THON is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy that aims to provide emotional and financial support to Four Diamonds families who have been impacted by childhood cancer. Though it’s a massive operation today, it started from much humbler beginnings.
As the 53rd THON Weekend approaches, take a look at the story of a Penn State tradition’s remarkable evolution through Collegian reporting.
1973: First Interfraternity Council dance marathon
According to Collegian archives, the first dance marathon was hosted in 1973 when “the Interfraternity Council sponsored a dance marathon in the HUB Ballroom.”
Dancers participated for 30 hours from Friday evening to midnight on Sunday, with 17 of the 39 couples that entered completing the full run. Cris Guenter and Sam Walker won the contest, who were “chosen on a point system, with couples receiving a point for each minute danced and each dollar donated in their name.”
The total of $2,000 went toward what is now known as the Arc of Butler County, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
1977: Partnership with Four Diamonds
In 1977, the IFC selected the Four Diamonds Cancer Fund of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to be the charity to receive funds from the dance marathon.
According to Collegian archives, the fund was created by the University’s Board of Trustees to “help pay for the medical expenses of children with cancer.”
The 1977 IFC Dance Marathon generated a record-breaking total, receiving $28,685 in pledges and donations. Four Diamonds became the sole THON beneficiary that year, and the partnership has continued ever since.
1979: Dance marathon moves to White Building
The dance marathon had been held in the HUB Ballroom since its inception in 1973. This changed in 1979, when the event outgrew the ballroom and relocated to the nearby White Building.
This year, dancers no longer competed against each other. Instead, they had a shared goal of standing throughout the full 48 hour event.
According to Collegian archives, dancers occupied themselves with “calisthenics, snowballs, squirt guns and line dances” to stay engaged, raising $72,132 in the process.
1983: Dance marathon breaks $100,000 record
According to Collegian archives, 355 dancers completed the 1983 IFC Dance Marathon in three divisions: Greek, independent and Commonwealth campus. The fraternity/sorority couple of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and Delta Delta Delta sorority raised the most money with $26,200.
The total proceeds of the event reached an all-time high of $131,181 — the first time the dance marathon raised over $100,000.
