After wrapping up THON 2021 on Feb. 21, a new executive director has been named for THON 2022.Â
Kate Colgan, the rules and regulations fundraising safety director for THON 2021, has been selected for the position.
We are thrilled to announce the THON 2022 Executive Director, Kate Colgan! We are excited to watch your goals and visions for THON 2022 take flight over the next year and beyond. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do, For The Kids®! pic.twitter.com/5Csf41bUDE Penn State THON⢠(@THON) March 12, 2021
Colgan (senior-public relations) joined THON in 2018, though she participated in mini THONs since middle school, according to THON s website.
In an unprecedented move by Penn State and Four Diamonds authorities, THON was shifted to a virtual format this year due to rising public health concerns from the coronavirus pandemic.
THON dancers and attendees were no longer allowed inside the Bryce Jordan Center, and performers and dance captains had limited access to the main stage. Proceedings were broadcasted by 46 Live on THONâs website.
Despite THON 2021 being Dhanesh Ranaweeraâs senior THON, the four-year OPPerations Committee member said he was relatively unphased by the virtual shift.
âI think they did their best for what it was,â Ranaweera (senior-chemical engineering) said. âI know the captains worked very hard to establish a great THON weekend, and I think it went perfectly.â
The 46-hour dance marathon was held virtually this year due to the pandemic.
Among those taking part was Makenzie Tobin. She s a senior at Penn State.
This year, THON raised $10,638,078.62.
Jillian Pikora The Penn State THON dance marathon concluded Sunday in Pennsylvania.Typically thousands of dancers and volunteers gather at Penn State s Bryce Jordan Center, where they stay on their feet for 46 hours straight to raise money for pediatric cancer research.Those dancers participated from their own homes this year. Last year, students were able to raise more than $11.5 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital.This year s total was $10,638,078.62This is a less than last year s total, but given the changes due to the pandemic it is still very impressive. The current record is $13.34 million raised in 2014. Over the past 47 years, the 46 hour dance marathon has raised over $178 million. The money raised helps children and their families fight cancer.THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support