THON 2025: How Penn State alumni can get involved

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — THON 2025 is only a few weeks away, Feb. 21-23, and the Penn State alumni community is set to celebrate the special weekend. Alumni can support and engage with the world's largest student-run philanthropy, including attending an event hosted by an Alumni Association affiliate group, and tuning into the livestream.

Livestream

THON 2025 will feature a livestream via the Bellisario College of Communications’ live broadcast, 46Live, for those who want to tune into the 46-hour dance marathon.

Bookmark THON’s website for the 46-hour livestream.

Pep Rally White Out

For the seventh consecutive year, the Alumni Association will sponsor the THON Pep Rally, set for Saturday evening, Feb. 22.

The Pep Rally is among the most popular events at THON, featuring multiple performances by Penn State Athletics teams on stage at the Bryce Jordan Center, appearances by special guests, and an arena-wide Penn State “White Out,” a nod to the annual Penn State football tradition that brings together alumni, students, and friends in a unified show of support.

“The Penn State Alumni Association is proud to continue our long-standing support of THON,” Alumni Association interim executive officer Ryan Jones said. “THON Weekend unites the global Penn State community, and our 788,000-plus alumni are proud to support our students in this fight.”

Jones will kick off the pep rally by welcoming the crowd and encouraging the dancers, letting them know they have the full support of the alumni network.

“Seeing everyone come together during THON is so inspiring,” Jones said. “Whether it’s by watching the livestream, donating to THON, or supporting the effort in your own way, the Alumni Association invites all Penn Staters to join the fight against childhood cancer.”

The inaugural Pep Rally White Out in 2019 wasn’t announced ahead of time and was an energetic surprise for the dancers and crowd.

“Penn State is built on tradition and helping create a new one was something really special,” said LuLu Ungerman, director of regional engagement for the Alumni Association. Ungerman served as the alumni engagement director on the THON Executive Committee during her senior year in 2019 and helped organize the first Pep Rally White Out, working with the Alumni Association to coordinate its sponsorship and partnership of the event.

“The fact it has continued to grow speaks to the energy, pride, and unity that make Penn State so unique. What started as a small idea became a lasting part of THON Weekend because of the passion and dedication of Penn Staters everywhere.”

The Alumni Association will provide 12,000 T-shirts to dancers and THON attendees ahead of the pep rally Saturday evening at the BJC. Each year’s commemorative shirt denotes the specific year the student attended THON.

View photos from last year’s pep rally.

Alumni Hour

Set for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22), Jones and Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group volunteer leaders will thank the dancers and share details about how all Penn State students can stay connected to THON after graduation. During this time, the entire crowd and all dancers will unite for the singing of the alma mater.

“THON doesn’t end after graduation,” Jones said. “As part of our mission, the Alumni Association aims to keep Penn Staters connected to what they’re passionate about, and THON is at the top of that list.”

Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group

The Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG) is one of the most active of the Alumni Association’s 250 affiliate groups. This passionate community of alumni raises awareness, volunteers time and provides philanthropic support to champion the efforts of THON.

One of the ways alumni can support THON and get involved with DMAIG is with the Hope From Coast 2 Coast virtual run that will take place the week leading up to THON. Since its inception in 2016, alumni have collectively run over 6,000 miles and donated over $130,000 to THON through this annual event.

Visit DMAIG’s website for more info and to learn how you can advocate, support and become a champion for THON.

Alumni Dancers

One of the most visible ways that alumni can stay engaged with THON is by dancing. THON 2025 will feature six alumni dancers, representing DMAIG, listed below with their dancer numbers.

• Isabel DeBernardis and Allison Schrass (247A and B)
• Caroline Conroy and Olivia Meyers (246A and B)
• Anthony D’Orazio and Connor Wolff (256A and B)

Student Dancers

Leaders from two student organizations, Lion Ambassadors and Blue & White Society, will dance in THON to cap their year-long fundraising effort. They are:

Lion Ambassadors:

• Sarah Fryman 223B
• Sam Waters 233A

Blue & White Society

• Lindsay Edelman 23A
• Elizabeth Chin 23B
• Joanna Golemboski 24A
• Sarah Preston 24B

Dancer Mail

During alumni trips to the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl, Penn Staters traveling on the Official Penn State Bowl Tour wrote dancer mail to encourage this year’s dancers. The mail will be hand-delivered to this year’s dancers to keep them inspired and motivated during the 46-hour effort.

Affiliate Group Events

In addition to DMAIG, many of our chapters fundraise for THON year-round. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the fundraisers that our affiliate groups host to support THON. 

Atlanta Chapter

In late January, the chapter hosted the 18th annual Diamonds Over Georgia Pediatric Cancer Gala. The event raised more than $63,000 for Four Diamonds. For the fourth consecutive year, the gala sold out and also received support from several sponsors. Held at The Golf Club of Georgia at Alpharetta, attendees enjoyed a plated dinner and dancing and contributed funds via a silent auction. 

Additionally, the chapter hosted a watch party for the men’s basketball game against UCLA on Saturday, Feb. 8. 

Baltimore Chapter

The chapter hosted its third annual Charm City Gala Benefit Event for Four Diamonds on Saturday, Feb. 8. The evening featured a buffet dinner, music, dancing, and raffle and silent auction prizes, special guests and more. 

Chicago Chapter

On Feb. 1, our volunteer leaders in The Second City hosted Night for the Cure, the chapter’s annual THON fundraiser. Since 2013, Penn State Chicago has raised over $109,000 for THON.

Northern New Jersey

Each year, the chapter organizes a watch party that coincides with the men’s basketball team’s THON game. This year’s event is set for Saturday, Feb. 15, at Miller’s Ale House in Parsippany. If you're interested in attending this event, email pennstatenj@gmail.com.

Philadelphia Chapter

The 20th annual Liberty Ball Gala is set for Saturday, Feb. 22, during THON Weekend. The event is set for 7 p.m.-Midnight, at the Crystal Tea Room. Visit the chapter’s website to purchase tickets or donate online. 

Pittsburgh Chapter

This year’s Blue White Ball, the chapter’s annual THON fundraiser, is set for 6-9 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at the Andy Warhol Museum. Registration is open until Monday, Feb. 24. 

The Blue White Ball was founded in 2008 by two Pittsburgh-area Penn State alumni who wanted to support THON's mission and purpose. Last year, the chapter broke its own record by raising more than $39,000.