As a fresh Penn Stater, understanding the difference between a THON committee and a THON organization is a bit difficult. THON in general is a bit difficult to wrap your head around. Luckily, my older brother went to Penn State, and so I had someone to explain the situation to me. For those who are not as fortunate as I, yesterday evening's New To THON offered students the opportunity to attain a solid foundation of what makes THON tick.
With committee applications out and special interest organizations beginning to meet, the THON 2012 season is quickly getting underway. This evening, THON will host will host New to THON for students who haven't previously been involved in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
For those of you who are new to Penn State or live under a rock, the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (aka THON) is probably the biggest thing at Penn State besides football. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and has raised over $78 million since 1973 for the Four Diamonds Fund. THON 2012 will be happening February 17th-19th, but the time to get involved is now.
Since THON is such a big deal and almost every club, sport, or organization participates, there are literally hundreds of opportunities. The most common way is to join a THON committee. There are 11 committees that need about 3,500 students to help make THON 2012 the best it possibly can be. We're here to help you pick the right one and give some tips on the process.
Yesterday evening, the 2012 THON Captains received a long-awaited knock on their doors, informing them of their new positions. In lieu of the addition to this year's THON assembly, committee member applications are now available, and we know you're itching to fill them out.
One thing that has surely crossed all minds is THON. While we are only beginning to wonder about the upcoming THON year, Overall Elaine Tanella, and a good number of other THON overalls and captains have been hard at work all summer. To pull off the spectacle that is THON, you need an entire year. In the hopes of satisfying your FTK curiosity, I talked with Elaine to see what they have been up to during our absence from Happy Valley and to get to know the person who is heading up this mission.
It is with a heavy heart that I write of the passing of Alexia Barnett, one of Penn State's beloved THON children.