February 21, 2012 at 11:11 PM

The co-ed a cappella ensemble None Of The Above performed during the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon Friday night in the dancer tunnel at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Justin Barrett, music director of NOTA, said he was more nervous to perform at THON than at other venues, but added that he knew his fellow singers supported and trusted him to do a good job.

Barrett (junior-mathematics) said performing at THON was a great experience because it was even more interactive than NOTA’s other performances. He said people would walk by them and join along in their songs.

NOTA performed five songs for the dancers, and Barrett said his favorite was Beyonce’s “End of Time” because it “really pumps everyone up.”

After NOTA performed, they were able to spend some time on the floor of the BJC with dancers, moralers and other students.

Barrett said this was his most memorable experience of the 46-hour-long philanthropy and that he liked seeing the event from the dancers’ perspective.

College-age students don’t always have an opportunity to give back, but THON is Penn State students’ chance, Barrett said.

“THON is a way for the students to give something to the kids and to the community in general,” he said. 

February 19, 2012 at 4:36 PM

The Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon exceeded expectations Sunday afternoon when THON Overalls revealed this year’s total fundraising effort as a record-breaking $10,686,924.83.

THON participants showed that nothing can stop them from fighting to cure pediatric cancer.

Compared to a total of $9,563,016.09 in 2011 and more than $7.8 million in 2010, this year's total kept THON's 40-year tradition of breaking barriers alive.

Many THON participants said recent events, including the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case and the cancelation of one of four scheduled canning trips due to inclement weather, made fundraising difficult this year.

“Obviously it’s a tough year with the canning issues and the scandal,” Morale Committee member Gabi Donchez said.

Donchez (junior-marketing) said that the growth of the total shows not only the Penn State community, but the entire world that “despite any setbacks, we will never stop fighting.”

A packed Bryce Jordan Center watched in awe as THON broke last year's fundraising total of more that $9.5 million just 20 years after reaching $1 million for the very first time.

Sigma Alpha Mu dancer Zachary Macht (senior-supply chain management) said he thinks the fundraising growth may be due to contributions made in honor of the late football coach Joe Paterno, as well as the extended outreach of THON, both within the campus and surrounding geographical areas.

“I’m from West Chester, New York,” he said. “I never saw canners in my neighborhood before, but now that I’m a senior, they’re there.”

Macht said he believes the negativity surrounding the university's recent events did not hinder the growth of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Instead, the increased recognition and support of others is what keeps THON growing every year, he said.

Though the Bryce Jordan Center erupted with the reveal of such a landmark, students understand they are there first and foremost “For the Kids.”

“It might seem weird to outsiders, but it’s about the emotional support we can bring to these families,” Public Relations Overall Kirsten Quisenberry (senior-public relations) said. “THON is about the families first and foremost, and about making sure no one has to go through the battle alone.”

February 19, 2012 at 4:27 PM

Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses demonstrated their commitments to the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon with the reveals of their fundraising totals for 2012.

Penn State Fayette came in first place with $87,942.22, while Penn State Altoona placed second with $82,872.57. Penn State Hazleton entered third with $52,852.10 and Penn State Abington totaled $41,695.96. Penn State Berks came in fifth with $40,306.73.

February 19, 2012 at 4:26 PM

As the clock struck 4 p.m. Sunday, the grand totals for donations to the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon were announced to a hyped Bryce Jordan Center crowd.

Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha topped all of the greek organizations at Penn State with a grand sum of $329,863.76. Following them in second place was Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Sigma Alpha with $244,914.10.

Acacia and Gamma Phi Beta finished in third with $181,577.79. Fourth place went to Sigma Chi and Alpha Omicron Pi who collected $175,752.74.

And in fifth place was Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Chi Omega who brought $161,374.31 to the philanthropy. 

February 19, 2012 at 3:19 PM

To say that Go Go Gadjet shook the Bryce Jordan Center would be an understatement.

The State College-based cover band brought nearly all those in the arena's stands to their feet as the last act to perform at Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Weekend 2012.

"How we doin' Bryce Jordan Center? Let's dance," Go Go Gadjet frontman Jeff Tomrell said, opening the band's fifth performance at THON weekend and continuing a tradition of ending it.

The band opened with Martin Solveig's "Hello," causing the arena to shake with those jumping up and down.

