Name: Colin Spear

Major: Mechanical engineering

Previous THON Experience:
THON 2024: Hospitality Committee member
THON 2025: Hospitality Captain – beverages
THON 2026: Hospitality Captain – 1/2 dancer meals

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2027?

I wanted to become a director for THON to further the impact this organization has on children and families. Going to events and seeing children laughing, smiling, and playing provides a feeling that simply cannot be put into words. By volunteering in this organization, you get to see your work put into a cause that positively affects so many people. Over the past three years, my love and passion for this organization have grown, and I am incredibly grateful to further THON’s impact by serving on the executive committee.

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

As the Hospitality Director, I am responsible for supporting 24 captains and approximately 280 committee members as we work to “Fuel The Fight” for all families, dancers, spectators, and volunteers. I work alongside my captains to procure and serve all food and beverage donations at THON events, and I push important initiatives such as accommodating special dietary needs, emphasizing sustainable practices, and following food safety guidelines. To minimize internal costs, I work to maintain strong relationships with Hospitality’s donors to ensure that all food and beverages are 100% donated. On the executive committee, I represent Hospitality and collaborate with others to consistently find ways to improve THON.

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

One of my new goals as the Hospitality Director is to expand our profit-share promotions in the areas of Penn State Commonwealth Campuses. Traditionally, Hospitality promotions are either in State College or online. These events bring the community together while raising money for childhood cancer. I want to expand these promotions to the entire Penn State community throughout all of Pennsylvania, in hopes of expanding THON’s mission.

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

Hospitality works year-round to serve and procure all food and beverage donations for pre-THON Events and THON Weekend. By building strong relationships with our donors, Hospitality is able to operate purely off of in-kind and monetary gift card donations, meaning no internal money is spent. At each event, Hospitality works to implement important initiatives such as sustainability and accommodating special dietary needs. After each event, we work with local community partners to donate leftover food to food pantries and homeless shelters. After THON Weekend 2026, Hospitality was able to donate over 2,100 pounds of food to our community partners.

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2027?

Within my committee, my largest goal is to see my captains and committee members grow into leaders and immerse themselves in THON. Being a facilitation committee during pre-THON events and THON Weekend comes with a lot of moving pieces. It is crucial for all members of Hospitality to have strong relationships built on trust. With that, I have full confidence in everyone, and I am very excited to see how everyone works together at those events!

Why do you THON?

I THON so our Four Diamonds Families have a community of passionate people to support them during difficult times. Over the past three years in this organization, I have been lucky to interact with families and hear their stories. During these interactions, I was able to see how grateful they are for THON, and how our actions impact their everyday lives. One of my favorite quotes comes from Four Diamonds Family member Derek Nesbit: “No matter what life gives you, give more back.” By volunteering in THON, I am able to give more back to children and families in need.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite THON memory comes from the Final Four during THON 2025. The song “Home” by Phillip Phillips started playing, and my captain committee huddled together. We sang, jumped, and cried after feeling all the emotions that THON Weekend has to offer. The energy in the Bryce Jordan Center at that moment is something I will never forget. Hearing 16,000+ people come together for the same cause was so inspiring, and I had never felt more proud to be a part of a community like that.

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

If I could be any dinosaur, I would have to choose a Spinosaurus. They were giant, looked awesome, and could live on land and in the sea. Now that is versatile!