Impact

IST students power THON technology

It’s Monday at about 9 p.m. and some 20 THON technology captains make their way to 365 Willard for their weekly committee meeting. The atmosphere is laid back and fun, yet the agenda always seem to be jam-packed with things to do. As the night progresses, the students push on, and don’t leave until they finish their work. For them, putting in time always is worthwhile, especially since it’s for THON, and by extension, "For the Kids."

THON, Penn State’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The event is aimed at conquering childhood cancer, and raised more than $7.4 million in 2009. The yearlong fundraising effort culminates in February, with a 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Several committees are part of THON, including the Technology Committee. The THON technology captains, split up into different teams, are responsible for everything technology, from the PASS system, a Web application used to control access to the floor during THON, using PHP, MySQL, and networking, to THINK, THON’s information network, an information management system designed to supervise what’s going on within THON and its organizers to Thon.org, THON’s Web site.

However, several students also can be seen in the IST building, as the majority of the captains are part of the College of IST. With their commitment to THON as well as their academics, they tend to run into each other often, in and out of the classroom.

“Being able to see them in the halls of the IST building and bounce ideas off of them has been a big help,” said Chase Tralka, a junior majoring in IST and SRA. “We hang out together and help each other out with schoolwork.”

The students use their skills gained from IST and apply it to their positions as technology captains. Tim Nary (also a junior majoring in IST and SRA) said the skills learned in the classroom have helped him with his role as a THINK developer.

“I've worked with PHP and MySQL in IST 210 -- Organization of Data, which is great because THINK utilizes them to manipulate data and complex arrays and store it in the database,” he said. “You also can't help but look at THON as a giant project after taking IST 302 -- Project Management.”

Kayla Wells (a senior majoring in IST) said the emphasis on group work in IST classes has made it easier for her to work in the committee, which comprised of some people she did not know at first.

“I really like what a family the technology committee has become,” she said. “Throwing a group of people together who have similar, but not equal interests, who come from all different backgrounds and seeing how we formed, bonded and became a family is really incredible.”

Zack Gable (also a junior majoring in IST and SRA) said as a soon-to-be graduating senior, the people skills gained in IST have helped him throughout his four years and most likely beyond.

“A lot of the IST classes I have been in have taught me to speak my voice when needed and have therefore developed me into a better leader,” he said. “IST prepares people for the real world in that it all revolves around many other people.”

As THON weekend approaches, the captains said they were looking forward to see more than one year's worth of work pay off. Rob Tomaro (also a junior majoring in IST and SRA) is looking forward to more than just seeing the work unfold.

“I’m looking forward to see the kids running around and playing, enjoying themselves by escaping the stressful and hard times they face on a daily basis,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the best weekend in my Penn State career.”

Last Updated February 23, 2010