Tomrell's digitally distorted voice shined through on Rihanna's "We Found Love" and Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass."

Four Diamonds Fund families, committee overalls and other volunteers danced on stage with the band as hundreds of balloons dropped from the ceiling onto the dance floor.

The group also went electronic for covers of Avicii's "Levels" and Skrillex's "Cinema," drawing a huge response from audience members.

Tomrell went tender on "My Hero" by Foo Fighters on epic on LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," which featured a dancing Nittany Lion mascot.

Go Go Gadjet finally closed with LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," inviting children to join them along with Four Diamonds Fund child Tucker Haas.

"Thank you for doing what you do," Tomrell said before leaving the stage.

February 19, 2012 at 3:17 PM

The top independent organization fundraisers of the 2012 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon were announced Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Atlas was the top fundraising organization, raking in a total of $369,294.04. Ohana came in second place with $243,842,39. Springfield with $169,699.69, Pillar with $103,300.53 and FOTO with $85,754.91 rounded out the top five.

Tri-STATE, H.E.A.L, Triology, Apollo and A-7 filled out the top 10.

The top fundraisers were announced to thunderous applause, with each organization leaping from the recently-seated crowd in celebration of their respective accomplishments.

The total THON number came in at $10,686,924.83.

February 19, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Family Hour at the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon began with all of the Four Diamonds Families being introduced on by one, and walked across the stage.

Overall Family Relations Chairperson, Kaylee Tully, introduced the Carter Family, who told the story of their son, Bryce, followed by the Beecher Family, who told the story of their son, Charlie, who is now 15 months cancer free.

"We need you, Penn State, to take THON back home, back to your community," said Charlie's father. "Don't let your graduation be your end. Let's march on like Charlie to beat cancer. We are... Penn State."

Founder of the Four Diamonds Club, Charles Millard, also spoke to the crowd, followed by Carrie Myers and Aubrey Minnaugh., who explained that together, they’ve been 40 years cancer free.

The final speaker was THON dancer Vinnie Carrano, who told the story of his older sister, Lauren, who passed away on Feb. 26, 1996 of leukemia.

"For all the hours that I've been here, dancing in her memory, I've never felt closer to [her]...like she is standing right here," Carrano said.

A video montage was shown of all who lost their battle with cancer following the speeches. The crowd in the Bryce Jordan Center watched, silently, linking arms and sharing tissues.

February 19, 2012 at 2:06 PM

After hundreds of Four Diamonds Fund families filed on stage at the packed BJC, Four Diamonds Fund Co-founder Charles Millard expressed his gratitude to the Penn State community.

Millard said the contributions of Penn State students who participate in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon will always be remembered.

February 19, 2012 at 12:56 PM

THON attendees got a blast from the past this afternoon.

Morale captains going as far back as THON 2007 took the main stage to perform old line dances, revealing how times have changed with numerous references to late former head football coach Joe Paterno throughout among other pop culture distractions.

THON 2007's morale captains kicked off the dances, referencing the unfortunately now-defunct Nathan's Famous in the HUB-Robeson Center.

The familiar "Come on lions (aw yeah)" refrain returned with THON 2008's line dance, taking lyrics from Paterno's entry into the College Football Hall of Fame and "Superbad."

Then, THON 2009's morale team came out for a line dance current seniors in the Bryce Jordan Center might have remembered. "Come on 2009, go crazy!" DJ Larry Moore said in introduction.

The line dance contained mentions of Michael Phelps winning big at the Olympics and the introduction of the Nintendo Wii.

The 2010 line dance maligned the United States swine flu outbreak and Tiger Woods marital troubles, while 2011's drew the largest response from audience members with the familiar call of "Penn State, can you hear it?"

Of course, the THON 2012 moralers ended the historic dances for one of the last times this year's line dance will be performed at THON Weekend 2012.

February 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM

Jay Paterno said he only collected one item that was left at his father’s statue – a THON 2012 mug.

After his father Joe Paterno passed away, thousands of people placed items at the foot of the bronze statue outside Beaver Stadium.

Paterno said the mug sits on his desk and reminds him every day what Penn State truly means.

During THON, Paterno took the time to thank the Penn State community for its continued support throughout the last few “emotional” months.

Paterno challenged people who are not familiar with Penn State to visit during THON weekends.

“When the world wants to see courage and what leadership is, let them come to THON,” Paterno said.