Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

Thon

Penn State is so big that popularity is hard to judge. Every student is different and makes friends their own way. I have made many friends through the dorm floor, classes, and various clubs I have been in. Football games are very popular events in the fall. I met my closest friends from my dorm floor freshman year, and we introduced each other to our other friends and became a big group that is very close to this day!

Here at PSU we have close to 900 student organizations! There is definitely something for everyone. If you cannot find a student org to join that interests you, then you are encouraged to start your own! We have everything from Greek life, musical groups, dance ensembles, honor societies, and volunteer work. We even have a Harry Potter club, My Name is Bob club, Cookie of the Month club and Penn State Pizza Eaters club. One of the most widely known student activities on campus is the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. THON is year-long fundraising effort that engages more than 15,000 students in the fight against pediatric cancer. It culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon held every February. There are tons of ways to get involved either directly in THON by being a Committee Member or Captain or getting involved with fundraising through a separate student organization who benefits THON. At PSU, there are also various levels of athletics. We have intramural, which is the least competitive. There are also club sports, which compete regionally and nationally. Finally, we have division 1 athletics. On the weekends, there is something called Late Night Penn State in the student union building, commonly referred to as the the HUB. Late Night features free movies that are out of theaters but not yet on DVD. There are also free crafts, concerts, comedians, and laser tag along with discounted Sbarro pizza and Starbucks!

Here at PSU we have close to 900 student organizations! There is definitely something for everyone. If you cannot find a student org to join that interests you, then you are encouraged to start your own! We have everything from Greek life, musical groups, dance ensembles, honor societies, and volunteer work. We even have a Harry Potter club, My Name is Bob club, Cookie of the Month club and Penn State Pizza Eaters club. One of the most widely known student activities on campus is the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. THON is year-long fundraising effort that engages more than 15,000 students in the fight against pediatric cancer. It culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon held every February. There are tons of ways to get involved either directly in THON by being a Committee Member or Captain or getting involved with fundraising through a separate student organization who benefits THON. At PSU, there are also various levels of athletics. We have intramural, which is the least competitive. There are also club sports, which compete regionally and nationally. Finally, we have division 1 athletics. On the weekends, there is something called Late Night Penn State in the student union building, commonly referred to as the the HUB. Late Night features free movies that are out of theaters but not yet on DVD. There are also free crafts, concerts, comedians, and laser tag along with discounted Sbarro pizza and Starbucks!

I think probably the most prevalent student organizations revolve around THON. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and many Penn State students are actively involved in helping the cause: fighting pediatric cancer. Then, there's football. That's probably a major source of Penn State's fame. The games are incredible, and you really cannot go through your four years of undergrad without attending at least one game; it just completes the Penn State experience.

Sororities and fraternities are very popular. There are also a lot of dance groups including the one I'm in, the international dance ensemble which has about 50 people and we learn about 10 dances from other countries taught by people from those countries and perform them at an end of the semester show. Some students leave doors open in dorms but that fades as the semester goes on. Athletic events are ridiculously popular. There are some great guest speakers that come here, from Jane Goodall to Obama to Cousteau. A lot of hooking up but there are also many great guys in science majors who want a relationship. I met my closest friends through dancing events and clubs on campus. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm studying. I played board games, studied, and went to a ballroom dance social last weekend. There is something called late night every thursday-saturday night where you can make a craft, watch a recent movie, play board games, go to a dance plus other activities that change throughout the semester. Off campus, you can hang out at somebody's apartment, go to the movies, go bowling, paint pottery at 2000 degrees, go to applebees' trivia night, go ice skating, hike mount nittany, etc.

The most popular student activities are the obvious ones. Joining a sorority or fraternity is a big part of my school. There is actually a whole block dedicated to these groups. I am not yet in a sorority but I will be pledging my next semester. These are important because they help people feel even more connected with our school and other students.

Being in a social fraternity and a pre-law fraternity I feel that I am qualified to say that being a part of Greek life is probably the most important, entertaining, and fulfilling decisions I have made during my undergraduate years here at Penn State. I have an enormous social group due to these organizations and more opportunities/connections for later down the road than I know what to do with.

THON is a 46 hour dance marathon that takes place at Penn State every year. It is the largest student run fundraiser in the world and a great tradition at PSU.

Promo Video for the 2008 Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon