Relationship With Penn State

As Penn State has grown over the years, it has become harder and harder to keep the student body ­ now 80,000 strong ­ connected. This was traditionally a job for Intercollegiate Athletics, but through its history THON has shared more and more of the load. Today, THON is one of the greatest unifying factors for students and alumni from all across the Commonwealth and Nation.

The unity that THON creates is critical to Penn State because it engenders one of our greatest traditions: Penn State Pride. THON reminds all of us about the unique atmosphere at Penn State. THON generates great publicity for the University and raises money for kids who will be treated through The Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Children’s Hospital. Perhaps most important, however, is THON’s contribution to the education of students here. Through their volunteer efforts, THON teaches students about the spirit of giving and about being productive members of a community. This lesson stays with them for the rest of their lives, helping to define what a Penn State graduate really is.

All of this, of course, could never have been possible without the University it is a part of. Hundreds of Dance Marathons happen across the country. Why is Penn State’s at the top? In the end, the thing that makes THON so successful is the very same thing that THON helps create: Penn State Pride. In this way, the University and Dance Marathon feed off of one another and, as a result, continue both of their traditions of excellence.