When the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal broke in State College, judgment fell very quickly about what Penn State stood for. Many wanted to see the university burn to the ground. There was a huge backlash against Penn State and the administration and rightfully so, but one thing was forgotten…the students. The student body rallied for the victims, each other and embodied all Penn State has stood for.

The night before the first football game after the news broke the students cancelled the pep rally and had a candlelight prayer vigil in front of “Old Main.” Thousands of students were joined online as over 100,000 Alumni and Penn State friends and family from around the world lit candles and prayed also.

Saturdays game against Nebraska students gathered outside the gates of Beaver Stadium and asked for donation to help prevent child abuse. Over $500,000 was raised from the donations. PSU students showed the world that the scandal was not who they were. PSU’s Alma Mater last lines read like this:

May no act of ours bring shame

To one heart that loves thy name,

May our lives but swell thy fame,

Dear old State, dear old State

Unfortunately little attention was paid to the students as they rallied around each other and Penn State. They did what they have always done at Penn State help others. That was even more evident in February as THON came around. THON is a 46 hour dance marathon that raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund. Four Diamonds Fund is for childhood cancer research at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and much more. The Four Diamonds Fund picks up where insurance leaves off, enabling families to solely focus on care for their child. Assistance from the Four Diamonds Fund ensures counselors, social workers, music therapists and other specialists are available to provide comprehensive care in a family-focused atmosphere.

THON is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. Over 15,000 students run THON from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in hopes of finding a cure. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $101 million. In 2013 THON raised a record-breaking $12.37 million.

THON 2014 will take place from February 21st-23rd. You can help find a cure by giving: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1218/thon/2012/wide.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=920&cid=3683&appealcode=THON

This is why WE ARE PENN STATE! Here is a great documentary about THON.