer diagnosis brings feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear. I love that THON provides a space of calm in the chaos, joy in the sadness, and magic in the ordinary. As THON volunteers, we have the unique opportunity to provide support in extremely difficult and unfair situations. I THON so that no family fights alone.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite THON memory is THON Football 2024. We had the amazing opportunity to take the field during the Bowling Green game with our Four Diamonds families. Seeing their faces light up in a stadium filled with fans cheering for them was a moment I will never forget.

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

After doing some research because this is not an area of expertise for me, I would be a Microraptor because they look pretty cool and can fly, which is a plus.