Name: Ansh Shah

Major: Psychology

Minor: Rehabilitation and Human Services

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: Rules and Regulations Committee Member
THON 2023: Finance Captain – Gift Entry
THON 2024: Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety Online Giving Captain

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

THON has been a part of my life for over 12 years now. I was introduced to it and really began participating through my high school’s mini-THON, and I soon came to know that Penn State was the school for me, with THON being right up there at the front of my reasons to come here. Arriving at Penn State, I fell in love with THON all over again. Being a part of the THON community at Penn State made me realize how much this community not only means to me but to the thousands of families we help.

In addition, the dedication that each and every single student volunteer has for our families continues to inspire me to want to give even more. I wanted to become a director so I can continue giving my all and to help provide opportunities for others to give back to our families and THON. I want to do my part in helping share our mission to as many people as possible and highlight the amazing and inspiring stories our families have. I know that I will continue to support this organization and our mission through the day when we dance in celebration of a cure.

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

As the Fundraising Safety director, I am responsible for making sure that THON’s practices and fundraising policies are practiced safely and with integrity. This is through the administration of the THON rulebook as well as by leading the Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety Committee. With my captains, I work closely alongside the fundraising outreach team as they connect with organizations to communicate fundraising practices and help us learn from their successes. The fundraising development reviews fundraising ideas and several types of requests to ensure they are aligned with THON’s mission and the THON rulebook. In addition, alongside the online giving team, we ensure the proper maintenance and utilization of THON’s sole online giving platform DonorDrive.

Additional tasks as the Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety director include working closely with other directors and committees across the THON community to ensure we are able to promote our organization to the best of our ability. And during several major events including THON Weekend, the Fundraising Safety Committee will work closely with the Event Safety Committee to ensure our families, volunteers, and other members of the THON community are safe.

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

One of my biggest goals this year was to increase our understanding and connection to our THON and Penn State alumni, and how we are able to increase our engagement and connection to THON’s mission. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done throughout their time at Penn State, and I would love to keep their relationship with THON thriving through digital fundraising and THON nation as they graduate from the university.

I also want to increase and receive more active feedback from our organizations and independent dancer couples so the Fundraising Safety Committee is better able to cater to our organizations and their needs as THON continues to develop for years to come.

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

The Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety Committee has the unique opportunity to work on multiple sides of the THON community. This includes but is not limited to the fundraising side, where we help organizations and IDCs fundraise to the best of their abilities, but also the event side, where we are able to work security during major events alongside the Event Safety Committee, in providing a security presence for our families and fellow volunteers. We find it very rewarding to be given to opportunity to help our organizations and families in a multitude of ways!

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

The theme of the Rules and Regulations Fundraising Safety Committee this year is “Foster Service Together.” This entails part of the mission of the Fundraising Safety Committee and our goal of always keeping our family first. Our families are our biggest motivators in everything we do, and they motivate us to want to give 110% to ensure the responsibilities and aspirations we have are achieved. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond in helping our organizations and IDCs reach their goals and provide any necessary resources and ideas that can help them achieve this.

Why do you THON?

I THON for more smiles and to celebrate more birthdays. I THON for giving kids the opportunity to be kids so that no family ever has to hear that their child has cancer. Our families are the embodiment of the Four Diamonds of courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength, and they continue to inspire me every day. The THON community’s determination in this very mission and the support for our families continue to motivate me to help inspire others to support our mission. I THON for the hope that one day, we will all dance in celebration of a cure.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

There are so many to count but one of my favorite THON memories is the total reveal from THON Weekend 2023. This was during my first year of being a THON captain and being able to embrace, celebrate, and be by the stage right after the numbers went up and celebrate with my co-captains will be something I will never forget.

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

I would be a pterodactyl because they can fly.