Name: Evan Kase

Major: Civil Engineering

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: OPP Committee Member
THON 2023: OPP Committee Member & Lieutenant
THON 2024: OPP Set Up/Tear Down Captain

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

I sought a position on the 2025 Executive Committee because I have always believed that involvement in THON is the most unique and beautiful avenue to have a positive impact on others. My reason for applying to be a committee member, captain, and director has always been the opportunity — the opportunity to serve our community, the opportunity to fundraise for a cure, the opportunity to lead with passion and purpose, and of course, the opportunity to support children and families in the battle of their lives.

Through my involvement, I have sought more responsibility in different roles because I believe this opportunity to change lives for the better is one that cannot be passed. Serving as the OPP director has allowed me to pour my passion and love for our mission into our organization for the past year, and I applied because I knew this opportunity was the best way that I could leave a lasting impact on those we serve!

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

My job as the (OPP)erations director is to oversee the setup, maintenance, and tear down of the THON 5K, Family Carnival, and THON Weekend, and guarantee a safe and healthy environment for all THON families, volunteers, and spectators. This process includes supply and vehicle movements, university work orders, proper waste management practices, and countless event timelines!

I am also the primary point of contact between THON and the Bryce Jordan Center, one of THON’s largest donors and the home of THON Weekend, as well as the Penn State Office of Physical Plant. I oversee 21 captains who have unique jobs related to different elements of events or committee member involvement. I also co-lead THON’s sustainability efforts as well, working with several other committees and Penn State Sustainability to guarantee that our organization is achieving its zero-waste goals.

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

A major goal of mine this year was to streamline the way in which we plan for the setup and tear-down of events. I worked closely with my captains to critically think about our processes and where we could improve on efficiency, rather than carrying over the same plans year over year.

Additionally, I am passionate about sustainability and have done as much as possible to improve our waste management practices to strive for our goal of zero waste. We have altered our waste station signage, procured limited entry lids for our bins, rolled out greater education on sustainability, and improved our outreach efforts to ensure more people are aware of and can contribute to our mission! I have also worked closely with the sustainability institute on ways in which their resources can help us improve our diversion rates and sort THON’s waste more efficiently than ever before!

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

OPP is such a unique committee because our success is measured both by how well we carry out our mission and by how well we support other THON committees! OPP works very closely with all 16 THON committees to ensure their efforts at events are supported through supply requests and general maintenance. We pride ourselves on being THON volunteers first, and OPP volunteers second, and get to support all other committees’ efforts in multiple ways.

Additionally, OPP has a strong committee culture of love and support for one another. Being the first in and last out at events takes a ton of heart, and OPP is able to be so successful because we work and function as a close team of one rather than 22. The Big Blue Family creates bonds between its co-volunteers that last for life, and my four years spent on OPP have introduced me to some of THON’s most passionate volunteers and incredible people!

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

One of my biggest goals as a THON director is to prioritize the experience of OPP’s committee members and ensure they have a positive experience. Committee members are the future of THON, and ensuring that captains are able to impart their passion to others and encourage them to increase their involvement is paramount. None of the Executive Committee would be here without this network of encouragement, and if I am able to inspire even one volunteer to continue their involvement, then I have done my job in spreading THON’s mission.

Why do you THON?

I THON because I want to do everything in my power to ensure no child or family has to battle cancer alone. I want families to feel the tangible support of the THON community, and every day I am privileged to serve as a THON director is a day that I can work towards and believe in a tomorrow free of childhood cancer!

What’s your favorite THON memory?

During THON 2024, my position responsibility was to create and execute the full timeline of THON Weekend’s setup and tear-down processes for all committees. On Friday morning at 5 a.m., I walked onto an empty BJC floor, hours before THON Weekend took shape. Seventy-two hours later, after the full weekend, I did the same before leaving the BJC, once again seeing a blank slate. It was an incredibly rewarding and full circle moment to know that I had been responsible for such an incredible weekend and that only 24 hours prior, I was awake and immersed in the magic of THON in the very same spot!

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

Pterodactyl. Absolutely elite creature, plus being able to fly would be awesome.